Bartell Drugs’ Admiral location to stop filling Medicaid prescriptions

Bartell Drugs has announced it’s going to stop filling Medicaid prescriptions at 15 of its 57 drugstores as of February 1st, including the Admiral branch here in West Seattle, because, it says, the state is not compensating them adequately for those prescriptions. Here’s the Bartell announcement, in which it urges concerned customers to contact the state. So far, the other Bartell stores in West Seattle are NOT making a change. (Thanks to WSB contributing journalist Jack Mayne for the tip.) FRIDAY MORNING UPDATE: We asked Bartell why this particular store (and the 14 others) but not the rest of the chain. Reply: “We chose stores based upon percentage loss on average script on the program, not geography.”

CB January 7, 2010 (10:59 am)

Why only some of their stores?

WSB January 7, 2010 (11:18 am)

I have already sent that followup question to Bartell media person – will add when we hear … TR

mark January 7, 2010 (11:52 am)

Medicare pays different rates for different areas. In Washington, King County is one rate, the rest of the state is a different, but lower rate with the idea that its more expensive in King County to do business. It also varies from state to state and well as within a state, some states, like Calif have 13 different rates alone.

Dan\'a January 7, 2010 (12:18 pm)

So has the rate that the state pays changed or has Bartell’s just decided that the current rate isn’t adequate? Does this reflect a cost of during business inflation in West Seattle? I am curious as to why just certain parts of West Seattle.

maude January 7, 2010 (12:55 pm)

I have private insurance. Looks like I’ll be taking my prescriptions elsewhere.

Dan\'a January 7, 2010 (1:30 pm)

Ah, it actually says, in the release, that there has been a cut in what Wa State compensation.I should have read a little more closely, eh?
It still doesn’t explain why it is only on certain stores. I wonder if the decision is due to Admiral Heights and Merrill Gardens being so close by. I wonder if there is anyway to actually track the close proximity of retirement/assisted living communities and the stores that will no longer be filling medacaid scripts.

old timer January 7, 2010 (1:49 pm)

How many people can afford to be living @ Merrill Gardens and still qualify for Medicaid?

T-Rex January 7, 2010 (2:08 pm)

And so it begins…..

mark January 7, 2010 (2:31 pm)

The rate changes every quarter but the major changes take place Jan 1. Private insurance companies also base what they pay on these rates. The don’t pay the same rate, but for example will pay 125% of the medicare rate. Its complicated and penny pinching.

mark January 7, 2010 (2:32 pm)

Merrill Gardens and most private assisted living facilities DO NOT take medicare. Only private pay.

JanS January 7, 2010 (3:41 pm)

and folks…medicaid is not the same as medicare. Medicare is for people over 65. It’s the Medicaid (DSHS) payments that they say is a problem. I am on Medicaid through the WA State Breast and Cervical Health program. It also says that I can have dental coverage, but you can’t find a dentist anywhere who will take it because they don’t compensate enough. And, now that this state is in “financial crisis”, and more cuts will be made, I can just bet you that it will come from these programs first.

I, too, would like to know why just some. Could it be that they don’t want to stop all stores from taking it because it’ll affect their bottom line?

mark January 7, 2010 (3:57 pm)

Maybe some of the stores are owned by different members of the family?

KatherineL January 7, 2010 (6:30 pm)

Maybe the Admiral store being so close to the Safeway pharmacy cuts into their business enough to make Medicare unprofitable? It’s possible that somewhere with less competition would bring in enough business for it to be worth their doing it.

Jim January 7, 2010 (8:29 pm)

Of course it’s about the bottom line. That’s what government needs to realize – the bottom line affects everybody.

Dan\'a January 8, 2010 (8:52 am)

Thanks for the info, JanS. I am so sorry you are having a hard time. Have you tried Dr Dunham on California ? He is quite good and I bet he might take Medicaid

NonProgressive January 8, 2010 (4:19 pm)

Wait until that wonderful Healthcare from the Gvmnt kicks in. 500 billion cut from Medicare and Medicaid not to mention certain programs like Hospice will be ended (read the bill @ opencongress.org). No wonder those weasels had to cut deals for votes behind closed doors because it’s a bad deal all around. Even at that, not all will be covered even after it goes into effect and healthcare costs will still continue to rise.

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