I wasn't sure where to post this so put here in Medical since it is about our medicines.
My small family pharmacist made me aware of this change. The problem is knowing WHEN our prescription plans have been renewed.
I had a "go round" with CVS and they said this "didn't apply to them, well it does, they just don't want to comply.
It was effective March 1, 2013, and is applicable to any plans that are renewed after March 1, 2013. Too bad they didn't grandfather ALL of the plans in, would have made more sense.
Basically, it gives us a choice to NOT have scripts filled by mail order.. It really isn't more cost effective and mail order seems to create waste.
This will only apply to one state and one group of insurers. No wonder the insurance companies with mail order don't want to do this. Easy to see why the local pharms would want it. Who is going to watch and make sure the locals really do price it the same? However, the reaction of CVS doesn't sound like they think this is to their benefit.
Wondering also how this will affect the contracts that the insurers have with their mail order companies, such as Medco, Caremark, etc? Their business is based on volume.
[ 03-16-2013, 09:53 AM: Message edited by: poppy ]
Posted by fourwinds (Member # 14114) on :
Yes, so far it's only Pennsylvania.... I believe the local pharmacies are pricing the same, not
hijacking as they (the small pharmaceuticals) instigated/pushed for this change.
It was passed, I believe, so that we have a choice and are not "forced to use mail order" and
to eliminate waste in drugs... Also, it has been determined that it is not "cost effective" contrary to what the big pharma's are saying.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)