Thursday, March 18, 2010

Fight continues between pharmacists' association and Blue Cross

From the Fredericton (NB) Daily Gleaner:
The New Brunswick Pharmacists' Association has taken exception to what it feels is Medavie Blue Cross' advice that consumers should change their pharmacy if it no longer provides pay-direct service with the insurer.

"It's hard to comprehend a private insurer with health care and health care cost expertise advising that route for New Brunswickers," said the association's Executive Director Paul Blanchard, in a press release.

"It's simply inappropriate, unsafe and potentially very costly advice."

Blanchard said the situation arose when the reimbursement scheme under the contract between Medavie Blue Cross and New Brunswick pharmacies expired in January.

He said Medavie Blue Cross granted extensions of the reimbursement scheme to most community pharmacy owners, while staggering the negotiation of a new reimbursement model with selected owners or chains.

Blanchard said pharmacists are trained to provide continuity of care and are most effective in that role when they acquire knowledge of a client over time - something he feels would be jeopardized by patients switching pharmacies. ...more

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