Health and Wellness
Express ScriptsThis business is NOT BBB Accredited.
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Important information
- Customer Complaint:Better Business Bureau has received a pattern of complaints against Express Scripts. Complainants allege billing issues, difficulty obtaining a prescription, and poor communication with the company.
Complaints
This profile includes complaints for Express Scripts's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see
Customer Complaints Summary
- 1,554 total complaints in the last 3 years.
- 492 complaints closed in the last 12 months.
If you've experienced an issue
Submit a ComplaintThe complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.
Initial Complaint
Date:08/09/2022
Type:Delivery IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
Express scripts filling a prescription through them is the worse. Dr office called in prescription on August 2 it was filled august 3 I called in on august 5 to check the status and was informed that it will take 7 days to process before it can get sent out to me. I was instructed to have my Dr call it in somewhere else since I was out to get me a hold over supply this is where I found out from my local pharmacy that it was already filled. Called them back on August 7 was informed they are waiting on my Dr to call them back to change something on my prescription which I was never notified or told before then that it was needed. My Dr office is one who will call something in that same day hence me going to the local pharmacy because they called in a new prescription same day I called them. The supervisor at express scripts told them they would cancel my order it will take 3 hours and they will give me a call back I never heard back from anyone and I called back to find out it was never canceled and it was still processing. I'm still waiting on my medication that I am out of from them with no one returning my calls or giving me a straight answer.Business Response
Date: 10/06/2022
October 6, 2022
Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Missouri and Southern
Illinois
211 N. Broadway, Suite 2060
Saint Louis, MO 63102
Attn: Dispute
Resolution Department
*** ********* ******* * ********
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am in receipt of your letter regarding a complaint filed
by ********* *******. As a result of
your letter, Express Scripts reviewed *** ********* concern and would like to
take this opportunity to respond.
By way of background, Express Scripts administers
prescription drug benefit plans on behalf of plan sponsors. Express
Scripts provides plan sponsors with “core” pharmacy benefit management
services, including third-party claims processing, formulary administration,
benefit plan communications, and other similar activities. Express
Scripts’ home delivery pharmacy provides home delivery of prescription
medications to beneficiaries of the pharmacy benefit plans sponsored by the
clients. These services, contracted by the plan sponsors, satisfy the
plan sponsors’ goals of providing a cost-effective, seamless and clinically
appropriate benefit for its patients.
*** ********* expressed frustration that her prescription
was not received when expected. In
review of *** ********* prescription history, Express Scripts Pharmacy received
a new prescription that was for a thirty-day supply. To maximize *** ********* prescription
benefit, Express Scripts Pharmacy contacted *** ********* provider to verify if
a ninety-day supply versus thirty-day supply could be dispensed in order to
save on cost yet there was no response.
*** ******* contacted customer service, for status of her
order, and was provided the option to cancel the Express Scripts Pharmacy order
that would allow her to secure a short-term retail supply. *** ******* opted to cancel the prescription
to secure at retail and her prescription was canceled as requested. In reviewing *** ********* claim history, the
medication was secured through her retail pharmacy.
Express Scripts attempted to reach *** *******; however, she
was unavailable. I trust this letter has
been responsive to your request for information regarding this complaint. If you have any questions regarding this
matter, or desire any further explanation or information, please contact me
directly at (800) 871-4663.
Sincerely,
***** ************
Senior Manager, Executive CorrespondenceInitial Complaint
Date:08/09/2022
Type:Customer Service IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I have submitted my new insurance information every time I called to refill my prescription for the past three weeks. There is no process for updating insurance information and no customer service representative actually updates the information, resulting in me not being able to refill my prescription. I have called and spoke to a patient care advocate every day only to have zero measurable results. They also seem to not be able to use a phone to call me back. This pharmacy is inefficient, ineffective, and quite ridiculous. Due to their lack of abilities, I am always without medication. They need to be audited as well.Business Response
Date: 08/25/2022
Dear Sir/Madam:
I am in receipt of your letter regarding a complaint filed
by *** *********. As a result of your
letter, Express Scripts reviewed *** *********’s concern and would like to take
this opportunity to respond.
