CVS Pharmacy Shots vs CVS Minute Clinic Shots = Yikes!

[swsig]

Yesterday was the first decent weather day we'd had for awhile, so Mrs. swsig and I decided to venture out to our local CVS store to get our RSV shots. I also needed a Shingrix shot. I went to the CVS website, was directed to the Minute Clinic, and got reservations for the late afternoon. Normally we'd be directed to the pharmacy, but I figured pharmacy or clinic, what's the difference, it's all CVS, right? WRONG!

When we got to the Minute Clinic, the nurse told us that they did not accept Medicare Part D payment for vaccinations, and if we wanted to get our three shots there, we'd have to pay nearly $700 out of pocket! Nowhere on the CVS website was this policy mentioned. The nurse told us to go to the pharmacy and see if they had an opening for vaccinations. Fortunately, they did, and 15 minutes later and 15 feet away, we got our shots at no charge, courtesy of Medicare.

Bottom line: If you're on Medicare (and most of you are ) and you go to CVS for a vaccination, make sure you go to the pharmacy. You'll save big!

 

[Yaworski]

Interesting.

A few years back, I went to CVS to get a flu shot. I have BC/BS insurance but it is from Maryland and I live in Pittsburgh. The local CVS wouldn't accept it, I'd have to go to Maryland.

 

[TX-Dennis]

Interesting.

A few years back, I went to CVS to get a flu shot. I have BC/BS insurance but it is from Maryland and I live in Pittsburgh. The local CVS wouldn't accept it, I'd have to go to Maryland.

They were definitely on some good drugs that day. Mine is from Idaho. I live in Texas. Everybody - I mean everybody - accepts it here. Yours should be good to go, too.

 

[Rustyt1953]

After over 3 decades as CVS customers we switched to Meijer 4 months ago. We were having too many problems with prescription availability and communications with CVS. Meijer has been smooth sailing.

It seems we are not alone:

Ohio Attorney General asks that CVS store be put on probation "for a period of years" - Ohio Capital Journal

 

[JET4]

CVS is a joke around where I live. Takes 4-5 days to get a prescription filled. Change over to Walgreens and it takes about 1/2 hour to fill.

 

[Rotorhead1026]

For those of you that have Costco available, their pharmacy is excellent. You don’t HAVE to be a member, but there sometimes is a member discount.

 

[grover99]

Used CVS for a while but gave up on them. Liked to use the internet to fill prescriptions but their website was a confusing mess. Now use Hy-Vee. Their website is not the best but better than CVS.

 

[DWalt]

I have to get my meds at CVS, which is the only place my health insurance plan uses locally. But that is OK because my plan pays for about everything I take, and 100% on generics. For immunizations and such, I go to the H-E-B supermarket pharmacy. They take Medicare for all immunizations, no hassle. And they charge very little even if you do not have Medicare coverage. Never a wait there.

 

[LVSteve]

Seems like drugstores are like common carriers, it depends where you live. My local CVS is great. Walgreens could never keep it straight that my wife had moved.

 

[Marksman]

Went to Walmart last fall for Sr. Flu shot like I had done for several years, Pharmacist said they couldn't give me the shot. Went down the street to my doctor's office, no problem in and out in 10 minutes.

 

[Retired W4]

As a retired military I have Medicare and Tri-care for Life. The local pharmacy (two shops) dropped my Tri-care so I move to CVS. Their incomitance has been a real pain. I think they have gotten things straightened out, for now

 

[twodog max]

I use a locally owned pharmacy. I can walk in the door and be done in just a couple minutes often without calling beforehand. I had tried Wal Mart years ago. Nope not doing that again.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

I use Larroque's Pharmacy in Jeanerette. Get shots for "free" fill all my scripts there and also his wife collects the dues for the Knights of Columbus. When I used to smoke, I'd go out in the back and share a Marlboro and cup of coffee with the owner and discuss tools. Thank God his daughter is taking it over so I've still have a local drug store until at least I die.

 

[tinkerer]

The last "independant" pharmacy closed here. I had picked up prescriptions the prior and no one said a word about closing.
They forwarded info to Walgreen's. I'll see how that works out.
I much prefer and am willing to pay a bit more for the independant.
All gone now...

 

[Yaworski]

The last "independant" pharmacy closed here. I had picked up prescriptions the prior and no one said a word about closing.

That happened to me as well. Independent pharmacy in my small town. For decades it was the only pharmacy and then CVS decided to open a store. People abandoned the independent like mad.

Saturday, I pickup up a prescription and I went back on Monday and the store was empty.

I later ran into the pharmacist and commented on the abrupt closing. He said that was part of the deal. CVS bought his business but he couldn't give any advanced warning of closure. He wound up with a job at a research facility which he liked because it was 8-5 M-F.

 

[Yaworski]

The CVS near me closes the pharmacy for lunch every day. The pharmacy also closes long before the store does. I'm told that it is because there is a shortage of pharmacists.

I stay with CVS because my prescription coverage is through them and I get a better deal there than if I go to Walgreens.

 

[jjrr]

CVS seems to be just hangin on here, we are keeping an eye on things and if it gets any worse we will go elsewhere. I have been watching what is happening with them and what they say is their big business plan and what I see at the pharmacy we use is not the same.

 

[tinkerer]

Only other options here are Walmart, Meijer or Kroger.

I prefer independants...

 

[SMSgt]

Never a problem getting my shots at Publix grocery.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Only other options here are Walmart, Meijer or Kroger.

I prefer independants...

All three of those have high customer service ratings. We chose Meijer as they were the closest to our new place. We are well pleased.