Complain about a product or service

Caremark RX Inc

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Caremark Rx is one of the big three pharmacy benefit managers, companies that supposedly save consumers and, not least of all, their insurers big bucks on prescriptions. But these savings, if indeed they exist, all too often come out of the consumer's hide, as the complaints in this section demonstrate.

Debra of Norwalk, CT July 6, 2008

Debra of Norwalk CT (07/06/08)
I suffer from severe GERD. After a failed trial with Nexium, OTC Prilosec, my doctor prescribed me Aciphex. According to Caremark, this medication required prioauthorization. My physician provided the information indicating that I failed other medication. Caremark refused payment citing I needed to also fail the generic Prilosec first, Omerprazole in order to be eligible for Aciphex. Well I failed Nexium and the trade Prilosec.

Who makes these decisions a real human being or a computer? My HR manager stepped in and contacted someone in the Sate of CT. Low and behold, I received my medication that same evening. But, only after going through extensive red tape. They said the State of CT does not allow for Aciphex.

I was untreated for over 30 days as a result of this. I also had to put out of pocket 189.00. Now I have to go for an endoscopy to see the extent of damage to my esophagus. I suffered from hoarse throat and emotional anguish. On top of having been diagnosed with a rare cancer, I was also denied treatment for over 30 days. How horrible is this?

Geoff of Kirkland, WA July 2, 2008

Geoff of Kirkland WA (07/02/08)
Each time I have called to place an order, I'm told to call another company to see if I'm enrolled in their program (the other company's). So I had to run around and spend another 90minutes of my morning on the phone and at doctor's offices to get a prescription benefit program card to enroll with. I get enrolled, as Caremark asked me to.

I call Caremark to give them the information, and Tanya stated that she now had to call and confirm with company that I was indeed enrolled. So now I'm waiting another 24 hours to place an order for the drug. Also, I've had 2 different answers about how much Caremark is going to cover in this co-pay. I've heard 50%, I've heard 0% until I meet my deductible, nobody has a clear answer tehre.

Financially, it's going to cost me either 75, 700, or 1500. Those are huge gaps to have hanging out there. Figure it out, giant Pharmacy. Physically, the wait worsens my condition. Caremark is a business, remember that. They are open for profit (search the internet for some of their past actions, not pretty), and so far pretty unhelpful.

Racille of Billings, MT July 2, 2008

Racille of Billings MT (07/02/08)
Back in April of this year, my provider faxed all of my prescriptions to Caremark at my annual check up. At the beginning of June, I went in to refill my prescriptions online. I had no refills. I called my provider and asked them to fax them in. They had already faxed them in April, something I already knew. But they re-faxed them for me anyway. Approximately 5 days later, I went in to check my order status. There was no pending order, so I emailed them. I got their standard we have 5-10 business days to process your order. I went in today, more than 10 days after they received them and still no pending order.

So I called Caremark. The representative could find no order. She discovers that Caremark cancelled my order stating the meds had been discontinued. Not true. My provider just faxed them in. During this time, I have had to go to a local pharmacy to obtain a refill of one of my meds because I was out. It cost me triple what it would have had I gotten it from Caremark. I now have to contact the Caremark fast start in the morning and my provider AGAIN. Then wait the eternity for my meds to arrive, that is if the order goes through the 3RD time. I am a nurse and have never seen anything so reprehensible. How can they continue to treat patients this way? My life is stressful enough without adding this to the burden.

I had to cut back on one of my meds from 1 2 times per day to one every other day, just to get through until my meds showed up (which they haven't yet). The meds I am on when stopped or decreased abruptly, cause aweful withdrawal symptoms. It affects my entire life. I paid triple what I would have if I had gotten my mail order like I was supposed to.

Anthony of Milton, FL June 30, 2008

Anthony of Milton FL (06/30/08)
ordered critical medical shipment on 12-05-07 while the co-pay was 45.00. caremark shipped the prescription on 01-03-08, resulting in a higher co-pay. being billed 255.00 more.

being bombarded with collection agency transmittal letters. stress level high.

Ronald of Bellport, NY May 6, 2008

Ronald of Bellport NY (05/06/08)
The word incompetent fully describes Caremark. it seems as though they can not accomplish the simplist task successfully. i'm exhausted from the stress that i've endured due to them not being able to act responsibly and see that a prescription was delivered on time. the busy executive that i am, i have no more patience in dealing with Caremark. because i had not received the prescription, i had no choice but to ween from the drug. cold turkey!

Any professional would tell you that you cannot just stop taking a drug. weeks later, the drug still never arrived, and their customer service staff has no record of such an emergency of my drug being needed. do have the time or energy to gather up documentation from my doctor who worked with Caremark on this matter several weeks ago? the answer is NO. my mission now is to report that Caremark is incometent.

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