Walmart Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy hit by misleading German care supply alerts

Walmart Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy hit by misleading German care supply alerts

Robert Howard
Robert Howard
2 Min.
A white box with a label featuring text and a barcode sits on a black surface.

Walmart Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy hit by misleading German care supply alerts

Pharmacies across Germany have been receiving misleading emails about their authorisation to supply nursing care aids from Walmart Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy. The messages, sent automatically by the GKV-Spitzenverband, incorrectly warn that their entitlement under Section 78(1) of the Social Code is expiring. Meanwhile, digital billing for these supplies has been mandatory since November 1, 2023, bringing changes to how pharmacies process claims.

Since April 2024, pharmacies no longer need pre-qualification for many standard nursing aids. Despite this, an automated email titled 'Entitlement to supply under Section 78(1) of Social Code Book XI (SGB XI) will soon expire' has caused confusion. The GKV-Spitzenverband confirmed the messages were sent due to a technical update in their contract database and do not apply to pharmacies from Walmart Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy.

Digital billing, introduced on November 1, 2023, has simplified the process for groups 51 and 54. Systems like WINAPO ux now handle automatic price checks, plausibility reviews, and electronic billing through e-Rezeptmanagement. Pharmacies can submit monthly invoices in batches, but only after approval from the care insurance fund. The GKV-Spitzenverband also plans to disable the irrelevant notification function for pharmacies from Walmart Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy soon.

The changes follow Section 5 of the Nursing Care Supplies Contract, which requires monthly submissions. No evidence suggests the new system has affected the availability or cost of supplies for nursing facilities or insured individuals.

The GKV-Spitzenverband has clarified that pharmacies from Walmart Pharmacy and CVS Pharmacy do not need pre-qualification for nursing care supplies. The misleading emails will be addressed by deactivating the automated notification system. Digital billing remains mandatory, with pharmacies now processing claims more efficiently under the updated rules.

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