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Conference 7.286::digital

Title:The Digital way of working
Moderator:QUARK::LIONELON
Created:Fri Feb 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5321
Total number of notes:139771

1179.0. "Harvard Community Health Plans cost reduction policy" by NETMAN::SEGER (this space intentionally left blank) Fri Sep 07 1990 15:09

A month or so ago I got a note from Harvard Community Health Plan saying they
were going to require one to go only to CVS to get perscriptions filled.  Their
claim is that since there are CVS's within 3 miles of virtually every office,
it would not be unreasonable to require people to use them.

I live a fair distance from a CVS and frequently find the need to have 
perscriptions filled over the phone.  Right now, it simply requires taking a
short ride into the center of my town to get my perscription filled.  Further,
if a perscription requires being filled in bad weather, the local pharmacy is
much more convenient, not to mention safer to get to.  Finally, a lot of the
perscriptions get picked up by my wife and I don't think she should have to 
leave a sick child for 1/2 hour to pick up a perscription.

Bottom line is I just called HCHP and issued a formal complaint over their new
policy.  My purpose for writing this note is to see what others think as well
as the potential for getting other who may feel the same as I do to formally
complain as well.

-mark
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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1179.1COOKIE::LENNARDFri Sep 07 1990 16:113
    This is one little piece of trying to get health care costs under
    control.  No system can be completely convenient for everyone.  Give
    a little!!
1179.2NOTIME::SACKSGerald Sacks ZKO2-3/N30 DTN:381-2085Fri Sep 07 1990 16:252
What happens if CVS doesn't have the drug in stock?  The CVS near me hasn't
been able to fill some of my prescriptions.  BTW, I don't use HCHP.
1179.3Have you tried John Hancock?16BITS::DELBALSOI (spade) my (dog face)Fri Sep 07 1990 17:116
This is but one reason I choose to use the John Hancock administered Digital
plan rather than an HMO. If you don't like the services offered by the HMO
(physicians/clinic/pharmacies) you have a choice of your own. This restriction
on the part of HCHP doesn't surprise me in the least.

-Jack
1179.4It's not that way with all HMO'sLEHIGH::MCMAHONQuality doesn't cost, it pays!Mon Sep 10 1990 10:247
    Just a reminder that this topic refers to HCHP specifically. I belong
    to Bay State and have my pick of several pharmacies in the area. If I
    don't like one, I can go to any of the others. From what I've seen of
    the plan and the way some of the members are treated (by the 'doctor of
    the day/hour'), I would personally never pick HCHP. But that's the
    great thing about the diversity of our world, some would never pick
    BayState, JH, etc. for their own reasons.
1179.5Written Protests More EffectiveNRADM::PARENTIT'S NOT PMS-THIS IS HOW I REALLY AMMon Sep 10 1990 11:2116
    Yesterday when I stopped by my local pharmacy I noticed a posted
    letter to customers and a petition.  The letter was from the state
    assoc. of pharmacies (whatever their name is) and poked a few holes
    in HCHP's tactics and stated that this change won't have any bearing
    on costs. (My neighborhood pharmacy was the cheapest one around for
    an Rx of my husband's that isn't covered by PCS...and we checked at
    all the major chains to check prices before having it filled.) 
    
    I personally don't belong to HCHP - but I'd sure be ticked-off if
    I did.  If you are effected by this change it would be in your best
    interest to find out what your current pharmacy is doing to combat
    it and help get some petitions & letter-writing campaigns going.
    I'm skeptical about the impact simply registering complaints via
    telephone will have on them.
    
    Good Luck! 
1179.6dangerousCURIE::DIMANMon Sep 10 1990 18:186
    Any policy that places restrictions on where and how you
    can get your prescription drugs could be dangerous.  There
    are times and places when people might need to get a
    prescription filled urgently (business trips out of the country,
    etc.).  Just another example of hassles and dangers of getting
    locked into HMO's.
1179.7Use ours & nobody else'sCADSE::CARRAsleep at the mouseMon Sep 10 1990 20:396
    Even more restrictive is the HCHP Chelmsford office's policy that you
    use their on-site pharmacy and none other. It really ticked off many of
    the local pharmacies in the Chelmsford area & is just one of the
    reasons I switched from HCHP to Bay State.

    -Dom
1179.8I *HAVE* to go to CVS? Not for long!MYGUY::LANDINGHAMMrs. KipTue Sep 11 1990 13:079
    I belong to HCHP.  I was very upset to be told that should I need to
    get a prescription filled I must drive to either Westboro or Worcester
    from Grafton... when there is a Brooks Pharmacy right down the street
    from me.  That's outrageous.  
    
    I would like to know who at HCHP I can address my complaint to.  I also
    intend to let them know that I will be dropping the HMO come January. 
    HMOs present enough restrictions to their patients-- never mind telling
    them where to go to get prescriptions filled.
1179.9BOTTOM LINE FIRST-HEALTH CARE SECONDCSCMA::SCANLONTue Sep 11 1990 17:3615
    
    	I have belong to HCHP off and on for the past twelve years and
    	the level of service has dropped as the HMO got larger. While
    	in the past it was a smaller and friendlier organization, my
     	wife and I knew almost all of the staff. I fear that HCHP has
    	turned into another faceless bureaucracy that is only concerned
    	with the bottom line. I am now waiting for the latest round
   	of rules changes since HCHP has bought the small HMO from R.I.
    
    	 I'm just sad that HCHP is turning into a business rather than
    	staying a health care provider.
    
    
    				Don Scanlon
    				CSCMA 
1179.10Does this apply to Wellesley HCHP too ?DRACMA::GOLDSTEINHome of the two-headed dinosaurTue Sep 11 1990 18:287
    When did this go into effect ? I belong to HCHP and received no such
    notification about going to CVS. I just renewed a perscription at the
    Wellesley Center and heard nothing about this. I wish I *could* go to CVS
    since its a lot closer to my home than the HCHP center.
    
    Joan G.
     
1179.11Maybe by Area...?MYGUY::LANDINGHAMMrs. KipTue Sep 11 1990 18:399
    Maybe HCHP has targeted certain areas to go to certain drug stores.  I
    don't know.  Back in August I did get a letter telling me that after a
    certain date I would have to go to CVS.  I live in Central Mass. and am
    affiliated with the Westboro Branch of the plan.  
    
    But hopefully, not for too much longer!
    
    Rgds,
    marcia
1179.1211/15/90 (?)NRADM::PARENTIT'S NOT PMS-THIS IS HOW I REALLY AMWed Sep 12 1990 15:031
    If my memory serves me correctly, the switch-over date is November 15.