Pharmacy and Preferred Drug List

The CountyCare PDL, also known as the Formulary, includes a wide variety of generic and brand name drugs. Clinicians are encouraged to prescribe from the CountyCare PDL for their patients who are members of CountyCare.

Morphine Equivalent Dose (MED)
Calculator Tool

Please use this MED Calculator to calculate total daily morphine milligram equivalents.

CountyCare works with CVS Caremark to administer pharmacy benefits, including the pharmacy prior authorization process. CountyCare requires prior authorization for select drugs on the PDL as well as ALL drugs not on the PDL. The PDL indicates which drugs require prior authorization.  Most specialty drugs are not on the PDL and require prior authorization as described below.

Follow these steps for efficient processing of your pharmacy prior authorization requests:

1. Complete and submit the online Medication Request Form or fax the printed Caremark Medication Request Form or Universal PA Form to 1-866-255-7569. Include detailed clinical information that will help CVS Caremark understand the need for the drug being requested.
2. Fax to CVS Caremark at 1-866-255-7569.
3. Once approved, CVS Caremark notifies the prescriber by fax and member by letter.
4. For urgent or after-hours requests, a pharmacy can provide up to a 72-hour supply of most medications by calling the CVS Caremark Pharmacy Help Desk at: 1-800-364-6331.
5. All pharmacy prior authorization requests for CountyCare members should be submitted to CVS Caremark.

For pharmacy-related questions, please email CountyCarePharmacy@cookcountyhhs.org. The CountyCare Pharmacy Help Desk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-833-845-4702 to help you process your prescriptions.

For member-related questions, please have members contact CountyCare Member Services at 312-864-8200.