ACQUISITION COST INDEX
Acquisition Cost Index (or ACI) is a proprietary national database updated daily and reflects the acquisition cost that pharmacies across the country pay for the prescription drugs they purchase. ACI washes out all of the markups that occur in prescription drug pricing. The ACI reflects the true cost of the drug to the pharmacy.
HOW DOES ACI WORK?
Pharmacy Benefits Managers (or PBM's) are paid on a per script basis rather than marking up the price allowing a margin in the cost of the drug. Average Wholesale Price (or AWP) for brand drugs and Maximum Allowable Cost (or MAC) for generic drugs are no longer used to develop the ingredient cost for prescription for health plan.
FAQ'S ABOUT ACI
WHO CAN UTILIZE ACI?
All self-funded employers are eligible for ACI
WHAT RETAILERS ACCEPT ACI?
All retailers have accepted ACI pricing except
for Walgreens but Walgreens can still be
maintained in your pharmacy program
WILL I HAVE ANY PLAN CHANGES?
To begin ACI, no copay or plan
design changes are necessary