If you take prescription medications, you may be able to save money by asking your physician to prescribe generic medications rather than brand-name ones. Generics have the same ingredients as brand-name medications. But generics cost less.

Generic medications contain the same active ingredients and act the same as brand-name medications, but they are usually made by another company. The table at right shows a list of some brand-name medications that have recently become available in generic form.

* The generic version of Fosamax (alendronate) should be available in early 2008.

To find out whether a generic or brand-name medication is covered by your plan, check your formulary. Do this on our Web site at www.HorizonBlue.com/Medicare or call the toll-free number on your Horizon BCBSNJ ID card.