Sorry, but this pharmacy lost all my confidence and therefore I cannot recommend and suggest you avoid them too! I was a customer for about a year after they were recommended by my Pain Management Doctor. Here's my story:
After having my pain meds filled here a few times, the pharmacist suggested I ask my doctor for an acid reflux prescription because they weren't making any money off my pain meds and "we're a small pharmacy who's here to make money." I thought this request was odd and while I would not just ask for a prescription to help them, I did transfer all my prescriptions to their business because they were so down to earth and personable.
Fast forward many months and many prescriptions later. I had surgery on a Thursday and knew that my monthly pain meds could not be filled until that Saturday because I had an existing prescription and Maryland is very strict with narcotics. The prescription was sent electronically before my surgery and Patient Care Pharmacy was to fill it 2 days after my surgery when my prior monthly supply was due to run out. On the day my prescription was to be filled and two days after surgery, I had my wife drive me up to get the pain meds.
It was at this time that the pharmacist informed me that they would not fill my pain medication anymore because "we are losing money each time you fill it here." When I expressed dismay at this, I was told that the only way they could do it was if I paid them $50 to help offset their losses. I refused, because my co-pay was $10 as agreed upon with my healthcare provider. I expressed my concerns over this to the pharmacist and she told me that was their stance and if I wasn't willing to pay $50 then the discussion was over.
I went to my car and called my medical insurance provider and discussed this issue. It was at this time that the provider informed me that Patient Care Pharmacy had already submitted a claim and had been paid for this prescription and that they "Had to honor your prescription and fill it". So, I went back inside and told the Pharmacist this fact and she continued to refuse to fill it because they would "lose money".
I once again called my health insurance provider and they informed me that what was transpiring was illegal because Patient Care Pharmacy was an In-Network provider and to receive that designation, they agreed to the negotiated prices for prescriptions, co-pays, etc. I called the pharmacist and informed them of this fact and they continued to refuse to fill my prescription. As a result, two days after surgery Patient Care Pharmacy allowed me to run out of pain medication because they A.) wanted me to pay a higher premium then the agreed upon co-pay and B.) refused to honor the prescription even though they had submitted the claim and been paid by the health insurance provider.
In the end, I had to wait for Patient Care to submit a release and refund request to the health insurance provider. This whole process took almost a week. They allowed me to run out of pain meds 2 days after surgery because they were "losing money". I also had ALL my prescriptions transferred out of their business because of these shady practices that I encountered.
A formal complain was submitted to my health insurance provider and I have been interviewed by their legal representatives. In addition, I have submitted a formal complain to the Maryland Pharmacy Board due to these illegal activities.
Avoid this business like the plague! It's a shady practice that seduces you with kindness, but really does not care about the patient nor does it honor the agreed upon structures with the health insurance providers. read more
