Prescription Drugs: Generic Versus Brand

BCBSTX Connect Team
Prescription Drugs: Generic Versus Brand
1 minute read time

Stay Connected

Get News & Updates Directly To Your Inbox

Sign up now

Go Mobile
with the
BCBSTX App

Download the BCBSTX App. Your coverage information in the palm of your hand.



Go Mobile

Provider Finder®

Find A Doctor Or Hospital In Your Network.

Find A Doctor
Options
Home » Blogs » Prescription Drugs: Generic Versus Brand

Lee esto en Español

Understanding generic drugs — and how they differ from brand drugs — can help you manage your prescription drug costs.

Breaking Down Generic Drugs

Generic drugs can be used two ways:

  • Generic equivalents are made the exact same active ingredients as the brand drug and are often offered at the same dose level.
  • Generic alternatives are used to treat the same health problems as the brand drug, but the active ingredients are different.

Most times generic drugs cost less than brand drugs. Ask your doctor if a generic drug is right for you.

Create a Custom View of Your Drug Claims

Blue Access for MembersSM lets you customize the way you view your health insurance claims. By narrowing your search to drug claims, you can browse the Claim Center to see all drug claims for you and the dependents covered by your plan. This view makes it easy to see which claims have been paid, not paid and processed.

Get Details Online

Click any tag to find more Connect articles about drug choices and uses. You can also visit our website to learn about drug lists, dispensing limits, pharmacy programs and more information about your prescription coverage.

Source: Generic Drugs, Questions & Answers,   U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2021

Originally published 4/7/2015; Revised 2020, 2022, 2024

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, a Division of Health Care Service Corporation,
a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association

© Copyright 2024 Health Care Service Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Telligent is an operating division of Verint Americas, Inc., an independent company that provides and hosts an online community platform for blogging and access to social media for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas.

leaving site icon File is in portable document format (PDF). To view this file, you may need to install a PDF reader program. Most PDF readers are a free download. One option is Adobe® Reader® which has a built-in screen reader. Other Adobe accessibility tools and information can be downloaded at https://access.adobe.com.

leaving site icon You are leaving this website/app ("site"). This new site may be offered by a vendor or an independent third party. The site may also contain non-Medicare related information. Some sites may require you to agree to their terms of use and privacy policy.

Powered by Telligent