Optum is committed to finding an on-site pharmacy
GRF Director's Column
by Janet Isom
GRF director
The GRF Health Care Advisory Board met July 25 for an update from Optum on the Health Care Center.
Two members of Optum’s management team, consisting of Director of Group Operations Victoria Batistelli and Site Administrator Jayna Kling, along with three GRF board members, discussed what has been accomplished since the last Health Care Advisory Board meeting last fall.
The board members representing GRF were President Marsha Gerber, Treasurer Camille Thompson and myself, Mutual 16 representative Janet Isom.
The topics ranged from the status of the pharmacy and physical therapy program to free classes, new primary care physicians and specialists, onsite testing options and the fall Flu Clinic.
Optum is excited about renewing its five-year lease with GRF, which would begin Oct. 1, 2023, for another five-year term.
GRF Board members sought additional details regarding negotiations for a new pharmacy vendor, while also eliciting answers to some of the questions and concerns being raised.
There are a number of rumors flying around our community about the Health Care Center and pharmacy that need to be dispelled.
Now is the time for facts.
• Rumor: There will not be a pharmacy available again on-site.
False: Now for a little history to provide a clear picture of the issues impacting the pharmacy’s re-opening: Optum was given three weeks notice by the sub-lessee of 18 years, Good Neighbor, when the owners decided to close their physical location on-site and transfer the patient database of prescriptions to CVS. The pharmacy leased and operated by Good Neighbor then closed its doors on Feb. 23, 2023.
Unfortunately, Good Neighbor refused to end its lease with Optum early, so it runs through Sept. 30, 2023.
Optum immediately began negotiations with Optum Genoa in Torrance to provide prescription service to our community. Optum management recently learned that Optum Genoa was not a preferred vendor with SCAN.
That key fact meant that SCAN patients who chose to fill their prescriptions at the on-site pharmacy would be forced to pay higher co-pays for the medications if Optum Genoa subleased the space from Optum.
This was unacceptable to Optum’s management team, so it expanded the search for a new pharmacy provider upon that newsflash.
A pharmacy operated for 10-plus years by MedCare at the Optum Harbor Boulevard site in Santa Ana has expressed interest in partnering with Optum to re-open the pharmacy here.
MedCare has the experience and management team to make this a reality.
It is already established as a preferred vendor with SCAN and has created a delivery system at its current location that could be modified to suit our community’s needs.
Keep checking the LW Weekly, as there will be more news available once formal contracts are in place for the sublease from Optum, which will commence no earlier than Oct. 1, 2023.
In the meantime, Leisure World residents (who are not Kaiser or VA patients) have a variety of options to have prescriptions delivered to their door. Signatures are only required if a carrier delivers medication requiring refrigeration or other special handling requirements.
Optum Genoa, Torrance,
424-282-2035: Optum delivers prescriptions very promptly from its Torrance site. A human answers the phone during business hours.
MedCare Medical Pharmacy, Harbor Boulevard, Santa Ana, 714-557-2982.
• Optum RX Mail Order Service, 800-356-3477.
• CVS Seal Beach Boulevard, 562-596-4533
• Rumor: There is no physical therapy department anymore.
False: The physical therapy department continues to provide services to new and existing patients in the same location at the Health Care Center.
While Seniors Choice Physical Therapy is no longer at the HCC, the same employees are there.
Optum has added additional services as well, including its gait and balance program.
• Rumor: Optum does not have any Korean-speaking doctors or support staff.
False: There are currently two primary care physicians and one scheduling specialist who speak Korean.
They will be happy to help any potential or existing patient seeking assistance.
In future articles, detailed information will be shared regarding Optum’s primary care physicians, specialty care and providers, on-site testing options, new and existing free classes, medication management classes, chronic care management and more.
During Medicare Open Enrollment, make note that Optum accepts all commercial medical insurance plans, with the exception of Kaiser and VA, including TriCare.
Call the Health Care Center if you would like more information about Optum’s staff and services at 562-493-9581.
Janet Isom is on the GRF Board of Directors representing Mutual 16, a member of the GRF Health Care Advisory Board for two years and a Optum HCC patient for two-and-a-half years.
