Is anyone else getting notice from Kroger Pharmacy that they won't fill rx starting January?

[Grasswire2]

Some kind of a contract issue between Kroger and insurers or providers.

I have gotten three different notices about it and don't understand why this is the case. It's terribly inconvenient.

AND.... this year Kroger wanted $90 cash for a flu shot that cost $29 last year, despite no change in insurance coverage.

[DURHAM D]

1. A friend said yesterday that Kroger Pharmacy has stopped

doing their meds because they are retired military. I think it is called Tricare.

[James48]

2. Yes, TrI-Care cut 1/3rd if all it's pharmacies.

effective back in October.

https://www.legion.org/veteransbenefits/257335/tricare-changes-force-15000-pharmacies-out-network

[Gaugamela]

3. I don't know if it's connected, but Kroger has been running late on employee paychecks,

and they are trying to acquire Albertsons. I wonder if they are trying to pump up their stock value by boosting their 4th quarter revenue, to better position themselves to make the merger.

[hlthe2b]

9. They better be setting aside funds for quite a few anti-trust lawsuits on that merger

The western state AG's are highly alarmed and I know mine is on it.

[Chainfire]

10. When your employer can't make payroll, it is time to hunt a new job.

[marybourg]

4. Me too. Look at their Rx Club.

I'm going to stick with them and use their Club. One of my 2 meds is *free* with their $39 club. The other is cheap.

Both CVS and Walgreens near me are awful. They don't have enough help. Kroger's does. That's why they can't make it on the reimbursements the insurers are offering.

[Grasswire2]

5. It seems just crazy.

I know they've had terrible trouble staffing the pharmacies.

But doesn't Kroger get some grocery business simply BECAUSE ppl have to pick up rx at the pharmacy? it seems very short sighted.

I can get my rx at my medical clinic, but that means a 12 mile trip instead of the neighborhood Kroger.

[patricia92243]

7. I have used Optum Rx for years. automatically mail meds to you.

[Yonnie3]

6. I saw a sign at Kroger

Cigna Express Scripts was named as ending January first. There may have been more, but I don't recall.

Edit to add:

From Kroger website

"Effective January 1, 2023: Our Pharmacy will no longer be an in-network pharmacy with Cigna/Express Scripts, which may impact whether we accept your prescription plan. Our pharmacies participate in thousands of prescription plans as well as many discount card networks. Click here for more information."

Link to a PDF about this https://www.kroger.com/payorupdate

Background Information
Kroger took the necessary step of terminating our contract with Express Scripts (ESI) on September 29, 2022, because the arrangement did not enable Kroger Family of Pharmacies to improve health access, deliver greater pricing transparency, and keep prices affordable for our more than 17 million patients – which is particularly concerning during an inflationary period. Although Kroger Family of Pharmacies will no longer be an in-network pharmacy with ESI as of January 1, 2023, we remain committed to providing our customers with options to continue receiving their medically necessary prescriptions at a Kroger Family of Pharmacies location.

Our efforts to negotiate in good faith have not delivered an agreement in the best interest of our customers. Kroger Family of Pharmacies remains willing to negotiate a contract with ESI that results in a fair, transparent agreement at a rate that benefits everyone – particularly our customers – and prevents disruption of prescription services.

Due to the termination of our contract, most ESI customers who use ESI-sponsored Commercial plans, Medicare Part D plans, or Tricare/Department of Defense (DOD) will no longer be able to use their ESI insurance pharmacy benefit to fill prescriptions at Kroger Family of Pharmacies (including Kroger Specialty Pharmacy) as of January 1, 2023. People may still fill prescriptions at Kroger Family of Pharmacies through other options (e.g., joining the Kroger Rx Savings Club, using a third-party discount card or manufacturer coupon when eligible to purchase a drug, paying the retail cash price, or electing to enroll in a different Part D plan that ESI does not administer).

...

There is more at the PDF document linked

[hlthe2b]

8. Flu vaccines are $30 at Costco, whether a member or not and without insurance

Likely unrelated, but I have increasingly become alarmed at the low level of knowledge of the typical grocery store pharmacists on emerging issues at the various chain grocers. They seem not to have any continuing education relative to new meds, supply chain shortages, emergent contraindications (unless it is programmed into their computer drug notices), CDC-specific recommendations, or the most general issues, but rather have to call their national or regional support staff on everything. I know this has become an issue with (at least) my state's pharmacy board and they are looking into it. It is as though heavily corporatized pharmacy chains don't WANT their pharmacists to think for themselves. Sigh...

[Grasswire2]

11. very, very understaffed at every pharmacy around here.

A Rite Aid where a family member got Covid shots said they are running 900 rx BEHIND every day. Simply can't process orders for lack of staff.

[Grasswire2]

12. That said, my Kroger pharmacist has been a wonderful asset for me.

For more than ten years.

Make friends with your pharmacist -- always good!