Chalk me up as one of those that intensely dislikes CVS. Even before they announced they were going to quit selling cigarettes, their stores made me uncomfortable. I don’t know if it’s the lighting, the people, or what, but their stores just have a certain creep factor to me. It is a personal thing (problem), but simply stating the bias up front.
Then CVS announced they were to stop selling tobacco and what a big sacrifice to their bottom line it was and all that bs to get the headlines. Call me cynical but I never believed they were going to lose billions a year out of the goodness of their little hearts. If they really cared about people and had billions to lose, they would set up free clinics and meds for the homeless.
We get insurance through my husband’s employer, a big box company. Had to pay $500 out of pocket for medical testing to keep my insurance through them this year. We hardly squeak by financially as it is with their crappy pay. Today my husband brings home something laughingly called “My Benefits. My Choice. What’s New for 2015” We may have had this "choice" last year and my husband "forgot" to tell me about it but it's new to me. Here’s the pertinent parts for this post:
TOBACCO-FREE DISCOUNT UNCHANGED IN 2015
Employees can still receive a $65 discount per month ($30 per bi-weekly pay period) off their medical rates by pledging to be tobacco-free in 2015. In that pledge, employees state in 2015 they and their covered dependents will not use tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes and forms of smokeless tobacco. If employees do not re-enroll in coverage, they will keep the same tobacco status they pledged last year.”
2015 PRESCRIPTION DRUG BENEFIT CHANGES
CVS Caremark will continue to be the pharmacy benefit manager for full-time employees and their families enrolled in the Lowe’s medical plans, except for those enrolled in a Kaiser HMO (Kaiser administers their own prescription drug plan).
For 2015, Lowe’s will be implementing the Maintenance Choice program for maintenance prescription drugs. In this program, employees must fill their maintenance prescriptions through mail order or at a CVS pharmacy, and will receive a 90-day supply at a discounted price. This program is mandatory.
Lowe’s is also making updates to the eligible formulary medication list and specialty prescription process for 2015. Impacted members will receive a letter from CVS Caremark explaining the change and will provide alternatives for 2015.
In 2015 all eligible pharmacy copays and coinsurance will apply to the out-of-pocket maximum for medical benefits. Please visit the My Benefits site for more information.
I've used the same small (tiny) town independently owned pharmacy for 24 years. I know the people there, they know me and they've always done right by their customers. CVS is 30 miles away and couldn't care less about me. Or you. I don't have a car during the day. The post office, where we get our mail, is three miles away and closes at 4pm. Six mile walk. Neighbor can bring the prescription home to me on her way home because she works at the pharmacy and live two houses down.
There were some other points I wanted to make but can't remember them right now because I'm still pretty steamed. Just pointing out that CVS is hurting people, not helping them.
