In Preferred Pharmacy Networks Dominate in 2021 Medicare Part D Plans, I highlighted how those networks will again rule next year’s Part D prescription drug plans (PDP).
Today, I examine the largest retail chains’ participation in the 27 major 2021 Part D preferred networks that the nine largest plan sponsors will offer.
As you will see, most major chains increased their position as a preferred pharmacy in many 2021 networks. Only Rite Aid lost position. As usual, we provide you with a handy table for scoring each chain’s participation and all changes from 2020 to 2021.
The chains’ expanded participation may turn out to be a trick, not a treat. COVID-19 has not fundamentally altered the negative industry trends haunting retail pharmacies. Narrow networks force pharmacies to trade volume for profits. Expect another scary drop in the number of U.S. pharmacies.
As the African proverb says: “When elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers.”
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