Currently, IAFF Local 421 as a Grievance on file with the City of Lansing in regard to BCBS Pharmacy Initiatives. Attached you will find the letter that President Epling sent to the City of Lansing Human Resource Director, Terri Singleton in regard to these initiatives and the subsequent Grievance that was filed. Please take the time to read the letter, as it will give you a better understanding of the situation. Also, attached you will find the BCBS Pharamcy Initiatives, please read each initiative and determine if they have or have not impacted you and/or your family.

Some of the possible changes you may have been subject to and are possibly unaware are the following:

1. You may have received a letter from BCBS in regard to your prescripion utilization, such as, a letter stating that there are lower costs generics available and that you need to finish taking your medication and contact you physician and ask him/her to prescribe a generic and/or a over the counter equivalent. If your physician does not get prior approval form BCBS to continue prescribing the medication and you continue taking the medication, you will be responsible for the entire cost of the drug.

2. You may have been automatically switched to a generic prescription, eventhough, you have been taking a Brand Name drug and/or request to pay the $20.00 co-pay. Essentially, you may not be able to obtain the Brand Name when you request and are mandated to use the generic alternative.

3. Your dose regiment may have changed automatically without any notice to you or your primary and/or secondary provider (specialist). I.e., You currently have a 30 day supply at 10mg, 2 x's a day and were automatically changed to 20mg, 1 time per day.

4. You might be told that you need to utilize a drug for 90 days and that your members physician must provide evidence of a medical necessity for the Brand Name drug to be covered. Otherwise, you will be responsible for the FULL COST of the brand-name drug.

If you have experienced any changes, such as those above or after reading the Pharmacy Initiatives, you feel that these initiative have impacted you we are asking that you document the situation and foreward your information to either President Epling or Vice President Lake as soon as possible.

Respectfully Submitted,

Bryan P. Epling, President

Lansing Fire Fighters IAFF L421