A pharmacy benefits manager manages members’ prescriptions and pharmacy needs.

ASCENDpbm is an industry-leading pharmacy benefit manager focusing on our patients, their experiences, and outcomes. Members have experienced cost savings and excellent customer service. By switching, the plan sponsor (or employer) will gain efficiencies by having ASCENDpbm as their primary PBM.

Typically employers assess PBM performance annually.  Member services, cost savings, and customer service are key factors in their assessment.

Your employer has selected ASCENDpbm, an industry-leading pharmacy benefit manager, with a focus on you as the patient, your experience, and your outcomes.  ASCENDpbm offers unique programs to generate savings for employees and their family members and is recognized for its commitment to excellent customer service.

Members should experience little change, beyond an updated insurance card, in the transition to ASCENDpbm. Some may be notified or contacted to inform them of savings programs available to lower the cost of their prescriptions.

ASCENDpbm is an industry-leading pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) with a focus on the patient, their experience, and outcomes. Members have experienced cost savings and great customer service. By switching, the plan sponsor (or employer) will gain efficiencies by having ASCENDpbm as their primary PBM.

In addition, ASCEND has over 65,000+ pharmacies in their network, including CVS®, Walgreens®, and Rite Aid® pharmacies, which are easily accessible for most members in their service area. There are also several 24-hour locations, so members can pick up prescriptions any time of the day or night. (You can confirm if your pharmacy has a 24-hour pharmacy prior to picking up).

ASCEND has over 65,000+ pharmacies in their network, including CVS®, Walgreens®, and Rite Aid® pharmacies, which are easily accessible for most members in their service area.  To check if your pharmacy is ‘in network’ or to find a network pharmacy near you, use the pharmacy finder tool.

• Members will experience savings by using ‘in-network’ pharmacies.

• Pharmacists at ‘network pharmacies’ have access to your prescription insurance.

• Your ‘in network’ pharmacist will see if you’re responsible for any prescription costs (e.g., your copay, any applicable coinsurance or deductible)

By using Mail Order for maintenance medications, you can:

• Receive an extended supply of medicine

• Enjoy convenient, free delivery to a location of your choice

• Speak with a registered pharmacist 24 hours a day

• Order refills online or by phone 24 hours a day

Please note: Not all prescription drug benefit plans offer mail-order service. Please check your plan’s Benefits Guide or call the Member Help Desk at (833) 200-5040 to learn if your plan offers mail-order service.

ASCEND has a comprehensive list of covered drugs, also referred to as a Formulary or Preferred Drug List. It includes the most commonly covered medications with information about drug tiers and any restrictions or special requirements.

We may add or remove drugs from the formulary during the year. This includes changes to prior authorization requirements, step therapy, quantity limits, and/or moving a drug to a higher cost-sharing tier.

Specialty Medications are often expensive and prescribed to treat rare or complex diseases like cancer, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune diseases, and rare genetic conditions.  These medications often require special handling and additional services to support patients and are only available from select pharmacies known as Specialty Pharmacies. 

You can call the Member Help Desk at (833) 200-5040 or OptiMed at (877) 232-2857. A care specialist will help you transition your specialty prescription.

Review your plan’s Benefits Guide for up-to-date member costs for prescriptions. Members will be contacted if there are additional savings opportunities available for the medications they have been prescribed.