Wash. State: Walgreens: no new Medicaid patients as of April 16

[Mari333]

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.











http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011367936_walgreens18m.html

[leftofcool]

1. Translation="We're losing profits because of old and disabled folks

and by damn we need our bonuses!"

[virgogal]

6. Medicaid would probably be younger people.

[GodlessBiker]

2. There should be a law. If you don't take Medicaid patients, you cannot take Medicare patients.

[ncteechur]

3. There should be a law, "You have to agree to take Medicare and Medicaid patients to get your state l

license."

YOu can be in business but you cannot be a licensed pharmacy.

If you are a physician (or other service provider), you cannot get your state license either

[GodlessBiker]

4. I'd vote for that.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. So who should make up the losses incurred for businesses subsidizing certain customers?

The reimbursements should at least cover cost or allow generic substitution where possible.

[ChicagoSuz219]

9. ...or any Part D recipients.

Everyone should just change their Rx to CVS, Osco, Costco or any other place that will take them in your area.

Walgreen's is NOT the only game in town.

[EFerrari]

5. My old pharmacist told me it took more than two years for him to get paid.

Unreal. No small pharmacies have that much of a cushion.

[Odin2005]

8. BOYCOTT WALLGREENS!!!

Here in Minnesota many places refuse to take patients with State Medical Assistance (coverage for the disabled) because they don't get enough PROFIT off of us. It's why I have to go 50 miles to see the dentist.

[dashrif]

10. All

states are cutting Medicaid left and right and if a large population of customers are on Medicaid how can they keep doing business with a 95% reimbursement rate. I work for a company that does long term health in two states and I can tell you private pay and Medicare pay the bills not Medicaid, but for us it balances out. But for Walgreen's it may not if most of their locations are in poor urban areas. :shrug:

the state has two options cut or raise taxes and the latter is not to popular right now so some are looking at raising or instating new sin taxes to recoup some cost