Bartell Drugs in Stanwood avoids the cut
By ADAM STEWART Staff Reporter
Bartell Drugs in Stanwood will continue filling Medicaid prescriptions, for now.
Fifteen other locations throughout Snohomish and King counties have discontinued the service, effective Feb. 1, due to reductions in compensation from the state.
Pharmacies are paid by private insurers and Medicaid for prescriptions, based on an industry pricing standard.
The Washington State Department of Social Health and Services (DSHS) reduced reimbursements to pharmacies 16 percent under the standard in July. In September, the rate was cut by another 4 percent due to a court decision in Massachusetts involving a private company calculating the rate.
George Bartell, chairman and CEO of Bartell Drugs, said lengthy discussions between pharmacy industry leaders and DSHS, along with subsequent legal actions, have failed to resolve the issue thus far.
“This is a painful decision and one we do not take lightly,” said Bartell. “We look forward to serving DSHS customers any other way we can.”
If the issue isn’t resolved — Bartell is asking for a return to the established level of compensation prior to the September court action — more locations may be excluded from providing Medicaid prescription services.
Stanwood’s Bartell Drugs was chosen to continue services for the time being based on a financial analysis of prescriptions served.
Other pharmacies in the area, Haggen and Rite Aid, haven’t changed their policies, but are keeping a close watch on pending hearings in Seattle.
“We are continuing to fill the prescriptions of our Medicaid customers while evaluating the difficult situation the state has placed us in,” said Becky Skaggs, spokeswoman for Haggen Food and Pharmacy.
Ashley Flower, public relations manager for Rite Aid said, “We currently intend to continue serving Medicaid patients, but are very concerned about the negative economic impact on our stores and will monitor the reimbursement situation and what happens with litigation filed in the state to stop the cuts. Caring for our Medicaid patients is of prime importance, but at the same time we must be able to meet the cost of doing business.”
Both corporations support the lawsuit filed by the Washington State Pharmacy Association and fear current reimbursement rates will negatively impact Medicaid patients in the long term.
“Pharmacies must receive fair compensation that covers the cost of the drugs dispensed as well as what it costs to distribute and dispense these prescriptions by the professional services of a pharmacist,” said Flower.
Quality Foods Centers (QFC) was contacted regarding any policy changes. No official statement was received prior to publication.
Staff Reporter Adam
Stewart: 629-8066 ext. 115
or astewart@scnews.com.
