title: Some suffer adjustment pains as Blue Cross changes drug-benefit program on East Coast.
abstract: Blue Cross of Atlantic Canada has revised its drug-benefit program by restricting the number of drugs eligible for automatic benefits. The program still covers more than 3000 medications, but not items such as nicotine-replacement products, antihistamines, or cough and cold medications. The centrepiece of the revised program is a "special-authorization" process that affects about 140 expensive but "commonly prescribed" drugs such as antidepressant products and medications for migraine treatment. Although may applaud the not-for-profit corporation's intentions, some doctors and patients have experienced difficulty adjusting to the changes.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Robb
mesh_terms: D054598:Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans; D002170:Canada; D006801:Humans; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services