I put my refill in to be refilled weeks head to make sure I received in plenty of time before I ran out. Guess what? I ran out because I have a balance of $16 for over thirty days. I said, "Why did you not state that on the website that your prescription would not be filled until total balance was paid?" They, instead, tried to bill a debit card without permission and the bank declined. Bravo, TD. I, maybe, could have died. All they care about is their money. I wish the CEO's mother needs it and doesn't receive it. He would kill everyone. That's why God said revenge is mine. Can't wait for that day.
Consumer Complaints & Reviews
Overcharged by nearly $2k for one prescription - Early in the first week of April, I ordered my son's Asthmanex inhaler from Medco. The next day, I received an automated voice mail message requesting that I contact Medco, stating that the price of the prescription required that they seek my approval before charging me. I called Medco and eventually got through to a representative. She informed me that the price was in the $600 range for six inhalers. I told her that I could not afford six inhalers at this time, but I would like the quantity reduced to three. The representative acknowledged this and informed me that the price would be in the $300 range for three inhalers and that if the amount were different from this, she would contact me. I agreed and authorized the purchase of three inhalers at that price.
The next day, I received on my voice mail a second automated message, which was identical to that of the previous day, requesting that I call Medco to authorize a high-priced purchase. This was frustrating, because I expected it to be the $300 purchase of three inhalers, which I had authorized the previous day. When I finally got through to another representative, he informed me that the charge for three inhalers was $1600. I explained to him that this must be a mistake because the representative the day before told me that the inhalers were only slightly more than $100 each and that six inhalers were approximately $600. So how could three cost $1600? He then claimed that the representative the previous day must have thought I had already met my deductible when she quoted that price.
I replied to him "Then, what is the price for one inhaler?" His answer was that the inhaler's about $100. He then paused and said, "Oh, that doesn't make sense." I laughed, and he told me he would speak to his manager to figure out this error. Meanwhile, I had to leave for work, so I requested a call back. Unfortunately, the call back happened on Friday, April 6, 2012 while I was at work. My husband, Tim, answered the phone and was told that the price was over $1800. And knowing only that my son desperately needed this inhaler (His asthma had significantly worsened because of how long it took to get this order placed, and he was now unmedicated, using emergency nebulizers because of all the wheezing.), Tim authorized the purchase.
When I returned home from work on April 6, we immediately left for a vacation we had planned that weekend; and while on vacation, Tim informed me of the phone call. Because we were out of town, I was unable to call Medco until the following week. When I did call Medco to complain about this charge, the representative again attempted to convince me that this had something to do with my deductible. Again, I asked, "How much is one inhaler?" Again, the answer was just over $100. Indeed, that morning I searched the price of Asthmanex on the internet and found that the price range in most pharmacies is $120-130. At the Tigard Costco, the price is $113 for the Asthmanex that my son uses.
When I explained this to the representative, he said that he could not understand why we were charged nearly $2000 for three inhalers. He told me, as all the other representatives did, that he would speak with his supervisor. In response, I asked him to cancel the order if it exceeds $350. Shockingly, Medco did not resolve this issue. They had immediately charged us upon my husband's unwitting approval, despite my repeated efforts to address this price incongruity. They refused to refund our money when I told them to cancel the order. I have since called Medco. On April 24, 2012, I spoke with Vatra, who informed me that the price per unit of Asthmanex is $102.10.
When I complained about what I had been charged, she forwarded my call to her supervisor, Stephanie, who first attempted to explain the discrepancy based on our deductible. I told her that the inhalers are only $100 when paid out of pocket. She then told me that the price fluctuates daily. I told her that every time I have called, including when I first placed the order, I was informed that the price was around $100 per unit. She then told that it takes days to process an order, so if I placed it on a day when it was $100 per unit, the price may have increased even to $1000 per unit by the time they processed the order. I find this argument laughable, considering how rapidly Medco placed the order after my husband's ill-informed approval! This clearly appears to be an act of fraud and is a shocking pharmaceutical scam.
Not only have I been overcharged by approximately $1300, but my son's health has suffered as a result of Medco. He is unable to breath, to play, to study, or to sleep when the wheezing takes hold of him. I would like Medco to fully refund what they have overcharged me. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. Despite my numerous attempts to address this issue through the normal means with Medco, I have made no progress.
