HoundsGood: Chronicles of a Virtual Volunteer

This post brought to you by Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

Did you know that your PET can be listed as your dependent at Walgreens? It's true. You won't get to claim them on your taxes, but they can be part of your family in the Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens. Read much farther down below for details.

According to a December 8, 2011 press release, the contract between Walgreens and Express Scripts has been terminated. What does that mean, exactly? According to a December 8, 2011 press release, it affects access to the chain by U.S. military and other entities using Express Scripts and its military administrator, Tricare. It reads:

More than a quarter of a million U.S. military personnel, family members, retirees and others in the Department of Defense Tricare pharmacy benefits program, and their supporters, so far have signed petitions demanding access to Walgreens (NYSE: WAG)(NASDAQ: WAG) pharmacies under the Tricare pharmacy program. The pace of petition signatures from Tricare members seeking to retain access to Walgreens and their supporters has reached more than 10,000 per week in recent weeks.

Why is the drop of network coverage critical? Walgreens represents, aside from mail-order prescriptions, one of the only in-network alternatives to receiving prescriptions for military families. Since the chain is nation-wide, it is highly convenient to military families who may frequently relocate or are fragmented and there is at least one pharmacy location open 24 hours in each geographic area.

The sticking points of the contract were two fold, as they appear to this reader:

• Express Scripts desired to classify medications as brand or generic, despite Walgreens classifications; thus, cost to consumers increases based on formerly generic meds classified as brand name. This seems to mean that the same consumer could purchase the medication at a less expensive rate than what the insurer was charging, just by choosing a generic and paying out of pocket, while still needing to pay the insurer premiums.

• Walgreen's agreed to not raise its rates to keep military families at Walgreen's. However, Express Scripts wished to steer families to their mail order program.

In reaction to this measure, there is a Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens that anyone can join, especially those whose insurance or prescription carrier has dropped Walgreens from their network. Right now, individuals can register for as little as $5.00 as an individual, or for $10 as a family. Family includes pets! Simply add your pet's name to your dependent list and all medication, so long as there is a human version, it qualifies.

Although some prefer to sign petitions or become activists for a cause, others let their feet do the walking and take their business away from plans that are no longer competitive.

For the latest developments, check Walgreens on Facebook or follow Walgreens on Twitter.

Is your family going to be affected by this? If so, how will you adjust or react?