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Express Scripts

John of Encinitas, CA August 4, 2008

John of Encinitas CA (08/04/08)
My wife needed the brand name of Zoloft due to side effects with the generic. Her Doctor stated on the phone and on the prescription form which she faxed several times the reasons why. They stated that they never got it? Then I am not allowed to talk to the Prior Authorization people to see if they received it? Well upon receiving the copies and seeing the script and the Doctors notes on it, Express Scripts said there was no explanation why she needed the brand name!?

After 2 weeks of talking, I received a notice that they denied the Doctors request because there was not enough evidence to persuade them not to issue her the brand name. I really like Non-Doctors making the call on Meds!

Michelle of Oxford, MA July 30, 2008

Michelle of Oxford MA (07/30/08)
I would like to know why GIC and Express Scripts have the right to deny medications for financial reasons. I was denied Prevacid for severe digestive problems. I was also denied Cymbalta for pain from arthritis, bursitis, and fibromyalgia, which shouldn't cause any further digestive upset. I don't mind losing weight...BUT NOT THIS WAY!

I called GIC, they told me to call Express Scripts. I called Express Scripts, they told me to call GIC in Boston. I called GIC in Boston and was told to call Express Scripts.

Why do the insurance companies have the right to tell the GP and Rheumatologist, who know my history and present condition, what medications I am allowed to get?

Due to the actions of Express Scripts to date, my digestive problems have become inflamed due to stress, and thanks to their denial to cover the medications I needs, I have nothing to alleviate the pain and burning.

James of Sterling Heights, MI July 25, 2008

James of Sterling Heights MI (07/25/08)
Express Scripts has authorized itself to extend the number of refills on my doctors subsriptions without my doctors authorization. Apparently my doctor writes prescriptions for 100 pills with 3 refills allowed. Express Scripts only fills 90 pills siteing state law and saves the 10 extra untill the end of the prescription refills and summs the left over 40 pills and adds an additional refill to be able to send more pills with no reference to this short amount on the invoice or web site on refills available. My Doctor seems to think that it is not legal to extend the prescription refill count. My Doctor does say that some pharmacies do furnish the pills on 3 month periods so that a patient will get a full 3 months of pills (ie up to 92) per refill and the prescription will last a full calender year rather than be 5 or 6 days short on the 1 year. prescription. Express Scripts also will honor an old prescription of 20mg of CRESTOR with this same method of extending refills after I hade a new prescription of 40mg of CRESTOR.

Express Scripts charges a full deductable (25.00) amount for the short count shipment and says they will do nothing about it and tells me to instruct my Doctor write for 90 pills. I am out of my ZETIA for over three weeks now as it takes at least 3 weeks for Express Scripts to fill this prescription. I am out the money that was spent on short prescriptions. I did have enough pills on my CRESTOR to tide over. I can also double up the 20mg dose of CRESTOR but that is not the point.

Audrey of Elkhron, NE July 14, 2008

Audrey of Elkhron NE (07/14/08)
I have yet to complete a successfully transation with Express Scripts. I can not believe that I am held hostage by the company I work with and I am forced to work with a dishonest and incapable organization. They fail to ship on the days the promise and more frustrating happen to forget to include all of the ordered prescriptions.

I have severa asthama and do not have my maintanance drugs. If I end up in the hospital it will be Express Scripts fault. Hopefully my insurance company will send the bills to them.

Eugene of Poway, CA June 18, 2008

Eugene of Poway CA (06/18/08)
I have been compelled to deal with this group for three years. I am Diabetic and take about a dozen prescription meds a day. I have yet to have a satisfactory transaction with these people. I have been stalled, disrespected and frustrated. Ok, nothing actionable there. They routinely discontinue my scrips for no discernable reason with refills remaining.

However, I have also been lied to: Your order was shipped yesterday. Here is the UPS tracking number. and when I check with UPS, they have no such number in their system. We never recieved the fax from your doctor and not only my doctor has a confirmation, but another customer service (doubtful they even understand the term) acknowledges that the prescription was in the pharmacy being filled at the time. Of course, yet another claimed it was delayed because they need the doctor's approval to fill the prescription he sent them and yet another agreed that it had never been received. They have held prescriptions, claiming they needed authorization (which they did not) or that they had attempted to contact me. As I never got a phone call, fax, email, telegram or knock on the door, I asked what means they used when they attempted, and they could not answer the question.

I have moved all the prescriptions I can afford to over to [another] pharmacy. I may pay a couple dollers more, but knowing that my prescriptions will actually be filled is worth it.

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