My doctor called in Lipitor script and checked box for generics. When Medco received the script (and since Lipitor was no longer a preferred drug and less expensive), they substituted a more expensive drug than the Lipitor. When I called Medco, they said they could do this because my doctor checked the generic box on the script. I argued that the point of generics is to save money, not cost more! They said my doctor should have known better that Lipitor was no longer a preferred drug. This policy is immoral! I spoke with their managers to no avail! Great operation until I now know their game! I am writing my congressman on this one to change this stupid rule!
I bought a few days' supply of Pramipexole locally for my wife with the same strength prescription as Medco's. The pills' effect was such that we had to reduce the daily dosage to 1/2 of Medco's pills, but when back on Medco's pills, we had to return to the original dosage. About two months ago, my wife's mobility was so bad that she had to enter a nursing home. They do not use Medco's pills and her mobility is improving - but she lost so much muscle tone that extensive physical therapy is necessary to attempt to regain her strength, if possible.
I am confident that had Medco pills been up to par, she would still be at home. If I could find a lab to test Medco's pills at a reasonable cost, I would have them tested. If I had the proof necessary, I would pursue criminal charges and have their executives experience the restrictions of freedom that my wife, and probably many other innocent people, must endure.
Prescription changed co-pay tripled, customer was not notified - On April 9, 2012, I reviewed all my prescription coverage with Medco as I was now in the "Donut Hole." I reordered a generic drug and was told the co-pay would be $11.58. I received the same medication packaged in capsule instead of the tablets I ordered at a co-pay of $49.66. Medco attests that they cleared this with my physician (correct) who did not contact me as he cannot be responsible for knowing his patients' insurance coverage and it was the same medication, thus unnecessary for him to call me. Medco refuses to credit me the difference in the medication I ordered versus what they sent. I have been charged $38.08 without my knowledge or permission. This is not right.
Medco Customer Service calls constantly to get my wife and me to use their mail order service. They have even gone as far as penalizing each prescription that is claimed for not using their service. Sometimes it is $49.00 or $11.00, depending on the price of the prescription filled.
I thought this was America and we still had a choice. They penalize my wife's prescriptions for using name brand drugs. She cannot take many generic drugs without having a bad reaction. They have received a letter from her doctor stating that this is so, but they continue to apply penalties. She takes a medication called Byetta, which is a pre-filled insulin pen and it must be refrigerated.
When we questioned them about shipping for this drug, we were told that no dry ice or any other insulated packaging is used. The pen will be useless upon arrival, but they could not understand that. We will continue to use our local pharmacy despite their penalties. They are trying to force people to use their mail order service by constant phone calls and penalties. This practice can't be and should not be legal.
The drugs Medco supplies to consumers are, in my opinion, sub par. I base this on my personal use. I needed to refill my medication so I went to the local pharmacy and received a 1 month refill with a brand name. Amazing how much better I felt with one dose of the same medication, same dose and same drug even if it is generic. What is Medco really supplying? I could almost feel the drug streaming through my veins. With the Medco (crap medication) and unknown quality control, if any, in place who knows who or where the suppliers are located, why is there such a huge difference in quality? The corner drug store did not give me a "brand name" it was generic. Why is there such a difference?
I tried asking Medco about this, condescending and somehow hung up on me. I can't wait to be rid of them. When I look for a job, the first criteria is "is Medco a supplier on your insurance, if so I will look elsewhere." Yes, I am that picky, Emergency Room RN.
In 2011 and again in Feb 2011, Medco debited my debit card without my permission. As a result, I withdrew my debit card information from their online system. On March 28, 2012, I placed refill orders for 8 prescriptions totaling $485.10. My bank mailed funds directly to Medco in Philadelphia the next day. On April 5, Medco customer service is claiming they never received the check and that I must use plastic or e-check to place an order. The bank says it is very unlikely that they did not receive the funds because my funds were sent in bulk form with many other customers.
Medco is the absolute worst run company I have ever dealt with. My story: My brother came to live with me in May of 2011. He had numerous medical issues and had been hospitalized on numerous occasions in St. Louis, MO. I put him in a local hospital by my home and after 9 days, he came out and was doing much better. He was on 13-15 different prescriptions and was filling them at CVS and had no problems.
