Pick Your Patients

We had a wonderful mother come into our pharmacy the other night. Her preferred pharmacy was too far and we are located just a mile or two from her homestead. She required a prescription that would need filled multiple times per month and the long commute to preferred location would be more expensive and frustrating to make for an entire year. She asked if we could help her. We did. We offered options for her. She "bothered" us with some OTC questions while we were finishing her prescriptions. She asked a couple more questions, thanked us profusely, and individually, as she left and that was how our night ended…

…and we got to wondering: Why can't we have all our patients be like her? We should be able to have a draft for patients every year.

If insurances can dictate which pharmacies patients may use, the pharmacies should be able to exercise the same right. We would send letters to patients in May/June announcing which pharmacy drafted them for the next calendar year/season which runs July 1st through June 30th.

CP's Pharmacy selected you to represent their team in this year's All County Phantasy Pharmacy season.
Walgreen's would like to welcome you to its 2015-2016 team. Congratulations!
CVS took Extra Care in choosing YOU for their 2015-2016 roster. Welcome aboard!
Rite Aid says you have the Rite Stuff to be part of their 2015-2016 Wellness+ Patient Panel!
WalMart wanted you for their 2015-2016 Wellness Plan! Here's your blue replica smock.
Target tapped you to be part of the 2015-2016 RedCards.

Each pharmacy would get to keep up to a certain percent of their current patients each season. As with all drafts, there are some risks involved. Those late-round picks can either score big for you or be a total bust, filling no prescriptions or being horrible patients. There would also be a period of free agency where patients could try out other pharmacies. Patients could ask for their release from their pharmacy while they also may be traded between pharmacies. This would help offset any losses due to moving or insurance changes. Patients would have to clear waivers if they were released locally whether due to insurance changes or relocation.

It would certainly help with "customer service" and inventory as you will always know who is coming in for what for the entire year. Imagine the inventory and budget control you'd have!