By way of background, Express Scripts administers
prescription drug benefit plans on behalf of plan sponsors. Express
Scripts provides plan sponsors with “core” pharmacy benefit management
services, including third-party claims processing, formulary administration,
benefit plan communications, and other similar activities. Express
Scripts’ home delivery pharmacy provides home delivery of prescription
medications to beneficiaries of the pharmacy benefit plans sponsored by the
clients. These services, contracted by the plan sponsors, satisfy the
plan sponsors’ goals of providing a cost-effective, seamless and clinically
appropriate benefit for its patients.
*** ********* expressed concern with challenges receiving
his medication from Express Scripts specialty pharmacy, *******. According to *** *********’s prescription
plan guidelines, the medication in question requires a Prior Authorization (PA)
to allow for the medication to be covered plus a PA to allow for the quantity
prescribed. *** *********’s prescriber
initiated a coverage review and the PA for coverage was approved on August 10,
2022 and is valid until August 10, 2023. Additionally, the PA to allow for the prescribed quantity was approved
on August 10, 2022 and is valid until February 10, 2023. As a result, the medication was shipped and
delivered on August 12, 2022.
I trust this letter has been responsive
to your request for information regarding this complaint. If you have any questions regarding this
matter, or desire any further explanation or information, please contact me
directly at ***** ********.
Sincerely,
***** ************
Senior Manager, Executive CorrespondenceInitial Complaint
Date:08/07/2022
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
To Whom It May Concern:
I am calling to protest repeated overbilling for ************** received for my daughter 9/30/22, 11/22/21 and 6/22/22 despite coverage under the ********** ********* *******.
Over the last six months I have communicated with ******* repeatedly by phone and mail, providing the ********** ***** ********** information for my daughter (listed above) each time. On each call I am told that rep sees the ********** information and that this will definitely be resolved this time.
This overbilling is bordering on financial harassment and adds stress and anxiety to family concerns about my daughter’s health and provision of expensive medications.
I am also now also calling to protest incorrect copay billing for ******** – despite having been repeatedly instructed to bill copay for ******** to ***, ******** has billed that copay to ********** – using up that benefit. The only good thing about this is that it does prove ******* has the ********** information.
Please call to confirm you are addressing this. I need this resolved immediately.
***** ***********
*** *** **** *** **** ** ** *** *** ** ** *****
Log of calls and letters
7/7/22 – letter
6/30/22 – receive bill in mail for $4,515.84 for deliveries 9/30/22, 11/22/21 and 6/22/22.
6/24/22 – ******* phone rep says there are notes on file but no action was taken. She is reaching out to billing – submitting paper bills this time and put in today. Says ******* didn’t add renewal of the ********** copay info for this year till 6/18!
6/18/22 ******* phone rep tells me submitting form and will resolve the outstanding $3k
4/14/22 I called ******* again and provided ********** fax number as requested (************). ********** tells me “will set up so can take care of for you now”
3/11/22 Continuing to receive bills – Sent letter to ******* with returned bill notifying no payment due
2/10/22 – I call ******* about billing and copay problem, provide ********** copay number again and am told thisBusiness Response
Date: 08/24/2022
Dear Sir/Madam:
I am in receipt of your letter regarding a complaint filed
by *** ***********. As a result of your
letter, Express Scripts reviewed *** ***********’ concern and would like to
take this opportunity to respond.
By way of background, Express Scripts administers
prescription drug benefit plans on behalf of plan sponsors. Express
Scripts provides plan sponsors with “core” pharmacy benefit management
services, including third-party claims processing, formulary administration,
benefit plan communications, and other similar activities. Express
Scripts’ home delivery pharmacy provides home delivery of prescription
medications to beneficiaries of the pharmacy benefit plans sponsored by the
clients. These services, contracted by the plan sponsors, satisfy the
plan sponsors’ goals of providing a cost-effective, seamless and clinically
appropriate benefit for its patients.
*** *********** expressed concern stating Express Scripts
specialty pharmacy, *******, did not bill her daughter’s Copay Assistance (CPA)
and requested a refund. *** ***********’s daughter’s CPA on file was billed for the September 30, 2021 and
November 22, 2021 order; however, both claims rejected since coverage
expired. Additionally, ******* billed
the CPA on file for the June 22, 2022 order and was paid-in-full resulting in a
$0 patient responsibility.