After filing for his pension from GM, he was told he had to use Medco for his medicines. He was seeing numerous doctors sending in different prescriptions. Two of his doctors told him to find another pharmacy to fill his scripts or find another doctor. They were tired of dealing with the incompetency of Medco and have had numerous problems with them in the past. He explained he must use Medco or pay full price at CVS (over $3,000 a month). His new doctors made numerous calls, snail mail and faxes to Medco, to no avail. Medco would call and tell him "his prescription could not be filled" or "Medco don't carry that brand of medicine". After numerous calls to supervisors and pharmacists at Medco, nothing would get resolved.
Medco sent his insulin in a pen and then would send him syringes to take this medication and would not send the proper pen tips for him to take his insulin. They were arrogant and rude on the phone with him and just plain ignorant to his complaints and appeals. Medco would call him and tell him his scripts were on their way and then send a letter out they couldn't be filled because doctors didn't fill out the form properly. My brother and I would even go to the doctor's office and have them call Medco while we there and gave us a copy of the scripts to be filled. Medco would tell them all was good and then send out the letter of denial.
In July of 2011, my brother had a heart stress test done (doctor said there's no problem with his heart) and a sleep apnea test and was told to use Seroquel sleep medicine, which Medco said they did not have. The doctor ordered a water pill for him to take, to counteract some other meds he was on and gave him some samples till Medco sent him his script. Medco denied his water pill script.
On August 20, 2011, we came home to find a package from Medco, Seroquel, the medication Medco claimed they did not carry. On August 22, 2011, we were going back to his doctor's office to fight with Medco again about not filling his scripts. When my daughter went to wake him up that morning, he had passed away during the night; cause of death was ruled "congestive heart failure". Still to this date, no water pills were ever sent. Good job Medco, saving money for your company is better than saving lives, I guess.
To show how ignorant this company really is, Medco called my brother's cell phone days after he passed away. When I told them he had passed, they told me they would "call back at a better time, when he was available". Medco, you are the scum of the earth. I hope you rot in hell for what you did! R.I.P. Red, you deserved better than this!
Over two weeks ago I called Medco to get information on how the plan worked. I was quoted $90 for a one-month supply of medicine that would cost $10 at local pharmacies with the drugs savings card. At this time, I informed the rep I did not want this medicine and would only need the second prescription. She then told me I should have the doctor fax in the script for a 90-day supply instead of the way it was written, since it is the same price for 60 days as it is for 90 days. I then called my doctor and asked for them to fax the one script in, as Medco suggested, which the doctor did.
Two weeks later, I found a package in my bushes with both medicines. The box was wet with ants on it since it sat there for 4 days since Medco never notified me with a definite send date. Once the box was opened, I found both medicines with a bill for almost $200. I called the company and they ended up blaming the doctor for sending in the script for the unwanted med and basically said they can't do anything but would send paperwork for an appeal which will arrive in a week. I brought up the state of the package when found and they basically told me it is my fault since I knew it was coming, since they always call to let you know the medicine is being shipped.
I then told the associate I never received this call and she said all she can do about this is log a complaint on my behalf. Unfortunately, I am forced to use this company for medicines that are long term. I will be appealing this but I am positive this will get nowhere. The kicker is when I spoke to the first rep, I was told at this time we are required to prepay for orders over $100. How did I get to be so lucky that the one day it was ok to override their policy on shipment, my order was processed.
Medco will not pay for my prescription. I was written a prescription which I need for tomorrow. It turns out that they need further approval from my doctor to pay for it, no clue why. My doctor has contacted them, filled out all their stupid forms and still nothing. I was told it may take up to 3 business days. Today is Friday, so that means I have to wait until the middle of next week to get my prescription. This place is a total joke.
I got an email that my supposed order had been placed. Since I never placed any orders, I logged onto the Medco website. I then saw I had a $97.00 balance. I didn't know why, so I called. The Medco rep said an order for Patanase had been placed. I told her I never went onto the website and placed any order. I asked for a supervisor. I spoke with her and she told me that when my doctor called my new prescription in, that automatically orders it. I told her that's ridiculous and I never gave authorization for anyone to order anything on my behalf. I should've been advised of the price beforehand; at least, that way I could've authorized it. She said I could've called to get the price. How would I have known to do that if I just got an email that an order was placed? I told her someone should've contacted me before just billing me. I asked her to cancel the order. She said she couldn't because it was already shipped. I wanted her supervisor. She said she would mail appeal forms.
