Another Express Scripts SNAFU

tjones1935 · December 30, 2014

Now for some reason Express Scripts does not have Warfarin. And did not let me know and just cancelled my request for a refill. When I called to ask about it they told me of the "shortage" and said have a pharmacy call and they would transfer the prescription. I asked CVS to request the transfer and Express Scripts did not transfer it. I called again and this time I find out the prescription has expired.

I believe that that something is going on with Express Scripts, not having generic drugs such as Tamsulosin and now Warfarin.

They do have the non generic drugs though....HUM. Do they make more money that way or is the DOD using this as a method of getting more costs on the retirees?

Bill B · December 30, 2014

tj - I remember your post on Tamsulosin

I use Tam also but am on one of the auto plans. I had mine refilled 5/22 - 7/28 - 8/13 - 11/13. All by Express Scripts. I can't help with the Warfarin (don't take it) but the Tam - those were the ship dates.

Just saying -- think something else is going on.

nana25k · December 30, 2014

Me thinks its time for you to contact your elected officials. Ron takes a drug for his afib that he has recently started being charged for after 3 years. ..its The only one of its kind with no generic. Also recently needed Tamaflu and was surprised at the $17 charge. Went back and checked and only paid $3 3 years ago. Not that we can't afford it but it is interesting

bigjim · December 31, 2014

I have GEHA as a retired DOD employee. We have had express scripts 1 or maybe 2 years. Today is the last day for express scripts under GEHA , starting Jan.1 it will be Caremark/CVS provider. I have a coumadin/warfarin script that was fillable Dec 24. It will be interesting to see if I have the same problem. According to my last email from express-scripts was that it is being shipped. I wonder it the warfarin situation is related to the end of a major account with GEHA. I had 4 other scripts filled on 17 DEC. and got them pronto. I have had "some" problems with express-scripts but most were related to getting perscriptions for outside and writtem properly from my new primary at the VA. ESPECIALLY the warfarin one. I have refills remaining and they are supposed to be transferred automatically to the new carrier but I admit I am nervous about it. If I get my last warfarin in hand I will post it here for information purposes.

tjones1935 · December 31, 2014

I found Tamsulosin at Safeway so get it there now and also checked with CVS and they now have it. Just picked up new prescription of Warfarin at CVS. I think I am going to request another blood test the next time I get my INR checked to see if I am really prone to blood clots in legs (DVT) and if not see about getting off Warfarin for good.

bigjim · January 1, 2015

FYI, I went to my daughters' to pick up mail and my warfarin was there so it must have arrived yesterday. My pills are 5mg so I was thinking maybe your dosage might be different and maybe they were out of just your particular dosage. All very curious isn't it.

SWharton · January 1, 2015

A lot of "problems" that are perceived at Express Scripts is really the plan which you are under and the changes that are made under that plan. We have had Expess Scripts for 20+ years and never a problem but our previous employer has a very good medical/rx plan.

2nd time I have corrected this, didn't take the first time.

bigjim · January 1, 2015

no comprende "e plan r. Can you clarify.

ETCRet · January 22, 2015

I can sympathize with anyone using express scripts. It is horrible, customer service just passes blame, they cancel prescriptions without notice, and they will even send a refill request to your doctor with out your permission or having it setup on autofill. I got tired of their crappy service and told all me doctors to ignore any correspondence from them concerning me. I also called express scripts and told them that I would no longer use their service and explained why. They didn't care or even seem to worry about my issues. I would rather pay the VA or walmart for my medicine than deal with them again.

marspec2003 · January 23, 2015

I and my wife have Tricare for Life. We have had no problems with Express Script except when the dosage of a script is changed. They go back a year and calculate how many doses of a med you have received prior to doing a refill. I think their program only looks at drug name and not dosage. A phone call cleared the problem. They could, however, be more proactive when a drug becomes available over the counter and is no longer covered.

Chalkie · January 26, 2015

I and my wife have Tricare for Life.

As do my wife and I. DW uses Express Scripts and has for a couple of years now with only one issue. That was a case where they were out of a drug. As it turned out, so was the military base. I get all my scrips through the base as I have a couple of high dollar ones and at the base there are no copays.

I would say to those questioning the change in prices for some drugs, check the formulary online if you are military. There were some increases as directed by congress. There have also been changes in how much can be dispensed by mail order or civilian pharmacy as opposed to getting filled at an MTF. It is all there and easy to look up.

Ray,IN · January 27, 2015

I found Tamsulosin at Safeway so get it there now and also checked with CVS and they now have it. Just picked up new prescription of Warfarin at CVS. I think I am going to request another blood test the next time I get my INR checked to see if I am really prone to blood clots in legs (DVT) and if not see about getting off Warfarin for good.

Instead of Warfarin, my Cardiologist put me on Clopidigrel to prevent blood clotting after the stent surgery. ES has refilled it without question. No blood testing requirement, just one pill a day + 1 81mg baby asprin. Downside, I bruise very easily, of course you're familiar with that too.

My scripts problem is a nightmare. ES seems to be having problems, but my biggest was caused by an insurance agent. She submitted to TRICARE that I had bought a part D medicare policy after I declined to buy her $400/month policy. It's taken me since Jan 1 to get that resolved, I hope. TRICARE cannot remove a part D insurance entry from their records. You must mail/fax/hand-carry documentation to a DEERS facility to have them remove the entry.

P.S. Hand-carry works very well, just look up the nearest to you on the internet. Mine is a National Guard armory 10 miles away, but call first to confirm, we all know how reliable internet information is.