In an effort to resolve, a one-time courtesy copayment credit
in the amount of $3,010.56 was applied to *** ***********’ daughter’s account,
on August 24, 2022, resulting in a $0 balance.
I trust this letter has been
responsive to your request for information regarding this complaint. If you have any questions regarding this
matter, or desire any further explanation or information, please contact me
directly at ***** ********.
Sincerely,
***** ************
Senior Manager, Executive CorrespondenceInitial Complaint
Date:08/07/2022
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
My employer-provided insurance (*******) contracts with *****, a pharmacy benefits (mis)management company, which in turn contracts with Express Scripts/*******. My experience with this unholy trinity has been a nightmare. I have been repeatedly turned away from the pharmacy and told I don't have valid benefits (I do) including for COVID vaccines and ********. When I submit the claims directly to *****, they are rejected because of "no coverage," but again I have valid coverage. Now ******* has frozen my specialty drug refill, which is due tomorrow. I was on the phone with them every day this week, including 1.5 hours on Saturday 8/6 when I was on hold for over an hour on TWO SEPARATE PHONES and the issue still isn't resolved. I will not receive my medication on time and will miss my next monthly injection. This level of incompetence is utterly unacceptable for a company that literally has people's lives in its hands. They must be shut down!Business Response
Date: 08/24/2022
Dear Sir/Madam:
I am in receipt of your letter regarding a complaint filed
by *** *********. As a result of your
letter, Express Scripts reviewed *** *********’s concern and would like to take
this opportunity to respond.
By way of background, Express Scripts administers
prescription drug benefit plans on behalf of plan sponsors. Express
Scripts provides plan sponsors with “core” pharmacy benefit management
services, including third-party claims processing, formulary administration,
benefit plan communications, and other similar activities. Express
Scripts’ home delivery pharmacy provides home delivery of prescription
medications to beneficiaries of the pharmacy benefit plans sponsored by the
clients. These services, contracted by the plan sponsors, satisfy the
plan sponsors’ goals of providing a cost-effective, seamless and clinically
appropriate benefit for its patients.
*** ********* expressed concern with challenges receiving
her medication from Express Scripts specialty pharmacy, *******. *** ********* contacted *******, on August 4,
2022, to order her medication; however, the claim rejected due to coverage
terminated resulting in ******* confirming *** *********’s benefits with her
plan sponsor. Once benefits were
confirmed, ******* contacted *** ********* to schedule the order yet had to
leave a message. *** ********* returned *******’s
call, on August 13, 2022, schedule the order that was delivered on August 16,
2022 via *** **** *** ***.
I trust this letter has been
responsive to your request for information regarding this complaint. If you have any questions regarding this
matter, or desire any further explanation or information, please contact me
directly at ***** ********.
Sincerely,
***** ************
Senior Manager, Executive CorrespondenceInitial Complaint
Date:08/05/2022
Type:Billing IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
I paid out of pocket $169.99, for my prescription as I have an *** and it was less expensive than going through my prescription drug plan. my prescriptions were filled on the following dates:
3/31/2022
4/30/2022
5/28/2022
6/27/2022
The 3/31/2022 and 4/30/2022 were reimbursed to me. The one for 5/28/2022 and 6/27/2022 were not as I was told they were filled too soon. The policy apparently states refills are allowed if less than 75% of the prescription remains, which is about 7.5 days medication remaining. On 5/28/2022, I had 2 days remaining prior to the refill pickup, (my pharmacy is closed on Sunday's and was closed on 5/30/2022 which was the Memorial Day holiday).
The one for 6/27/2022, I would had only 5 days medication remaining, still under 75% remaining. I should be reimbursed $134.99 for each of these prescriptions.Business Response
Date: 08/23/2022
Dear Sir/Madam:
I am in receipt of your letter regarding a complaint filed
by Ms. ************. As a result of your
letter, Express Scripts reviewed Ms. ************’s concern and would like to
take this opportunity to respond.
By way of background, Express Scripts administers
prescription drug benefit plans on behalf of plan sponsors. Express
Scripts provides plan sponsors with “core” pharmacy benefit management
services, including third-party claims processing, formulary administration,
benefit plan communications, and other similar activities. Express
Scripts’ home delivery pharmacy provides home delivery of prescription
medications to beneficiaries of the pharmacy benefit plans sponsored by the
clients. These services, contracted by the plan sponsors, satisfy the
plan sponsors’ goals of providing a cost-effective, seamless and clinically
appropriate benefit for its patients.