I spoke with three different agents, each of whom gave me different answers to my questions regarding deductibles. I set up auto withdrawal with a new credit card after mine was cancelled due to fraud and despite the fact that I had a confirmation number, they had no record of setting up the auto withdraw (I received a late payment notice). The woman at the payment processing center "Donna" was rude and abusive. I have been with Medco for over six years and have never once been late with a payment. They could not even find my ID number despite the fact that it was written on the correspondence in my hand! They had 3 expired credit cards still on my account. When I filed a grievance, they said all they could find after "extensive analysis" of my grievance was that I was put on hold too long! This company is disorganized, rude and arrogant. I intend to switch when the enrollment period comes up again this fall and so do my family members who are enrolled with Medco. They don't know what end is up and don't care a wit about their customers!
I have a prescription for Cialis because I had prostate cancer. I had two refills left. When I called to refill, I was told the prescription had lapsed and I had no refills. I have spent 3 weeks calling my doctor's office, his nurse and Medco. I finally was told the prescription had been sent last Friday. I called Medco this afternoon about 4 pm and was told the prescription was in the process of being filled. At about 6 pm, I received a call that the prescription was cancelled. I called Medco and was informed that the prescription was for 90 days and they only issued medication for 30 days. When they called the doctor's office, the prescription was cancelled. I chewed the representative of Medco out and will contact my doctor. I am filing a complaint with my human resource personnel manager and I am going to do every thing I can to get the company I work for off of Medco. It is really poor service with no attention to the customer or customer service.
My husband had an enlarged prostate for about 6 or 7 years. He was on Flomax for several years with minimal long-lasting relief. Then he had two prostate procedures 5 years apart that helped somewhat. Finally, our primary care doctor gave him some samples of low dose Cialis 5mg that he took for a week or two. It worked wonderfully. No more up at night, no more urgency! Well, when we tried to get a prescription filled, he could only get something like 15 every 60 days! I was back and forth with them as in "what part of daily dosing do you not understand?". They told me, "It's the way your plan is written". Huh? So I sent an email to my Senior Benefits Specialist where I work and was told that "We (the employer), reserve the right to restrict certain classes of drugs". Really? Which class is this one?, I asked. "It's for the treatment of ED (erectile dysfunction)". Well you see, he's being treated for BPH.
The whole time, I am fuming because I have to discuss personal information. Fortunately, it was in email and not in person. She said she'd get back to me on that after contacting Medco. She then told me another story! "We restrict that drug for safety reasons per the manufacturer's recommendations". I said, "Well if that's the case, then why would the manufacturer recommend a daily dose?". No answer. Clearly, Medco was lying to her. I then advised her to go on Lilly's website, they are the makers of Cialis. It says right there in black and white that Cialis 5mg taken daily is indicated for BPH. Conversely for the treatment of ED alone, they recommend 2.5.
After a week and a half of haggling with my benefits person and Medco, now we have to plead with our very busy doctor to take the time to fill out yet another form and then fax it to this special admin appeal number! There is still no guarantee that he'll get the Rx. I hope and pray that she uses the secret magic code they require. What part of enlarged prostate do they not understand? Since when is a pharmacy benefit plan allowed to hold physicians, patients and prescriptions hostage with such draconian measures?
I am 63 years old and disabled. I require personal home care. Thus, I stay with different relatives during the year. Medco said I used too many pharmacies; therefore, they are limiting me to only one. When I need emergency meds and am far away, I either pay cash or not get them. This has caused me to visit the ER when I can't pay cash for inhalers, etc.
Medco has consistently denied filling written prescriptions and refills from my doctor without a PA. I am currently taking chemo therapy, using a dense dosing regimen which requires treatment every week. As part of my therapy, the doctor has prescribed the use of antiemetics to prevent nausea and vomiting 3-4 days after treatment. Medco approved 5 refills; however, they will only provide 12 tablets (enough for 1 treatment) once every 30 days. Hence, I will have no access to the medicine I need for 3 out of 4 treatments and most of the refills won't be available until after the 9 treatments are completed.
