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April 2017

Blue Cross, BCN will no longer cover Glumetza®, starting April 1

To provide the best value for our members, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network commercial plans will no longer cover brand-name and generic versions of Glumetza®, effective April 1, 2017. Blue Cross members currently using these medications will be covered through April 30.

Glumetza is used to treat diabetes.

Blue Cross and BCN will provide coverage for generic Glucophage®, generic Glucophage® XR and generic Fortamet®. Here’s a look at the price comparison based on the average cost for a 30-day supply:

Drugs not covered, beginning April 1

Covered alternatives

Glumetza 500mg (metformin ER)

$7,412**

Metformin HCL 500mg (Glucophage)

$ 66**

Metformin HCL 850mg (Glucophage)

$ 96^^

Glumetza 1,000mg (metformin ER)  

$8,016**

Metformin HCL1,000mg (Glucophage)

$ 71**

Metformin HCL ER 500mg (Glucophage XR)

$100**

metformin HCL ER 500mg (Glumetza)

$6,671**

Metformin HCL ER 750mg (Glucophage XR)

$71^

Metformin HCL ER 500mg (Fortamet)

$1,742**

metformin HCL ER 1,000mg (Glumetza)

$7,213**

Metformin HCL ER 1,000mg (Fortamet)

$1,567**

**Approximate cost for a 30-day supply based on daily dose of 2,000mg/day and the average wholesale price. 
^Approximate cost for a 30-day supply based on daily dose of 1,500mg/day and the average wholesale price.
^^Approximate cost for a 30-day supply based on daily dose of 2,550mg/day and the average wholesale price.

If you prescribe Glumetza, discuss the covered alternatives with your patients.

No portion of this publication may be copied without the express written permission of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, except that BCBSM participating health care providers may make copies for their personal use. In no event may any portion of this publication be copied or reprinted and used for commercial purposes by any party other than BCBSM.

*CPT codes, descriptions and two-digit numeric modifiers only are copyright 2016 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and
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