Can pharmacies charge additional fee for dispensing prescriptions?

[Guest msullivan]

Does anyone know if a health plans' network pharmacy can add a fee onto filling a prescription - and that fee is not reimbursed by the insurance company? For example, the pharmacy charges $2.50 for each prescription it fills. The pharmacy is also trying to collect back fees and charging the individual 1 1/2% interest??

[Guest Paul]

I can not think of any statute that would preclude the pharmacy charging a fee. However, from a practical standpoint, I would think market forces would preclude this from happening. In other words, it seems to me most pharmacies are looking for customers and this would drive them away.

[Guest KGibson]

With most prescription programs there is a dispensing fee associated with each prescription. However, I have not seen it passed on to the individual, but part of the total billed to the prescription coverage group. For example, an employee may fill a prescription which costs $50.00. The employee would pay the copay, say $20, and the other $30.00 billed to the prescription service (or group plan if self funded) plus a dispensing fee of about $2.50 - $4.00. I would contact the pharmacy where this occured. They may be able to tell you if it is pharmacy policy, plan design, or what the case may be.