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It is not only discrimination it is also price fixing and racketeering ! It is regularly done to those suffering with bleeding disorders under the guise of controlling costs. However, the reality is that many of these mail order schemes are more about profit sharing and diverting business from legitimate pharmacy services by REQUIRING health plan beneficiaries to use these mail order services. It targets people with a specific health condition, which is clearly prohibited on every level.
That's why people don't wanna get tested because of all these discrimination & stigma problems.You are a fish that gets caught in the net taken out of the sea,and then placed in an aquarium without salty water.I don't get it.They want everyone to get tested for HIV with the illusion that people will be fine with treatment after the get infected.Sounds good,but not so good when you get it. All of that talk is garbage to me.If they really want to rid of AIDS,everyone must have access to treatment.
CVS Pharmacy has started the same practice as of 2015. Not sure if the cost is higher, but it must be via mail order and a special list as well. #CVSPharmacy
Happy to see this. I have Aetna and was forced to do this through mail order. which was inconvenient at times, what did make me upset was they would not accept co-pay assistance cards that I was given for Reyataz and Viread. Aetna, at least in my plan recently switched pharmacy, but the costs are still out of control.
I moved to Aetna in Jan.2015. And they will not cover Norvir Liquid. They want me to pay $1515 per month for the drug. So I'm not taking it any longer. Oh well for health coverage.
I selected Aetna as my health Care in Jan. 2015. I had a bypass in Dec. 2014. I can no longer take pills/tabs/caps. My doc changed my meds to liquids and powder Hiv meds. It's been 3 weeks and I'm still without meds from Aetna Specialty Mail Pharmacy. They want co-pays of up to $1500.00 for meds. My previous Health Care Co-pays were $38.00. Aetna is definately discriminating against HIVers!
This happened with my Oxford insurance. I never thought of it as discrimination, I figured they insisted on mailing because it was cheaper for them to ship direct instead of paying the pharmacy for the meds. I opened up a small PO box because I didn't want it coming to my house. I am not saying they are right for doing this but I kinda like picking up unknown pills at the post office instead of known medication at the drugstore face to face.
Soulman
Some think this is legal. Please allow me to clarify why it is NOT legal. If everyone in a plan is required to use these special pharmacies (some are mail order) then it may be legal. However, if only select individuals are forced to use these pharmacies then it is discrimination. Many of the drugs on these lists treat severe conditions and need 24/7 support services which these special pharmacies do not provide. They are also very expensive drugs. Insurers are self dealing for profit.
May 12, 2015