How can an insurance company dictate a dosing regimen and override a doctor's instructions? This makes absolutely no sense. The cost to the company for the meds would be the same if the treatments went for 9 months versus 9 weeks. Due to this unreasonable position being taken by Medco, they are basically refusing to make their commitment to pay based on an arbitrary set of standards that are in contradiction to the prescribing physician's instructions.
Everyone is complaining about Medco, the pharmacist, nurses and doctors. Can't anything be done about these unreasonable practices? An insurance company should not be allowed to override a physician's treatment. It is causing unnecessary suffering for the patients and a significant distraction for the physicians from focusing on the patient. Medco is the only company where I have experienced this arrogance and unreasonable business practices for prescription drugs.
I have been trying to fill a script for three weeks now and can not seem to get it approved! I received a letter from Medco for the new mail in order plan for my insurance. I called the the number they gave on the letter and asked about the new service and they explained that after two refills that my insurance will no longer pay for long term meds that I would have to order by mail. They were able to tell me what drugs I have been using and how often I have filled it. My son has been taking a long term med and it needed to be filled and they advised not to wait too long because it can take 7 to 10 days to receive a script by mail. They also told me that I could do this by phone and that they could get a script from his doctor. I thought, "Great!" I waited two weeks and my son was down to two days left of meds so I decided to call and check and Medco advised me it still had not been approved, that it was still in processing.
I explained to them that he was two days shy of running out and they said that they had been trying to get a hold of the doctor. I called the doctor back and had the nurse on the phone in two minutes and explained to them what was going on. The doctor's nurse said she had not received any calls or faxes. I called Medco back and asked what info they had on the doctor (phone numbers, address, etc.)? They had been faxing and calling the wrong doctor! I explained to them, "My son is out of meds!" They told me that they would approve for a week's worth of medicine at my local pharmacy at no charge until this gets figured out! I called the pharmacy the next day and there is no approval for it! I called Medco back and they told me the computer was having problems and I could pay for it and I could send the receipt in with a copy of my insurance and a letter explaining the reason for the refund!
I agreed to do this and picked up my sons medicine that I paid out of my pocket for. I waited five days and my gut told me to call and check. I called and Medco said that the medicine again was still in the processing stage! I was out of mind! After all this and we are still no farther in this process. They said they were still trying to get a hold of the doctor and they gave me the wrong doctor's name again! I had told them again that they had the wrong doctor's info! I asked for a supervisor and they gave me to a case manager by the names of Leon and Marcus! I told them my whole story and they again approved for me to pick up a week's worth of medicine at my local pharmacy at no charge.
Again, I called the pharmacy and they have no approval! This time Medco tells me that they can not approve the medicine because my insurance plan only will approve for two refills and I have to go to mail order! Really? It is a vicious circle! They told me again to pay for the medicine and to send in the information to get a refund! How can I trust a company to refund my money when they can not even receive, keep or get the right information. I left a message to Leon, the case manager, to call me back and I have yet to get a call back! I wished that our insurance company would have left things alone! We are supposed to save money doing it this way but so far it has cost me much more in the long run!
I have taken the day off to go down to my doctor's offices and get the nurse on the phone with Medco and get handwritten scripts to get this resolved. I will be contacting my employer and the Insurance Commissioner in regards to this issue! I have dealt with many companies but have never dealt with such an inconsiderate, chaotic and incompetent company as Medco. It makes you wonder if they are doing this on purpose to keep from paying claims!
On 2/8/2012, I called in a refill for hyoscyamine and asked for the cost. I was first told it was $120 then $96. I've never paid that amount before, so I questioned it and was transferred to a pharmacist. She explained the cost was $120.00. So I told her I did not want the prescription and would check with my doctor to find an alternative and for her to cancel it. She said it wasn't in the system yet.
I received the medicine on 2/14/12 and immediately called Medco. They said they would review the telephone calls and send me a return envelope, which they did. I returned the medicine immediately. I've not heard anything else and thought the matter was taken care of. On 3/19/2012, I tried to refill another prescription and was told that I needed to pay my previous balance first. When I called Medco to explain, I was told that when I called in the prescription, I agreed to pay for the meds. I told the CSR that it was utterly ridiculous that I would agree to return the meds and still pay for them and asked for his supervisor.
