Does anyone else have Express Scripts?

ADK

Does anyone else have Express Scripts?

ADK

Okay - I am furious.  My company was taken over and I was forced to change my old HMO to a new one on January 1.  The new company uses Express Scripts for prescription coverage.  Express Scripts wants everyone to fill their prescriptions via mail.  I choose not to - I use a local pharmacy.  I have filled some prescriptions since January 1.  I came home from work tonight and found a letter on my company's letterhead listing one of my prescriptions and telling me that it would save me 40 dollars this year if I filled it through the mail.  I am livid.  How dare they tell my employer what prescriptions I take?  Isn't this a clear violation of the patient privacy act?  Has this happened to anyone else?  I am contacting my attorney general about this.  I am so angry tonight!   

Anonymous

I've been ordering scripts through the mail, Medco, for some time.  It's cheaper.  I'd much rather use a local pharmacy.

We changed insurance this year also (yep, company bought out..new insurance..HATE, HATE, HATE).  We HAVE to use the mail-in for ongoing scripts.  I've had letters telling me to talk to my doctor about changing to a different statin because it was cheaper WHICH I WON'T!  I don't have an employer so, no, I have not experienced that, but I can certainly understand how you feel.  It does seem like they're violating HIPPA.

Shirley

Anonymous

I have Express Scripts (new to them this year). If I remember correctly, when I signed the form to get my prescription through their mail order firm, I signed something saying I was allowing them to have the info required to fill my rx. HOWEVER, If I hadn't signed up for mail order, I wouldn't have signed the form...

ADK

It doesn't bother me that Express Scripts knows what I get because they have to know.  What I am upset about is that it seems they gave this information to my employer.  My employer has no right to have that information.  What's next - they survey my doctors and find out that I have had cancer? My employer is a bank - absolutely no reason for them to have this information.  I will follow up.

Thanks for the responses.

sccruiser

That's outrageous Anne! You are so right. I don't believe your employer should get a list of your prescriptions. I certainly wouldn't want my employer to get a list of mine (just retired a week ago), because there are people working in HR who can't keep their mouths shut, and they love to "spread the word" (gossip) particularly if taking an anti-depressant!



The only letter I received from my employer was to let me know that after 2x (2 months) use of local pharmacy, then third time prescription has to be done in the mail. Any prescription that is ongoing must be signed up for by mail. I have Medco, like Shirley. Be sure to check on any paperwork you signed that might have given permission to share info.



I know that we are under UnitedHealthcare and my employer notified us of some new check system for ongoing medical issues--so that you can sign up to have a nurse call you and talk to you about what you are doing, an what you could do to get better. I never signed up for it though.



I hope you can get to the bottom of this. I'm still speechless (although that hasn't seem to have affected my typing LOL).



grace

ADK

Just want to update - I received a call from some one in our benefits group and she said that they don't get any information from Express Scripts.  She didn't know why our letterhead was being used and she said she would investigate it.  Hmmmmmmmmmmm.....I am pretty mistrustful of just about everyone, so I am not so sure I believe her.  Just because you are paranoid, it doesn't mean that they aren't after you

Thanks for the comments and concern!!

Anonymous

Grace, we now have United Healthcare.  I hate it.  Like you we can use the pharmacy twice and then have to mail it in.  I'm used to mailing my scripts in, but if we were running short we'd get a month or so worth.

I feel like I'm in an HMO.  I feel trapped.  Our insurance until AT&T bought out Bell was wonderful.  I can go out of network, but then I'd have to reach a $6600 before they'd pay 60%.  In network the deductible is $2200 and then they'll pay 90% unless one picks a higher premium (to reach out of pocket sooner) which we did not know about the BEAST!  I should have picked the cheaper.

Here I go griping again and hyjacking Anne's thread.

Good luck Anne with getting your mind at ease with this situation.  Like you I wouldn't want everyone to know what meds I'm taking.

Shirley

ADK

Thanks, Shirley.  I think my mind is at ease, but when I get the next letter, I'll be all up in arms again unless my little hissy fit will cause them to change their ways.  I am suprised that I got such a quick response from our HR people.  It probably was the mention of the attorney general in my first e-mail that got their attention.

Best to everyone.

denisa

i found express scripts to at least be more user-friendly than medco.