State Backs Away From Mail Order Pharmacies
The change would have impacted 115,000 Medicaid clients
The mandate would have required fee-for-service clients, those people who don’t belong to a managed care plan, to use a mail order pharmacy starting Sept. 1.
“There was an almost immediate outcry from the retail pharmacy world that we were going to put them out of business and put our clients at risk of harm if they could not get needed prescriptions in a timely manner,” according to Nelsa Brodie, communications officer for the Oregon Department of Human Services.
Rural pharmacies would have been particularly hard hit, insisted Rep. Jim Thompson, who was executive director of the Oregon State Pharmacists Association, before becoming an elected official.
“It may have saved the state money, but pharmacies – especially in rural areas -- would have gotten the short end of the stick,” he said. “It makes no sense to cut pharmacies out of the program. This could have forced them out of business.”
The latest statistics show that very few Medicaid clients use a mail order pharmacy -- on average 832 people per month – compared to 115,000 people who qualify for the program.
Had officials imposed such a mandate, they estimated savings of $128,000 per biennium. Medicaid represents about 10-12 percent of all retail pharmacy claims, with fee-for-service claims comprising slightly more than half of that amount.
Taking a different route, DHS will start an education and outreach program on June 1, to encourage clients to voluntarily participate in the mail order prescription program.
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Comments
re the state's choice not to mandate mail order pharmacys, i think you should have made the mandate but a phase in period where you educated people how to use the mail order. I am on many meds for multiple sclerosis and the mail order caremark is excellent, you only have to order every three months, they mail them to you always on time , it saves money, and you can always use a local pharmacy for on the spot needed new meds, and then if you think you will stay on the meds then get the dr order for a 3 month supply with three refills then you are set on prescriptions for a year.
You still can use the local pharmacy for things like one time meds or like if you need cream s and one time meds or braces, crutches etc. Who cares if the local pharmacies lose alittle business, it will save the state money and its more easy for the person getting the meds. The mail order pharmacy is open to call 24 hours a day, they can explain everything, each order comes with instructions, now for people who need special needs, the doctor can write down any schedule on paper for them. Care providers still can help their people in group or independent living as they did before. Its so easy and cheaper.
Dont forget walmart now delivers too, but mail order is so easy. Try to phase it in, and educate people and just think how much money the state will save. Local pharmacys still can make alot of money, dont make decisions based on pressure from companies who are self promoting.
dide
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