I spoke with the supervisor and explained that I was not told that I would have to pay whether I returned the meds or not. After reviewing the phone calls, he had me speak with a pharmacist who said that they would review the calls further and that would take about a week. I told him that I needed another prescription filled now, and he said there was nothing he could do and for me to get it locally.
My husband had surgery, so I sent his medications to Medco pharmacy by 2-day mail and even had it be signature required. After 7 days, Medco claims they cannot find the prescription and that there is nothing they can do. They even refused to look for it any longer. The consequence is that my husband has had to suffer intense pain, as we also sent the money for the prescription (all that we had) in with it. Now, after a week of this, they refuse to call me back and I get "disconnected" when I call.
Mom is 82 years old and has Alzheimer's. She has 2 accounts at Medco; one includes Part D prescription coverage and covers her meds with small co-pays. The other account she has is from my father's union. That account does not cover the drug. When the physician sends script electronically without specifying which account to use, Medco selects the account that will cost the patient the most. I have had 2 persons at Medco (Robin in Management and a person who gave her name as Casey) tell me that when a patient has multiple accounts, it is their policy to select the one that will cost the patient the most! This is outrageous and totally contradicts what they say on their website about caring to help patients achieve affordable health care.
I mailed in 2 prescriptions for 2 different inhalers. Of course, had to give my credit card to charge, they charged it and sent 4 boxes of 1 type of inhaler and 3 boxes of another inhaler. The expiration date is 5/2013; I'm never going to use all these inhalers by then. I have seasonal Asthma. When I spoke with someone at Medco they said nothing can be done. I'm on disability and can't afford for them to charge me for all these inhalers at once. If I didn't give my credit card, they would have never mailed and charged this medicine. Also, they charged $5 more than the drug store.
What kind of coverage is this? We have to pay more because it was not on the plan, why wouldn't I get a phone call telling me that it was not on the plan? This is a waste of money I don't have. I want Medco to take back the inhalers until I'm ready for them and they won't. If I was to take all these inhalers in 1 year, I will be dead, one inhaler has 200 puffs and the other has 160 puffs. Only 2 times a day is required. Thank You.
There are a couple of reasons I am very dissatisfied with Medco. They force me to buy my prescriptions for my daughter's asthma from them. This bothers me because they charge more money than any local pharmacy. This is very unethical in my opinion. I can only have a medication filled 4 times by a local pharmacy before they force me to buy it from them at their marked up price which is $10 more per prescription.
They lost one of my daughter's prescriptions and lied to me about it. I do not like dishonesty. When I called to have her rescue inhaler prescription filled, they claimed they never got it. They even said they looked at the scanned copy of the prescription and it was not on the sheet I had mailed in. The problem with this is that there were 2 prescriptions on one printout from Brenner Children's Center. I even contacted the doctor to confirm that I was not mistaken. They claimed there was only one.
How can you have 2 prescriptions on one piece of paper and only receive one? If I can't trust your company to take care of my family, I can't trust your company. After reading the horror stories of so many others, how are they still in business? Their business practices are very unethical. I wish I could figure out how they are still around.
Atorvastatin (Lipitor) Adverse Event Statement (Generic - RanBay Laboratories, LTD) - On January 25, 2012, I was informed that MEDCO was changing my cholesterol medication from Crestor to generic Lipitor, in spite of the fact that Crestor was controlling my cholesterol very well for eight years. My wife and I both talked to my doctor's nurse, but they said their hands were tied because the insurance company wanted me to take Lipitor. I have had an allergic reaction to Lipitor in the past (rash, flushing and muscle pain) and Lipitor failed to adequately control my high cholesterol. I was told by my doctor's nurse that MEDCO felt it was because I wasn't given a large enough dosage.
I have a long documented history of asthma and COPD and almost immediately after taking Lipitor at bedtime (approximately 1 hour later), I began wheezing, my breathing was labored and I had shortness of breath. I was using my albuterol inhaler every two hours just to get air into my lungs. This went on every evening and throughout the day after taking the medication. On February 9th, I emailed my doctor telling him I was having problems. No response, so I quit taking the 40mg of Lipitor on my own, but it was too late. On February 12, 2012 at 9:30PM, I couldn't breathe and my wife tried to drive me to the emergency room 15 miles away. We made it a few blocks and she had to call 911, the EMT revived me in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. I was released from the hospital on February 14, 2012 with "stop taking atorvastatin (Lipitor) 40mg oral tablet" listed on my discharge instructions.
