Walgreens: no new Medicaid patients as of April 16

[Synicus Maximus]

Effective April 16, Walgreens drugstores across the state won't take any new Medicaid patients, saying that filling their prescriptions is a money-losing proposition — the latest development in an ongoing dispute over Medicaid reimbursement.

The company, which operates 121 stores in the state, will continue filling Medicaid prescriptions for current patients.

In a news release, Walgreens said its decision to not take new Medicaid patients stemmed from a "continued reduction in reimbursement" under the state's Medicaid program, which reimburses it at less than the break-even point for 95 percent of brand-name medications dispensed to Medicaid patents

[eShirl]

1. In which state?

[SoCalNative]

4. WA state

[RB TexLa]

2. They can chose what insurance they accept and don't accept.

There will be someone who finds a way to provide the prescriptions for medicaid patients.

[SoCalNative]

5. Pharmacists are licensed by the government

as are pharmacy technicians in most places. And doctors.

They should be required to accept government insurance plans as a condition of their licensing.

[kenny blankenship]

16. The idea of comprehensive reform 4 a healthcare SYSTEM is beyond the conceptual grasp of our Dems

They talk about expanding Medicaid - meanwhile out in the country called America, you can die trying to find a doctor who takes medicaid. Or now, pharmacies who'll fill your Rx. Medicare likewise is unwelcome and shooed from Doctor's offices. How long til "Bronzers" suffer the same fate?

You're in the wrong place. This hospital is for Silvers and above. You want that place, across the street -the Bronzer hospital.
But, are you sure? It looks like a junkyard.
It is a junkyard - they part out old cars. They also do appendectomies, and other minor surgeries that people with your level of coverage can afford.

[Abq_Sarah]

17. Should they be required

To receive less money than it costs them to fill that prescription?

[timeforpeace]

24. LOL!

[Bluebear]

11. 'There will be someone who finds a way to provide the prescriptions for medicaid patients.' Oh? Who?

Are you sure? Are you willing to bet your drug coverage on it?

[RB TexLa]

13. It's too big of a market. Someone will find a way.

[Hannah Bell]

31. if there's no money, there's no "market". markets aren't a matter of demand: the demand

has to come from someone with something to trade.

POOR PEOPLE DON'T HAVE MONEY.

[Bluebear]

35. +1

[NickB79]

32. If it costs more to fill the prescription than they get paid via Medicaid, there is NO market

[RB TexLa]

34. It costs Walgreens too much. Doesn't mean others can't find a way.

[timeforpeace]

3. And this is only the beginning. Ironic it happened even before the HCR vote.

[blue neen]

6. Links, please!?

n/t.

[NNN0LHI]

9. here

http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2010/03/15/daily10.html

[ChiciB1]

27. Guess This Goes For All the States Then! WOW... Couldn't Wait

for even a vote!! Here we GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

[saracat]

36. My pharmacist in AZ wasn't able to fill a medacaid precritption in front of me yesterday.

She said it wouldn't be covered anymore.She was angry that it wasn't.I don't think Wa is alone.

[Divine Discontent]

10. you can usually find a link if one isn't posted by highlighting 5 or 6 words in the story and

right-clicking on your mouse, and searching in google. Here's the 1st result that comes us doing that -

http://news.walgreens.com/section_display.cfm?section_id=8


and a news story http://blogs.dailymail.com/donsurber/archives/10830

[blue neen]

23. The original poster should be providing links with his/her information in the post.

Otherwise, it's just assertions.

[Divine Discontent]

7. oh really???? now I know why the Rx mgr treats a relative like crap...

they don't want them coming there.

People should boycott them...

[apples and oranges]

8. If Medicare/medicaid can't handle the current clients, how would

they have managed adding 30 million people to their rolls?

[Bluebear]

12. A pre-emptive strike, no doubt.

[nadinbrzezinski]

26. And you get the cookie

'XACTLY what went through my mind.

Wait for it, everybody else will soon follow.

[mmonk]

30. +1

[girl gone mad]

14. Pay attention, folks about to be forced to buy "bronze" insurance plans.

This is the future of health care. One system for those who can afford to pay cash and get insurance reimbursement later, a much less desirable system for those with subsidized crap plans. Mission accomplished.

[kenny blankenship]

21. Exactly. Rather than create a comprehensive UNIVERSAL system they are creating a ghettoized system.

"You people stay over there!" The people who need the most help will get the worst deal, and no way out. Those who had insurance anyway and need the least help, will get the best deal. Universal inequality.

[madrchsod]

22. yup....

obama secured the health care syndicate`s blessing and money for the next presidential election.

"it`s alright ma, i`m only bleeding"

[gravity]

15. The blame shouldn't be with Walgreens

It is the state's fault for not providing enough money to pay for the costs of the prescription.

[Abq_Sarah]

18. And the federal government

For not reimbursing the state for what is actually a federal program.

[usregimechange]

19. Well, they just lost my business

[Divine Discontent]

25. thank you! and mine.

[madrchsod]

20. at one time the state of illinois owed a local pharmacy

over 250,000 dollars because the state`s medicaid payments were over a year behind.

the medicaid is underfunded across the country and it`s a wonder anyone will accept medicaid patients and drug cards. to bad no one thought of fixing the medicaid problem.

[Zywiec]

28. I think this is the start of a trend

In a news release, Walgreens said its decision to not take new Medicaid patients stemmed from a "continued reduction in reimbursement" under the state's Medicaid program, which reimburses it at less than the break-even point for 95 percent of brand-name medications dispensed to Medicaid patents.

Walgreens follows Bartell Drugs, which stopped taking new Medicaid patients last month at all 57 of its stores in Washington, though it still fills Medicaid prescriptions for existing customers at all but 15 of those stores.

<snip>

Washington was reimbursing pharmacies 86 percent of a drug's average wholesale price until July, when it began paying them just 84 percent. While pharmacies weren't happy about the reimbursement reduction, the Department of Social and Health Services said that move was expected to save the state about $10 million.

<snip>

"Washington state Medicaid is now reimbursing pharmacies less than their cost of participation," said Jeff Rochon, CEO of the Washington State Pharmacy Association.

Pharmacies that continue to fill Medicaid prescriptions at the current state reimbursement rate are "at risk of putting themselves out of business altogether," he said.

[Solly Mack]

29. K&R

[olegramps]

33. The entire heath care system is in serious trouble.

The system is not sustainable simple because there is no cost containment. Health care for the working class will become a commodity that will be affordable only for those who are fortunate to be protected by union contracts. This amounts to only 6% of the working force who have had to compromise to retain their benefits. I don't see much hope for the working class in this country. Where is the recovery magically going to come from. The manufacturing jobs have been out-sourced and the only jobs left are crappy service sector jobs paying starvation wages. The talk about creating Green Jobs is a farce when there is absolutely no protection from those jobs suffering a similar fate.