Ms. ************ expressed concern stating Express Scripts
Pharmacy denied her reimbursement request for out-of-pocket expenses. Ms. ************ secured a thirty-day supply
on March 31, 2022 and April 30, 2022; therefore, her next refill date would
have been on May 30, 2022. As a result,
the two direct claims, dated May 28, 2022 and June 27, 2022, rejected for
refill too soon in accordance with Ms. ************’s prescription plan
guidelines. In an effort to resolve, a
one-time courtesy override was approved and the direct claims were processed
with a check in the amount of $271.98.
I trust this letter has been
responsive to your request for information regarding this complaint. If you have any questions regarding this
matter, or desire any further explanation or information, please contact me
directly at ***** ********.
Sincerely,
***** ************
Senior Manager, Executive CorrespondenceInitial Complaint
Date:08/05/2022
Type:Service or Repair IssuesStatus:AnsweredMore info
Complaint statuses
- Resolved:
- The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
- Unresolved:
- The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
- Answered:
- The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
- Unanswered:
- The business failed to respond to the dispute.
- Unpursuable:
- BBB is unable to locate the business.
We are filing this complaint as a contracted ******** ******** with Express Scripts. They are knowingly underpaying claims based off non-negotiable contract rates which they set too low for service compensation. They have a process for which you can file a "MAC Appeal" when claims are underpaid. However, they routinely reply to almost all underpayment disputes with a response of "The claim in question was not reimbursed via MAC, but rather at your contracted rate. As such we are unable to approve your appeal." We have identified this practice by Express Scripts as intentionally and knowingly underpaying healthcare providers for services rendered and consider this to be them actively conducting REVERSE INSURANCE FRAUD. The insurance company is manipulating the healthcare system and lack of regulatory oversight of **** to intentionally pay very low reimbursements which are well below the actual cost of care. You can provide them with invoices proving to them of the significant payments below cost for services they are forcing on providers and they always give that same bucket MAC Appeal denial response. Recently they sent our ******** what they call a "solicitation for participation in the Express Scripts Federal Network" for ******** providers and stated we have 15 days to accept new recontracting terms which will include an additional payment reduction to discount WAC percentage for Brand Name Medications an additional 5 basis points to further reduce their payments which are already below cost to even lower levels. On generic medications the non-negotiable contract terms would further reduce reimbursements an additional 50 basis points. Again this is a non negotiable take it or leave it contract which they hold with the intention to further underpay providers so they can make more money off their Federal Contract to pay larger bonuses to their CEOs while bankrupting ******** providers nationwide by intentionally paying insufficient service rates.Business Response
Date: 08/15/2022
August 12, 2022
Thank you for the opportunity to address the concerns of
******* ** *******, the owner of ****** ********* ********. First, we would
like to clarify that this ******** is not a “consumer” of Express Scripts’
services. The ******** has contractually agreed to participate as a provider in
Express Scripts’ ******** network. A ******** network is a group of pharmacies
that provide services to beneficiaries of health plans and insurers that
contract with Express Scripts. Though, as discussed in more detail below, we do
not feel that the BBB is the appropriate forum for these allegations we are
happy to provide additional information on *** ******** assertions to help
resolve this dispute.
*** ******* appears to be alleging three primary issues with
Express Scripts, which we will address in turn:
*** ******* alleges Express Scripts is “knowingly” underpaying *** ******** ********.
*** ******* voluntarily contracted with
Express Scripts on behalf of his ******** and agreed to the reimbursement rates
set forth in his agreement with Express Scripts. *** ******* has provided no
evidence that Express Scripts has violated the terms of that mutually agreed
upon contract or violated any applicable laws. Rather, by submitting this
complaint, he appears to be seeking to undo his previous decision to contract
at those rates by filing a barrage of frivolous claims against Express Scripts.
Of note, *** ******* has threatened to also complain to the ******* ***** **********, the ********** ** *******, and state representatives.
