State must re-bid Rx contract

Although state Comptroller Alan Hevesi has called for the state Department of Civil Service to re-bid the three-year $4.9 billion contract for prescription drug coverage for Empire Plan enrollees, the program will continue without interruption under Empire Blue Cross/Caremark while the re-bidding is conducted.

Hevesi said the selected proposal from Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield/Caremark did not meet bid requirements because after the initial submission, Empire Blue Cross was allowed to change its bid three times in order to meet mandatory requirements. This is a violation of contracting rules designed to ensure fair competition.

However, under an agreement reached previously to prevent disruption of essential medical coverage, Empire Blue Cross/Caremark will continue to provide drug coverage under an emergency contract through 2007.

Empire Blue Cross/Caremark may submit a new bid as part of a new competitive process ordered by the comptroller. The complete text of the comptroller’s press release is available at www.osc.state.ny.us.
— Deborah Stayman

The Communicator April 2006

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