This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

As a medical hospital employee I have spent my fair share on hold with pharmacies and insurance companies trying to get prescriptions to go through patients insurance plans. I happen to be well versed in dealing with Walgreens and Express Scripts. The battle over brand and generic medication rages on everyday because there will always be a difference in opinion of how well a certain brand medication will work verses the generic medication. It all boils down to money though. The insurance companies want to pay the least amount but then you have companies as middleman, ie Express Scripts, that are the go between the insurance companies and the pharmacies and the middleman ends up with the profit.

As of December 31, 2011 Walgreens is no longer part of the Express Scripts Program essentially due to greed and a failure to compromise. Ultimately, though, they are not seeing the big picture which is that they should be helping to ease the financial burden on patients whether it be low cost medication or ease of obtaining said medications at a local pharmacy. Walgreens offered to not increase rates but Express Scripts was having none of that.

Tricare is the insurance that the military uses which is also being affected. Walgreens even offered to separate the Tricare business from the commercial business but that offer was declined as well. I know understand why I have been calling complete medication lists for patients to new pharmacies that have Tricare insurance being serviced by Walgreens. This ends up being undo worry for parents and patients and extra work for the doctors office personnel.

Walgreens is fighting back in a sense though. They are offering their own prescription benefit plan that is affordable for humans and pets if you can believe that. Promotion price for the Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens is $5.00 for individuals and $10.00 for families (immediate family including spouse, dependents 22 and younger, and pets). This promotion price is from January 1 through 31, 2012 for new memberships and renewal memberships. You must not be receiving Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal or state health care to apply for this savings club. Walgreens is offering savings on more than 8,000 medications including discounts for diabetic supplies, nebulizers, pet prescriptions, and flu shots.

Should you wish to continue to support Walgreens please like Walgreens on Facebook and follow Walgreens on Twitter. You can also find the most up to date information as well.