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Pharmacy: 509-489-4500
Medical Supplies: 509-489-7453
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   June 19, 2013
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Bates Pharmacy
& Medical Supply

3704 N. Nevada
Spokane, WA 99207

Store Hours
Monday through Friday: 8:00am to 7:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am to 5:00pm
Closed Sunday

Mobile Medical Clinic Quick Care Pharmacy and Medical Supplies
We look forward to serving your prescription needs at Bates Pharmacy and Medical Supply. More...
Non-compliance of medications is " America 's other drug problem." More...
We carry a broad line of durable medical supplies, and we are proud to be HME Accredited More...
 

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. 

          • Compliance packaging
          • Prescription drugs
          • Retail products;  durable medical supplies and medical equipment
          • Free delivery of medical supplies and prescriptions to your door

 

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:
 
 
 MUST - A National Education Campaign for Older Adults and Caregivers
 

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 

 

 
 

 
 

Bates Drug Store Inc BBB Business Review
 

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