Walgreens And Express Scripts: Moving On After The Break Up
A Walgreen Co. executive said that though the transition is difficult now, he expects the company to rebound as the year progresses. Consumers, too, will have to deal with some changes.
Reuters: Walgreen Starts To Move On Without Express Scripts
Walgreen Co is going through "the worst" part of not being in Express Scripts Inc's network and, while the transition is difficult now, the drugstore should rebound as the year progresses, its top pharmacy executive said on Monday. Walgreen, the largest U.S. drugstore chain, has been at odds with pharmacy benefits manager Express Scripts since June, when the companies said they could not agree on a new contract that would have started on January 1, 2012. Now, after attempts to come to new terms were not fruitful, Walgreen no longer fills prescriptions for Express Scripts' members, unless they choose to pay another way (Wohl, 1/9).
Kaiser Health News: Capsules: Millions Find Walgreens No Longer In Their Rx Networks
If you're heading into a Walgreens to pick up a prescription, you may first want to check the back of your insurance card. If it says Express Scripts, you can no longer fill your prescription at Walgreens or affiliates like Duane Reade under your insurance plan" (Varney 1/9).
In other marketplace news, Health Net is set to sell its Medicare prescription drug business to CVS —
Market Watch: Health Net To Sell Medicare Prescription Unit
Health Net Inc. agreed to sell its Medicare prescription-drug plan business to CVS Caremark Corp. for about $160 million in cash. The managed-care company had previously faced sanctions from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services tied to its Medicare Advantage and prescription-drug plan products. The government had alleged the company failed to provide enrollees with prescription drug benefits that conformed with laws, guidelines and contract terms. The company resumed marketing the plans in August (Pollock, 1/9).