*** ******* appears to be requesting in his
complaint and his prior communications1 that all pharmacies can rewrite
mutually agreed upon and contracted reimbursement rates if the ********
unilaterally determines that it wants more money. This is not the law in *****.
If *** ******* is unhappy with the terms of
his contract with Express Scripts, then he can request to terminate it. To
date, *** ******* has not made such a request to Express Scripts.
*** ******* alleges Express Scripts is in violation of the ***** law concerning Maximum Allowable Cost (MAC) Appeals which results in “reverse” insurance fraud.
Express Scripts confirms that ***** does
have a MAC appeal law which requires that PBMs, Express Scripts included,
review any appeals for applicable prescription drug claims that were reimbursed
pursuant to a MAC. In responding only to the references made in *** ********
complaint (we have not had an opportunity to pull and review all of his
submitted MAC appeals), it appears that he has misunderstood *****’s MAC law.
*****’s MAC appeal law only applies to claims that are paid using a MAC price.
Based upon *** *******' complaint, it
appears he has been submitting appeals for claims that were not paid at a MAC
price and has been receiving appropriate responses from Express Scripts that
clearly explain that the claim at issue is not subject to the MAC law because
it was not paid using a MAC price.
It is unclear what *** ******* means by
“reverse” insurance fraud. *** ******* has not alleged any facts or evidence to
support that Express Scripts is involved in any type of insurance fraud. The
cavalier attitude with which he makes these meritless accusations is
concerning. We vehemently defend the position that all of our services and
actions are compliant with applicable law and would not constitute insurance
fraud.
Assuming for the sake of argument, that
Express Scripts’ practices around MAC reimbursement were inappropriate – which
we do not concede – the proper forum for such review would be through the *****
********* ************ *** ********** ** *********. These agencies have the
authority over the subject matter of his complaint and the necessary expertise
to evaluate it. We are puzzled as to why
*** ******* raised these issues with the BBB rather than with the Insurance
Commissioner. We would recommend that he seek guidance from ***** ********** ** ********* if he continues to believe Express Scripts’ MAC appeal practices are
violating ***** insurance laws.
*** ******* alleges Express Scripts recently solicited *** ******** ******** for participation in the new ******* *******, the rates were non-negotiable and the contract solicitation required a response within 15 days of receipt.
******* is the **** ********** ** *********
healthcare program for uniformed service members and their families. The
offering sent to pharmacies, including *** ******** ********, represented
Express Scripts’ best and final rates, which aligned with the economics needed
to provide the necessary value and care for the ********** ** *******, its
beneficiaries and taxpayers. Thus, the rates were non-negotiable. Further, in
order to provide certainty regarding network participation for *******
beneficiaries, Express Scripts required responses within 15 calendar days. Mr.
Collins has failed to articulate in his complaint how this non-negotiable
agreement and the 15 day time period for response are unlawful or a deceptive
business practices, and indeed they are not.
Additionally, many other pharmacies have
accepted the exact same terms and rates as were offered to *** ********
******** evidencing that the rates are, in fact, reasonable. It appears that
*** ******* is attempting to leverage the BBB to air his grievances, rather
than simply declining the contract that was offered.
Express Scripts values all pharmacies that
participate in our networks and recognizes the important role that independent
pharmacies play in caring for patients in their communities. We are disappointed
that *** ******* has felt his interactions with Express Scripts have been
problematic; we truly aspire to be good partners for all pharmacies within our
network. We do feel, however, that *** ******** misunderstanding of applicable
law and overall regret with his own choice to sign Express Scripts’ contract
are the driving forces behind this complaint rather than there existing a true
dispute between the parties.
We hope that the information we have
provided has been helpful to your review. We would be happy to provide
additional information that you may need. Please let us know if you have any
other questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
***** ****
Business Project Senior Advisor
Express Scripts, Inc.
Email: **************************Customer Answer
Date: 08/15/2022
Better Business Bureau:
I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference tocomplaint ID 1*******, and find that although there is a lack of resolution this dispute will be better resolved with other agencies. Unfortunately, Express Scripts refuses to communicate directly with contracted healthcare providers and there response makes it clear they write contracts to base reimbursement on WAC instead of MAC to exploit a legal regulatory loophole. We thank the BBB for being able to get them to communicate with us on this issue in some capacity.
Sincerely,
******* *******
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