Comments on Hospice Blog: How to choose a hospice: Why pharmacies matter

HP's model of getting a few days supply at loc...

2009-06-01T16:22:57.011-07:00

HP's model of getting a few days supply at local pharmacies has hurt hospices reputation in their communities. It isn't fair to expect your local pharmacy to keep limited amounts of expensive drugs on hand - they make no money off of a 3 day supply. Also, HP is overcharging hospices by charging a fixed cost per day. We have saved money by paying only for what we use. Also, HP forces

Mail order is a #2 choice -- only a good choice if...

2008-08-13T15:35:00.000-07:00

Mail order is a #2 choice -- only a good choice if there is not a local pharmacy that is specialized to work in hospice hospice care settings. Also, local pharmacies, in addition to not having specialized capability, don't seem to like dealing with Hospice Pharmacia.

Do other mail hospice pharmacies provide automatic...

2008-06-21T00:01:00.000-07:00

Do other mail hospice pharmacies provide automatic shipment of scheduled meds?

I can only speak of my experience with Hospice Pharmacia. There is no automatic shipment of meds. You have to call the Pharmacy Tech or access the automated refill line or go on line. Most meds are filled every 15 days. Sometimes they will agree to provide 30 day supply of routine daily meds (like Lasix or

We too are a more rural hospice and getting our me...

2008-02-18T05:35:00.000-08:00

We too are a more rural hospice and getting our meds via UPS, FedEx, or reg mail. Generally not a problem except for the number of calls required to re-order scheduled. We've been told that the pharmacy cannot automatically ship scheduled medications due to Medicare or Medicaid rules. Likewise we are told we have to contact the physician when the refills run out. This creates more calls. Do

Our hospice switched over to HP a few years ago. C...

2007-07-30T12:43:00.000-07:00

Our hospice switched over to HP a few years ago. Contrary to popular opinion...it wasn't to cut costs. We cover a pretty large service area including several "rural" communities. Trying to manage our patients pharmaceutical needs relying soley on the local "open door" pharmacies was a nightmare. As has been said by others...not all towns have pharmacies that are able to maintain the drugs our

Our hospice has used Hospice Pharmacia for about 5...

2006-10-06T21:54:00.000-07:00

Our hospice has used Hospice Pharmacia for about 5 years. I have to admit, when they first said we were going to use a pharmacy out of state and have meds sent by FedEx, I thought it sounded crazy. After 5 years, I have to say it works better than the local pharmacy we used to use. Advantages are: [1] the comfort pack, [2] FedEx deliveries are very reliable. I have had only 2 deliveries go

I suspect the last two comments were left from Hos...

2006-09-27T13:28:00.000-07:00

I suspect the last two comments were left from Hospice Pharmacia employees. They are correct that HP uses emergency kits, but there's nothing the blogger wrote that is incorrect or unresearched, or even controversial in my view.

HP has talented staff, but they are out of town and cause delays, especially on the phone. Hospice is a local mission and in most communities it makes sense to

the idea of using any local pharmacy is ridiculous...

2005-10-21T08:18:00.000-07:00

the idea of using any local pharmacy is ridiculous. Most local or community pharmacies are barely aware of the laws pertaining to hospice patients, making it more difficult to obtain medications. Frequently local pharmacies do not have the types of medications hospice patients use(i.e transdermal meds, iv's, etc....)Also, those pharmacists are not specialist in the area of palliative/hospice care

Use of Hospice Pharmacia does not force a person t...

2005-08-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

Use of Hospice Pharmacia does not force a person to wait 24 hours for their medication! Meds are available through almost every local pharmacy in our coverage area. We can access a 4 day supply immediately. We also have an emergency kit in the home already which will allow us to access those medications when suddenly need without requiring a trip to the pharmacy at 2 am! (And just try to find