Blue Shield of California announced the availability of a new digital pharmacy price check tool within the Blue Shield mobile app to allow members to immediately view the out-of-pocket price of any new or renewed prescription medications ordered by their clinician and covered by their pharmacy benefit plan. The Price Check My Rx dashboard provides mobile push notifications that let members know when their physician initiates an e-prescription order, prompting the member to view drug prices and compare alternatives, including lower-cost options. The new tool is powered by Gemini Health. The stated goal is to improve medication choice and transparency.
The Price Check My Rx real-time alert feature is available to members who have the Blue Shield of California mobile app downloaded and push notifications turned on. Physicians in Blue Shield’s network have access to the same information, which prompts them to choose a lower-cost alternative when prescribing medications for their patients. The announcement stated that Blue Shield is the first health plan in the country to offer these real-time notifications.
“I’m proud that we are removing the guesswork for patients when it comes to drug costs,” said Jigar Shah, chief marketing and strategy officer at Blue Shield of California. “With this new digital experience, we are bringing transparency straight to our members’ fingertips so they can view and discuss their medication and price options with their provider. This is another important step toward a health care system that is worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable.”
“For too long, patients have found themselves in line at the pharmacy counter not knowing what new prescriptions will cost, whether lower-cost alternatives are available, or if there are other coverage issues,” said Edward Fotsch, chief executive officer at Gemini Health. “We are very excited to continue our collaboration with Blue Shield in this new opportunity to deliver price transparency and choice for their members.”
Blue Shield of California strives to create a health care system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. The health plan is a taxpaying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with 6 million members, over 7,500 employees and more than $27 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare health care service plans in California.
Gemini Health LLC delivers Drug Cost Transparency Services for providers, pharmacists, care managers and health plan members to reduce prescription drug and related administrative costs. Gemini’s suite of patented Drug Cost Transparency Services cover new and existing medications and deliver decision support for busy providers and pharmacists as well as plan members integrated into their existing workflows. Information delivered includes actual member-specific costs of drugs, lower-cost clinically equivalent alternative drugs and lower-cost pharmacies. The alternatives and costs are based upon the member-specific pharmacy benefit and related health plan coverage details. Gemini serves providers and payer partners and their members, with a focus on Blue Cross Blue Shield plans.
This was reported by Blue Shield of California on August 6, 2025 (accessed August 25, 2025).Contact information: Ashleigh Norris, Media Contact, Blue Shield of California, 601 12th Street, Oakland, CA 94607; 415-310-1091; Email: media@blueshieldca.com; Website: https://news.blueshieldca.com/2024/08/29/ripping-up-the-playbook-on-drug-pricing-blue-shield-of-california-launches-first-of-its-kind-pharmacy-care-reimagined-initiative
October 2025 00US25EUA0040