There has been an abundance of talk about healthcare over the past few years. Most people seem to focus on the cost of coverage and the type of care they will receive from hospitals and physicians. But discussion about access to pharmacies and the cost of medications should take place also.
Echo Pharmacy has been vocal in support of small business and the positive impact it has on local communities and the savings it can provide the consumer. Unfortunately, health plans may limit your access to independent pharmacies resulting in higher costs and less personal care.
Insurance companies and their Pharmacy Business Managers may force patients to utilize stores in their Preferred Pharmacy Network which is typically one of the large national chains. In fact, independent pharmacies are not allowed to become part of a preferred network. Many Pharmacy Business Managers are either owned by or have a heavy interest in big chain pharmacies.
Recently, U.S. Representative Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) penned a letter to Medicare over concerns about "preferred network" drug plans in Medicare Part B benefits.
“Over the last few months I have been hearing increasing concerns from Medicare beneficiaries and small business owners in my congressional district regarding Medicare Part D plans that feature preferred pharmacy networks,” Rep. Ryan wrote. “As these networks grow and expand in number, I am concerned that they could lead to a decrease in access to quality care and threaten the survival of small business pharmacies that play a vital role in our communities.”
Representative Ryan further cited Medicare's own publication which suggested that costs may be higher in preferred networks versus non-preferred networks as well as cases where patients had to travel outside of their county to find a participating pharmacy. For the elderly or infirm, such travel may be impossible not to mention cost prohibitive.
If you would like to add your support in being able to choose your pharmacy, please follow this link and sign the petition.
Being your hometown pharmacy is important to us and we always strive to offer you the best. To this end, we have introduced the "Echo Care Generic Prescription Program" to help you save on the cost of generic prescriptions. No insurance is necessary to save on over 100 generic prescriptions! No membership fees, no deductibles, no premiums. Just the medication you need at prices you can afford. Please stop by to learn how we can save YOU money!
Competition in the marketplace should be allowed. Let patients shop around and choose the pharmacy which is best for them. It could be the closest pharmacy, the least expensive, or the one where the pharmacists offer personal care and services. If the patient is really fortunate, they might just find a pharmacy that encompasses it all just like Echo Pharmacy does for our Miller Place neighbors!
