Lawmakers' letter to Elkwood boss, state agency condemns $150 fee for local pharmacy service

Details

Published on Monday, 30 January 2012 16:30

Dale Denwalt
Daily Elk Citian

A trio of lawmakers have launched a second salvo in their fight against an Elk City assisted living center's pharmaceutical plan.

State Sen. Tom Ivester and state Reps. Purcy Walker and Harold Wright sent letters to both the Oklahoma State Department of Health and Meridian Senior Living, the parent company of Elkwood Assisted Living.

'UNETHICAL'

Meridian's plan to consolidate its residents' medicine providers into one out-of-town provider rankled the legislators, especially the provision of the new rule that would levy a fee of $150 if the resident wanted to use their own pharmacist instead.

"Your company's proposal is unfair and unethical. Meridian needs to remove the $150 fee," the legislators wrote to Robert Sweet, Meridian's executive vice president.

Two of those legislators, Ivester and Walker, were present at an Elkwood meeting earlier this month. During the meeting's question and answer phase, Ivester forcefully challenged Elkwood's management, criticizing the plan and saying he would push for a Health Department investigation of the plan.

STATE LETTER

In the letter to Dr. Terry Cline, Health Department commissioner, the three legislators cite the nearly two-hour Jan. 17 meeting as a reason for their concern. Many of the questions by residents, their family and members of the public were taken by Meridian Regional Director of Operations Donna Crabtree

"Ms. Crabtree was unprofessional and rude to the family members who attended," states the letter, which was dated Jan. 20. "She would not answer questions and spoke in a condescendingtone when addressing individuals."

Ivester has clarified the statement, saying Monday that Crabtree did not answer questions "adequately."

"There's answering questions and then there's just talking," said Ivester, an Elk City Democrat. "Of course, that's just my opinion."

INVESTIGATION

The letter asks the Department of Health whether it is involved in an investigation into Meridian.

"Dr. Cline, we have grave concerns with this company doing business in Oklahoma. If your agency is involved in an investigation into medications being incorrectly administered at these facilities we would like a copy of the report," the letter asks. "Also […], is there anything that protects the residents' rights to choose their own pharmacy?"

While the letter asks if there are any ongoing investigations, aside from asking questions it does not specifically call for an investigation. During the Jan. 17 meeting, Ivester plainly said he intended to push a Health Department investigation.

"I am going to do everything within my power to have the state investigate not only whether you can legally do this, but what the causes are for the mess-ups in medication. The Health Department is very good at investigating this, especially when prompted by state authorities," he said at the time.

Ivester said he has not received any new information in response to the letters. Crabtree could not be reached in time to comment on this story, and telephone contact information for Sweet and Meridian Senior Living could not be found.

THE PLAN

Meridian Senior Living has pushed to partner with Sequoia to provide pharmacy services several of its facilities. In Elk City, the plan would mean Sequoia would provide pharmacist consulting services to the facility, which includes a quarterly review of residents' medications.

Residents who choose the Sequoia plan would get all of their regular medication from Sequoia in a blister-pack. The medication would be transported as needed from Sequoia's warehouse in Oklahoma City. The process is simpler and more streamlined, Crabtree said in the Jan. 17 meeting.

Some residents are opposed to the plan because they believe it could essentially force them away from their preferred pharmacist. If they decided to use a pharmacy other than Sequoia, residents would be charged $150 per month.

Meridian management has said the fee is to cover the cost of Elkwood's technicians handling the additional responsibilities of coordinating with a local pharmacy, rather than just with Sequoia. Crabtree told the residents and families that the increase in revenue might go toward hiring more staff.

In the letter to Meridian, Ivester, Walker and Wright have a different idea.

"Basically the fee is a penalty for not using Sequoia, the pharmacy your company has contracted," they wrote.

REPRESENTATION

Walker is an Elk City Democrat who is term-limited and cannot run again. His district covers Elk City and other towns including those in Beckham, Ellis, Greer, Harmon and Roger Mills Counties.

Wright, R-Weatherford, represents Custer County and parts of Blaine and Canadian. After the next election, his district will shift, covering part of Elk City. His district currently encompasses both Weatherford and Clinton, communities with Meridian facilities. Weatherwood in Weatherford and Angelwood in Clinton have both started the process to use Sequoia Health Services as Meridian's preferred pharmacy provider.