CVS Pharmacy said it was not its "desire or decision" to leave a Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama pharmacy network providing coverage for 390,000 policyholders, reports AL.com.
Effective Jan. 1, CVS Pharmacy went out of network with BCBS of Alabama and its pharmacy benefit manager, Prime Therapeutics, for members with health plans purchased through the federal marketplace. Affected policyholders represent 13 percent of BCBS of Alabama's membership.
"CVS Pharmacy continues to accept all commercial plans offered by BCBS [of] Alabama, which are typically through large employers and other groups of over 50 participants," Gary Serby, director of corporate communications for CVS, said in a statement to AL.com. "CVS Pharmacy also continues to accept all BCBS [of] Alabama Medicare Part D plans."
The insurer said the change is a result of increasing prescription drug costs. Affected policyholders, who were notified in November, will need to visit a different pharmacy to pay in-network rates for prescriptions.