Today’s column is going to discuss a situation with my health insurance company, Coventry Health Care, and Walgreens drugstore in Freeport. It’s not my usual style of topic, but it is something that really got my ire up.
Last fall I received an undated letter from Walgreens that stated “your Medicare plan recently informed us that Walgreens will no longer be included in its preferred pharmacy network in 2018.” I was not happy about that, but my experience with Walgreens had been excellent and I had no reason to shop elsewhere. I informed the pharmacist of my decision.
Then early in January, I received a letter and a catalog from CVS telling me that I had a $25 monthly allowance from my health insurance that I could spend on over-the-counter products from CVS. I then called the 800 telephone number and asked if my $25 allowance could be spent at Walgreens and the answer was “no.”
Now I was ready to do battle. From the internet I found the name of the head of CVS in Rhode Island and I sent off a letter. I kept all of my language above board except for the last sentence. If Coventry says I can spend $25 month on over-the-counter items, which is probably included in my premium, why can’t I spend it at Walgreens?” Then I stated “ You cannot coerce, by whatever manner of force you try, Coventry customers to shop at CVS. It won’t work.” That is how I stated my case.
It seems that someone read my letter. Because on Friday afternoon, I received a telephone call telling me that my letter had been received at CVS and was being forwarded to Aetna, Coventry’s parent company. I was informed that it may take a month before I receive a response, but at least I felt my voice was being heard.
To me this felt no different than if Visa told me that I can no longer shop at Macy's, I had to shop at Sears. When I receive a response to my complaint, I shall keep you all posted, because, I do not feel that I am alone in this tangle between corporate muscle and the individual consumer.
Marsha Holden: holdenhousehold9939@gmail.com