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Bates Drug Stores, Inc. currently serves the Greater Spokane area with pharmaceutical and
medical supplies. We offer free delivery to your home, office, or facility.
Purpose: Bates will be the region's trusted first choice for pharmacy and medical
supplies.We remove healthcare obstacles for customers, caregivers, and facilities
while meeting our responsibilities to our employee shareholders. We are committed
to do "Whatever it takes and then SOME" for all we serve.
Diabetic Testing Supplies Customer-Please read the following letter:
June 10, 2013
Dear Valued Diabetic Testing Customer,
I am contacting you today to clarify some statements made in a recent letter sent to you from the Department of Health & Human Services. I have included a copy of this letter in this mailing for your convenience.
In this letter, the Department of Health & Human Services discusses the mandatory transition for you to receive your supplies via a "Medicare national mail-order contract supplier". The letter states that you will still be able to "buy" your test strips at a "local store". To clarify, Bates Pharmacy will still be able to supply you with all of your diabetic testing supplies, and your current Medicare coverage for these items will still be honored. You will not be charged any extra cost if you choose to pick-up your testing supplies at our stores.
However, due to this program we will NOT be allowed to deliver (either by our local delivery or mail) these products to your home. We have always made it our goal to make health care easier and more accessible, and this program will force many of our clients who are unable to leave their own homes to rely on out of state suppliers for home delivery.
The entire healthcare industry has been trying to convince Medicare that this "pick-up" regulation will place a tremendous burden on you, the diabetic patient. Although this program will reduce the current cost of the Medicare program and it will reduce your out of pocket expenses for your supplies, both of which we believe are good things; this program will force many patients who are unable to leave their homes, whether it be due to illness, weather, or lack of transportation, to rely on out of state suppliers to provide their supplies.
As an industry, we have called on Medicare to reverse this mail order requirement. I would like to ask for your help in this matter. The following is a list of your local representatives. Our representatives need to hear how this new requirements will affect you, the diabetic patient, directly. Your personal stories are truly the most powerful force in this discussion, and it is by telling your representatives your story that we can make a difference. We strongly encourage you to contact one or more of your government representatives listed below. We have also provided a template letter/script to use if you should write or call. Please help us by buying local and keeping your dollars within our community.
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell
311 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
T: (202) 224-3441
F: (202) 228-0514
Website for Contact: www.cantwell.senate.gov
U.S. Senator Patty Murray
54 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2621
Fax: (202) 224-0238
Website for Contact: www.murray.senate.gov
Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers
203 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: 202-225-2006
Fax: 202-225-3392
Website for Contact: www.mcmorris.house.gov
Your support in this matter would be greatly appreciated. If you have any questions in regards to this letter, please feel free to contact me or a member of my staff, as we would be happy to explain this program change and its impact on your testing.
Thank you for your support!
Will Curryer
Medical Supply Manager
Bates Drug Stores, Inc.
(509) 489- 4500 ext 214
Will@BatesRx.com
SAMPLE LETTER TO USE:
Date:
Dear ______________________________,
I am writing/calling you in response to a notice I received from CMS regarding my diabetic testing supplies. It is my understanding due to a cost saving plan, Medicare has contracted a national mail-order supplier to provide my diabetic testing supplies.
I am writing to you to express my displeasure/outrage/concerns (choose a word or your own) and to make clear my wishes to CONTINUE LOCAL DELIVERY. I rely on my local pharmacy to deliver my diabetic testing supplies because: (check one or more)
___I'm homebound
___ It's convenient/Health reasons or weather
___They deliver my prescriptions already
___Timely Service/Exchanges can be made
___I can speak directly to a person if there are questions/concerns
___I believe in freedom of choice with whom I do business
___I believe in supporting local businesses/keeping my money within the community
Comments:______________________________________________________________________
Sincerely,
Your Name
Address
Contact Information
Please see the link below for Tips That Seniors Can Use:
Infographic: Communication and Medication Adherence
Monday, November 12th, 2012
This post was written by Patricia Donovan
Stephen Wilkins, author of "Mind the Gap," built this infographic to describe the 'disconnect' that often occurs between physicians and patients and the impact of this disconnect on medication adherence levels in patients.
Poor Doctor-Patient Communication Is Closely Linked To Non-Adherence
Doctors & patients are seldom on the same page when it comes to prescribing new medications. View this infographic
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