Illinois’s move to managed care for Medicaid clients is putting the squeeze on small, independent pharmacies… according to state Senator Andy Manar.
Manar says CVS Caremark… which serves as the pharmacy benefits manager for the state… is reimbursing mom-and-pop drug stores at much lower rates than what it pays CVS pharmacies.
But Manar says that because the state has allowed a private company to set those rates, it’s almost impossible for lawmakers to see the books and figure out how much those disparities are costing taxpayers.
Manar tells WMAY that he and state Senator Sam McCann will introduce legislation soon to address the problem.