I now have a constant tingling feeling in my fingers, feet and toes. I believe I had a very serious allergic reaction to the atorvastatin (generic Lipitor) prescribed to me and should have been warned about this and other severe side effects.
My first run-in with Medco related to this medication was in 2008. Medco, like most, is biased to generics and we gave the generic a whirl. It did not work. My MD documented the fact and I wrote the FDA's generic drug office, which keeps records of these issues. The next time my MD sent in the Rx for the brand name med, a Medco rep called my MD to try to convince him to use the generic. I know this because he called me immediately afterward to confirm that his records were correct and the generic did not work. Two days later, a Medco rep called my home at 8:45 pm to tell me I had to switch to the generic or my copay would increase to more than $140 per month. I told the rep that my MD had confirmed the need for the brand name two days previous, and meanwhile checked copays on the website, which showed maximum copay for this brand name at $90 per month. I confronted the rep with that information and he told me I would have to get approval from risk management to use the brand name. So we went around that barn.
A little more than a month ago, Medco incorrectly filled an Rx with the generic. I didn't notice until I opened the bottle several weeks later. By which time, I was no longer insured by Medco. After running me and my doctor around on the telephone for more than an hour on more than six different calls, Medco finally informed me that they would not do anything about it. So Medco saves. The local social services dept gets a three-month supply of a generic I can't use and I wasted a huge amount of time. Medco's explanation is that the MD failed to DAW the Rx. The MD is furious because the Rx forms sent by Medco had brand names or generic names at the top, according to what I take, so she finds their forms misleading. Who would think to DAW a set of forms that have been correctly pre-written for brand names or generics?
As far as I'm concerned, Medco is among the lowest of the bottom feeders. They exploit the distances and time involved in required mail-order Rx to force medication changes that are to the benefit of their bottom line, not their patients. Did I call us patients? The correct name is profit centers.
I get several migraines a month and for anyone that has had them, they are truly debilitating. I was taking Zomig which worked wonders but Medco would only allow me to have four pills for the month. If you read the dosage, you're to take one pill at the onset of a migraine and then if it doesn't go away after two hours, you're to take another. So if you follow this, Medco is only allowing me to take care of two migraines a month. What am I to do with the rest of the month? Suffer! I can't understand why when a doctor calls in a prescription, what right does Medco have to ignore the doctor's request? Doctors earned their degrees. What degrees do these Medco reps have? I even took it upon myself to try a cheaper medication (generic of Imitrex) because Zomig doesn't come in a generic form and still they disregarded what my doctor had prescribed. I get it's all about saving money but what about people's health, when does that come into consideration?
This complaint is identical to Janelle's of Tigard, OR. Medco denies receiving any of the 3 faxes the doctor has sent for prior authorization of a new prescription, yet the same doctor has faxed and received replies for all other meds faxed to Medco, which means Medco is either conveniently ignoring this particular request, dropping the ball repeatedly, or is lost in the Black Hole of "it's in process". How is this saving money or preventing abuse of drugs exactly? It's making a mockery of those in need. When dozens of phone calls have to be made between the local retail pharmacy, the patient, the doctor, Medco, and apparently Blue Cross (who George of Georgetown valiantly claims is the real culprit since Medco answers to the Insurance Company). Even when you get a "real person" on the line at Medco, everything you hear is the familiar bureaucratic doublespeak mumbo jumbo meaninglessness. "Medco loves to throw us under the bus," the doctor's assistant told me. Medco, no one is asking you to do anything any other business doesn't have to do: Be accountable. Something's wrong with the way you're doing things. Admit it, and fix it.
I use my local pharmacy for my prescriptions as they accept the drug company discount cards that make the drugs more affordable. I was told that I will be charged a $25 fee every time I use my local pharmacy and not the mail order. The mail order is Medco and my prescriptions are much higher. I am unable to afford the med. I am also constantly changing meds and do not know what is working the best. Is this a legit practice?
