RENOVATED PHARMACY COMING SOON
Renovation started Jan. 15, with plans to expand grocery inventory
by Janet Isom
GRF Director
Optum has exciting news to share with the Leisure World community regarding its partnership with MedCare Medical Pharmacy, which will manage the on-site pharmacy here.
Following a complete overhaul of the space to accommodate a new open layout and an expanded grocery area, the grand re-opening will be scheduled upon completion of the renovation. Demolition began Jan. 1, and renovation began Jan. 15. The new pharmacy offerings will range from prescription medications to over-the-counter drugs, fresh and prepared food and drinks, as well as durable medical equipment. Greeting cards and candy are planned to be added to the selection of goods at a future date.
MedCare will have additional health services, such as immunizations and medication therapy as well, making this a one-stop-shop for medication needs. “We believe in building strong relationships with our patients, taking the time to listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and provide you with the information and support you need,” said MedCare owners Vickie and Bryan Arthur.
The GRF Health Care Advisory Board (HCCAB) met with Optum on Dec. 15 for an update on the Health Care Center and Pharmacy.
Optum’s management team—Director of Group Operations Victoria Batistelli and Site Administrator Jayna Kling—joined three GRF board members to discuss what has been accomplished since the last meeting on Oct. 23.
The board members representing GRF were President Marsha Gerber, Treasurer Camille Thompson and Mutual 16 representative Janet Isom.
For those who want to learn more about MedCare Medical Pharmacy, the Sunshine Club will host Terry Troung of MedCare on Friday, Jan. 26, in Clubhouse 3, Room 2 , at 10 a.m.
Pharmacist Vickie Tsay is looking forward to building relationships with LW residents, meeting their needs and making their experience with MedCare easy and enjoyable.
LW residents will have an opportunity to meet her and the new pharmacy technicians at the grand re-opening, so watch for more details in an upcoming edition of the LW Weekly.
MedCare will be relocating its existing pharmacy operation of 10-plus years from the Optum Harbor Boulevard site in Santa Ana.
Thus, MedCare has the management team and experience to make LW’s on-site pharmacy a reality again. A delivery system created by its staff is also being modified to suit the community’s particular needs.
In the meantime, Leisure World residents (who are not Kaiser or VA patients) still have the option to have prescriptions delivered to their door. MedCare offers next-day and, in some situations, same-day delivery to Leisure World.
It is also a SCAN preferred pharmacy, meaning SCAN patients will pay less for most medications than they would at other pharmacies.
To transfer prescriptions to MedCare Medical Pharmacy now, call 714-557-2982 or TTY 711. Be prepared to provide insurance information or the information of the patient’s previous pharmacy.
Optum representatives will give a short presentation on the pharmacy at the Jan. 23 GRF Board meeting, which starts at 10 a.m. in Clubhouse 4. All are welcome to attend.
Janet Isom is on the GRF Board of Directors representing Mutual 16. She has served as a member of the GRF Health Care Advisory Board for two-and-ahalf years and has been an Optum HCC patient for over three years.