[Chris]

Does anyone here use CAREMARK PHARMACY? It's a mail order pharmacy. We just got something in the mail from our insurance carrier stating that if we signed on with them our prescriptions would be delivered to the door, and instead of paying a co-pay every month, they would only charge 2 copays for 90 days worth of medication. They also said in the brochure that it is cheaper.

But, we already get 90 days worth of every medication, so we only pay one co-pay per medication every 90 days. I'm so confused, and my husband is not on any medications on a regular basis. We've been using CVS, and so far they have been pretty good. They send notes in the mail when a presciption is due to be picked up, or needs a renewal. So, I don't see why Caremark would be better for us in the long run? Have I made a mistake? If we only pay one co-pay for each 90 day prescription now with CVS, and Caremark wants to charge us 2 co-pays for each 90 day prescription, then staying with CVS is going to be cheaper.

[DM]

Hi Chris~ We have Caremark RX Service thru/DH's employer. How is works for us is, if the Dr writes an RX that is a one time RX. like an antibiotic or pain med etc.; then we take it to the Pharmacy and pay $8 for namebrand or $5 copay for Generic. We are allowed one refill thru the Drug Store if the Dr indicates it.

For long term meds, like my RX's, we send the script into Caremark and can receive 90 days of the RX for $5.00 renewable for a yr. We have always done it this way thru Caremark and I have never had any trouble w/them..

I just call in the refills through their automated service. I'm sure employers have diff plans. The meds come right in our first class mail...

Not sure if this helped you or not....Contact the # on the back of your RX card and ask them... Or call the # on one of your RX bottles to get Caremark directly. Good luck.

[Chris]

Thank you DM. The problem is, I DON'T have any of their bottles, and they didn't issue a new card. Our RX plan is on our insurance cards. They just sent us something in the mail. I guess I ought to call Caremark, and ask them what would be best in my situation. This is so confusing. The thing that has me confused is the co-pay thing. I only pay one co-pay for 90 days worth of medication right now, but they are saying they'll only charge us 2 co-pays for 90 days worth of medication. Also, I'd like to see a printout of what they charge for the drugs that I presently take. I don't mind having to pick up the presecriptions on my way home from work. CVS is literally in the same shopping center as the grocer we use.

[Kitty]

Caremark delivers my Betaseron - right to my house. They used to call me when it was time for another shipment but not anymore! I was told when I called last time (I nearly ran out thinking that they would call me!!) that I would have to call them from now on when it's time for a refill because they have downsized, closed an office and have minimal staff. Did the cost of my medication go down, too? I think NOT.

[AfterMyNap]

I opted out of CareMark for two reasons: If I'm going to be away, I don't have to worry about my meds sitting unattended; and, when I'm away I can get refills anywhere in the nation without a hassle.

I use Walgreen's and am able to schedule refills online, put them on express pay (copay goes right on my credit card) and I can drive up to the window, grab my stuff and drive away. That may not be a priority for everyone everywhere, but for a gimp like me, in -20° it's a real plus. They also automatically contact my docs when it's time to renew my scrips. I get an email when they start preparing it and another when it's ready for pick-up. I'm sold.

[Bannet]

Originally Posted by AfterMyNap

I opted out of CareMark for two reasons: If I'm going to be away, I don't have to worry about my meds sitting unattended; and, when I'm away I can get refills anywhere in the nation without a hassle.

I use Walgreen's and am able to schedule refills online, put them on express pay (copay goes right on my credit card) and I can drive up to the window, grab my stuff and drive away. That may not be a priority for everyone everywhere, but for a gimp like me, in -20° it's a real plus. They also automatically contact my docs when it's time to renew my scrips. I get an email when they start preparing it and another when it's ready for pick-up. I'm sold.

Your spoiled

[Chris]

Originally Posted by AfterMyNap

I opted out of CareMark for two reasons: If I'm going to be away, I don't have to worry about my meds sitting unattended; and, when I'm away I can get refills anywhere in the nation without a hassle.

I use Walgreen's and am able to schedule refills online, put them on express pay (copay goes right on my credit card) and I can drive up to the window, grab my stuff and drive away. That may not be a priority for everyone everywhere, but for a gimp like me, in -20° it's a real plus. They also automatically contact my docs when it's time to renew my scrips. I get an email when they start preparing it and another when it's ready for pick-up. I'm sold.

Cindy, CVS operates in a similar manner. They contact me if an Rx is due for pickup, or they willl Fax my physician on their own if no refills are left. We too have a drive through, and the pharmacist knows me, so I feel comfortable with him. We can also have a Rx transferred from state to state when we go back to FLA to visit (I once forgot to bring a Rx with me, so they called here, and just left that number of pills out of the next 90 day refill).

It sounds as if we should just stay with what we have for now especially since I'm going to be starting on Tysabri in the future (if I ever get clearance that I'm well ).

Thanks for all of your experiences with Caremark. I most certainly appreciate it.

All the best,
Chris

[KarenMarie]

I use Caremark too - signed up for Advantra RX in Nov and it's Caremark - I had used them for Copaxone in Jan and they were going to be quite accommodating as our address changes during the year - but they were really fuzzy when it comes to quoting prices and I didn't realize that they use the entire cost of the Copaxone when figuring out the donut hole - which in their case Copaxone is $1820 a month - my co-pay is somewhat less -am going to do a lot more shopping around before the next open enrollment - and the gentlemen I had to speak with that handles my area has quite an accent - so it's possible I missed something he said - but I doubt I would have missed $1820 !!!!!

[SurvivingMSwithHOPE]

Hi Chris,

I just received my final bill for my Avonex co-pay and the envelope now says CVS/Caremark. Maybe CVS bought Caremark, or vice versa, or maybe they have always been connected in someway.

Wonder if that is why? Just a thought. I don't know where the hospital gets my Tysabri. First infusion was at a Neuro office and second at the hospital and the bill at the hospital was $8900 I about fell over! In a year.....$106,800!! They told me at the Neuro office it would run about $4000.

Take Care

[Chris]

Oh dear! I think they ought to take the "CARE" out of CAREMARK after reading some of your experiences. Michael is going to speak with the HR person in his office tomorrow to see what is going on. We have Blue Cross Blue Shield. Is that what some of you have as your insurance provider?