Today, I finally got fed up with Medco lies and contacted an attorney. Here's my story.
On February 6, I was quoted by Medco customer service $73.26 for a Medco 90-day mail order supply of sulfacetamide sodium-sulfur 5-10% wash--an acne skin wash for my son.
But then I noticed Medco billed my credit card on my Medco online account $182.49, so I immediately called Medco. They said the MD prescription called for a one-month supply with 2 refills (90 days). So Medco charges me their "full retail 30-day pharmacy price of $182.49 and intend to bill my credit card $182.49 for each additional refill. This is the same exact generic wash that I was quoted $73.26 (90-day mail order supply) by Medco before I requested the MD to submit a mail order 90-day prescription to Medco.
I called the MD, who was stunned. She called Medco to say it was a mistake and wanted the prescription changed to a 90-day mail order. The Medco rep refused to comply and instead stated the price is correct based on my insurance. The Medco rep brought up the topic of deductible blah blah blah-- irrelevant to the issue--in an attempt to confuse the MD about my plan. The Medco rep told the MD that my price is $182.49 for each refill and $547.47 for the total. Medco refused to acknowledge the MD disclosure of an error or my eligibility for the 90-day mail order price.
I told the MD what's going on, and she's upset. She took an hour and documented her error in a letter to Medco, describing her multiple failed attempts to get Medco to change the prescription from a 30-day + 2 refills to 90-day mail order. She copied mine on the e-mail.
I have the UPS Box containing the medication, unopened, with the original UPS label and tape; and I told Medco I was rejecting and returning it. The Medco rep abruptly said they will not accept the returned UPS package and that my terms hold me responsible for the full charge. My recommendation: Immediately remove your credit card or bank information from their website
Cancel your credit card number. If they do not let you do that, get a different card number. You pay for any mistakes by Medco, Medco pharmacist, or MD. And they basically say "Screw your member." when you try to make your case, even when an MD admitted the error.
Now I know why there are 100's of customer complaints on this board, with more mounting each day. Medco Customer Service staff lie. They lie. They are trained to deceive MDs, and their terms are set up to stiff patients major money for errors caused by MDs and Medco. It just seems so fraudulent. How do they continue to get away with this?
Think about it. All that I and the MD are asking Medco to do is honor the 90-day mail order price of $73.26 for the same exact medication. They still make money. A bunch of arrogant, greedy, bastards. Just sickening that they screw a lot of ill people much worse off than us who depend on their medication to survive. And they get away with it.
I was forced to use Medco by my insurer, Oxford. I was sent a letter over a year ago from Medco, promising that it was reliable, efficient and that it was less costly than my retail pharmacy. I proved to them that it was more costly but they didn't listen and I didn't have a choice. They also lost one of my prescriptions and I had to wait for another shipment (not too efficient, and this is medicine not a shipment of books, this is a necessity!), however, to all of you Medco apologists, you will all insist I should gripe to my insurer. Okay, how about this: When I started with Medco, my prescription had already been partially filled at my retail pharmacy, and so Medco filled only the remainder (that was correct), However, they charged me in full. (That is theft). They insisted that they only have one price (hmmm) however, they refused to send me the total medication for that price, and they refused to refund the difference I already paid my retail pharmacy for that amount of medication, thus, I have paid twice, but only received the medication once.
Medco knew this from the start. They informed me that they were starting the prescription at the later starting period, which made sense, but they never said they were going to charge me in full for giving me less after I already paid my retail pharmacy! That is Medco (theft) point #1. Now onto Medco (theft) point #2: In the beginning, I informed them that it was less expensive at my retail pharmacy, but they ignored me, and I didn't have a choice anyway. 6 months ago, I received a letter from Medco stating that they had miscalculated, and that refunds were being processed. I am still waiting for that refund. And, they have ignored 3 letters regarding the same. Further, I have appealed 3 times to Oxford, by the way, based on this since this entire premise was based on Medco being less expensive, or so they said, (hmmm) and that was a lie and that should be basis for an appeal.
And, one more thing, to all the Medco defenders: please comment on the first ignored refund/miscalculation/subsequent ignored refund, and this link which shows that Medco has indeed been involved in criminal activity! I would love to hear what you all have to say now! Federal and State Litigation Jan 2011! **
