The Briefing Room

General Category => National/Breaking News => Topic started by: Cincinnatus on December 31, 2013, 06:35:34 am

Title: Walgreen offers month of prescriptions to backlogged Obamacare enrollees
Post by: Cincinnatus on December 31, 2013, 06:35:34 am
Quote
Walgreen Co said on Monday it will provide a month's supply of certain prescriptions at no upfront cost to U.S. participants who have not yet received a plan identification number under President Barack Obama's signature healthcare law.

 The offering comes as U.S. government officials struggle to roll out the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Myriad enrollment problems have dogged the site's website, HealthCare.gov, since its October launch and many insurance companies have said they are not getting accurate enrollee information to be able to process required forms.

 Walgreen, the largest drug store chain in the United States, said customers who have enrolled in Obamacare, but don't have an ID yet from an insurer, can bring proof of their enrollment from now through the end of January to a Walgreen's pharmacy.

 The pharmacy staff will verify their enrollment and provide up to a month of generic medication at no upfront cost, the company said in a statement.

 As soon as the customer receives the ID number, Walgreen will process the insurance claim and the customer at that time may be responsible for any co-pay, Walgreen spokeswoman Markeisha Marshall said.

 The company wanted to make sure customers had no interruption in their prescriptions, Marshall said.

 Walgreen said it was working with the White House and other federal agencies about Obamacare's implementation. The company said its offer does not include so-called "complex therapy medications."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-walgreens-obamacare-20131230,0,753215.story

A nice gesture on the part of Walgreen, or is there a hidden agenda? One thing sure, it brings into relief more ObamaCare shortcomings.
Title: Re: Walgreen offers month of prescriptions to backlogged Obamacare enrollees
Post by: 11thCommandment on December 31, 2013, 05:17:49 pm
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-walgreens-obamacare-20131230,0,753215.story

A nice gesture on the part of Walgreen, or is there a hidden agenda? One thing sure, it brings into relief more ObamaCare shortcomings.

Probably so Walgreen makes more money because I think all prescriptions under Obamacare are paid with only a small copay, so more prescriptions under Obamacare means more money in Walgreen's pocket, so they have good reason to play cuddly with Obama to stay friends with the government.
Title: Re: Walgreen offers month of prescriptions to backlogged Obamacare enrollees
Post by: SouthTexas on December 31, 2013, 05:23:26 pm
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-rt-us-walgreens-obamacare-20131230,0,753215.story

A nice gesture on the part of Walgreen, or is there a hidden agenda? One thing sure, it brings into relief more ObamaCare shortcomings.

Break out all the Lortab scripts!  Free pills!!!
Title: Re: Walgreen offers month of prescriptions to backlogged Obamacare enrollees
Post by: EC on December 31, 2013, 09:36:07 pm
It's a sensible marketing ploy. Builds brand loyalty at very little financial risk. Besides - you go into a Walgreens for a prescription, you nearly always pick up other things on the way in or out.