Capital Blue Cross and Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company (MCCPDC) announced a collaboration to allow Capital members and community organizers to access lower-cost prescription drugs via MCCPDC.

MCCPDC is a public-benefit corporation and online pharmacy that provides patients access to medications at a lower cost by working directly with distributors and manufacturers, bypassing what Mark Cuban called "the middlemen."

The company charges MCCPDC's cost plus a 15% margin, a $3 per-prescription dispensing fee and shipping.

Capital's site says that if members have Capital Blue Cross prescription coverage, they will have to pay for their drug, then submit a claim for reimbursement if the medication is covered under their plan. 

In 2023, Capital's members can use their insurance cards at MCCPDC directly. 

“Capital’s collaboration with Cost Plus Drugs will help us bring lower-cost medications to members and nonmembers alike across our service area, providing some much-needed relief to those struggling to pay for their vital – and sometimes life-saving – medications,” Capital Blue Cross President and CEO Todd Shamash said in a statement.

THE LARGER TREND

According to two reports recently released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, drug prices have risen beyond the inflation rate, illustrating the urgency for addressing mounting prescription costs. 

Transcarent, a healthcare platform for self-insured employers, offers Transcarent Pharmacy Care, allowing its members to search for the lowest-cost drug options and compare prices across pharmacies. The company's members can also transfer a prescription with Transcarent's app if needed.

Health tech company Prescryptive Health launched MyRx.io, a mobile platform allowing users to access pharmacy services, such as finding prescription benefit information, drug shopping, and scheduling appointments for vaccines or other pharmacy-provided care.

The platform also provides users suggestions on alternative drug options they can discuss with their doctor, compare cash and health plan prices and find manufacturer coupons.