Express Scripts ruled by miser politics
Pros
Multitude of pros working for Medco: generous raises, voluntary overtime, employee recognition, fair attendance policy, employee empowerment to make decisions and help patients. In the 11 years I worked for Medco, the overall work environment improved steadily. When Medco was bought out by Express Scripts in April 2012 a gradual eradication of all these positives disintegrated a work environment that even at the end of a bad day, you could rest assured the well-being of the patient came first.
Cons
The stockholder is the primary concern of Express Scripts, and the corporate behavior and values exemplified does not do much to hide that. All companies need to make money yes but, when the ultimate outcome of your business affects the overall health and well-being of your customer base to have a 100% fiscally-motivated decision process is morally questionable at best. Example: Express Scripts will not cover Omeprazole, even with prior authorization, even when presented with documentation from a Dr's office that it has already proven to be the most effective therapy for a patient, simply because they find the medication cost prohibitive. With prior authorization, they will cover a less-expensive medication, that does placate some of the symptoms associated with these particular medical condition(s) but, is only partially-effective therapy. Metrics are everything in the ESI culture, spending abnormal amounts of time extrapolating possible cost-effective measures. The emphasis on charts and percentages over customer care is disturbing. Bottom line is they don't value their employees: my last review ( a very positive one I might add) I was informed that I would not receive a raise, as I was already paid , "35% above my market value." Exact words. No consideration that maybe I was paid over the ' market value' because I consistently performed above market value. ESI is all-encompassed by miser politics. Legacy Medco management slowly dwindle, and those that stay become more and more Stepford Wive-like.
