This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
For the past year, Walgreens and Express Script have been negotiating a new contract to manage prescriptions as an in-network supplier but negotiations broke down and the contract expired on December 31st, 2011, creating a void in Express Script's pharmacy provider network.
If you are an Express Script user - including if you are a member of TriCare - you are probably finding out just how much of a pain it is. Express Scripts’ actions are causing disruption with no significant benefit to patients or their health plan. Patients covered by an Express Scripts plan now find themselves not only having to change their pharmacists, but many are having to drive farther to get prescriptions filled at pharmacies with less convenient hours for their hectic schedules. Walgreens offers more 24-hour and drive-thru pharmacies than any other pharmacy in the country
Walgreens was not asking for an increase in rates or try to rewrite terms in this dispute. Express Scripts wanted to unilaterally define contract terms and slash Walgreen's reimbursement to below industry standards. And at this point, there doesn't seem to be a savings for customers at all:
Check the back of your prescription insurance card. If it says Express Script, you should check with your Walgreen's pharmacist to see how it impacts you. If your card doesn't say Express Script you are in the clear.
For the past year, Walgreens and Express Script have been negotiating a new contract to manage prescriptions as an in-network supplier but negotiations broke down and the contract expired on December 31st, 2011, creating a void in Express Script's pharmacy provider network.
If you are an Express Script user - including if you are a member of TriCare - you are probably finding out just how much of a pain it is. Express Scripts’ actions are causing disruption with no significant benefit to patients or their health plan. Patients covered by an Express Scripts plan now find themselves not only having to change their pharmacists, but many are having to drive farther to get prescriptions filled at pharmacies with less convenient hours for their hectic schedules. Walgreens offers more 24-hour and drive-thru pharmacies than any other pharmacy in the country
Walgreens was not asking for an increase in rates or try to rewrite terms in this dispute. Express Scripts wanted to unilaterally define contract terms and slash Walgreen's reimbursement to below industry standards. And at this point, there doesn't seem to be a savings for customers at all:
Express Scripts itself has stated that clients will not see any significant savings from excluding Walgreens from its network. In fact, costs may even go up without Walgreens because we offer competitive pricing, additional savings by dispensing less expensive generic drugs more often than other pharmacies, and savings through 90-day supplies of medications at our retail pharmacies versus three, 30-day refills.How do you know if you are impacted?
Check the back of your prescription insurance card. If it says Express Script, you should check with your Walgreen's pharmacist to see how it impacts you. If your card doesn't say Express Script you are in the clear.
Walgreens is working hard to minimize the impact to customers - making transfers efficient and simple and they are also offering a special deal on Walgreens Prescription Savings Club - you can now join for just $5 as an individual or $10 as a family and receive savings on more than 8,000 brand name and all generic medications. More than 400 generics are available with a three-month supply for less than $1 a week. Regular annual membership is $20 for an individual and $35 for a family.
As a loyal Walgreens shopper, I appreciate the efforts that my local Walgreens is making to help families and I appreciate how far they go in every situation. To keep up with everything that is going on with this situation and to stay current with everything happening at Walgreens you can like Walgreens on Facebook and follow Walgreens on Twitter!
