Hampton City Schools to expand employee pharmacy access to part‑time staff starting Nov. 1

Hampton City Schools said on its HCS Talks podcast that the district will expand access to its employee pharmacy so full‑ and part‑time staff can obtain prescriptions at cost starting Nov. 1.

On the episode, Kristen Jennings, the Hampton City Schools employee pharmacy manager, said the change will allow “all full‑time and part‑time employees who go to the Hampton City Schools Health and Wellness Center and see a provider” to bring prescriptions to the employee pharmacy and have them filled at cost. Superintendent Raymond Haynes, who hosts HCS Talks, described the move as a response to long‑standing staff questions about part‑time access.

Jennings said employees enrolled in the district’s choice or signature medical plans will typically cut prescription co‑pays by roughly half at the employee pharmacy. She described the district co‑pay structure for a 30‑day supply as $2 for tier‑1 drugs, $15 for tier‑2 and $25 for tier‑3 prescriptions, and said those fills compare favorably with common retail co‑pays (examples cited: roughly $10/$30/$50 at retail pharmacies). Jennings also said the employee pharmacy waives the brand‑name prescription deductible, which she identified as $150, and offered an example in which a first‑time retail fill plus a deductible would cost about $180 versus $15 at the employee pharmacy.

Haynes and Jennings clarified that employees will not have to be enrolled in the district’s health plan to buy medications at the employee pharmacy once the policy takes effect; however, staff covered by a high‑deductible plan will still be required to pay until they meet their deductible.

Beyond prescription fills, Jennings said the pharmacy sells over‑the‑counter items at near‑cost and provided examples (cough drops, toothbrushes, low‑cost bottles of ibuprofen and acetaminophen). She also said the pharmacy offers vaccinations — flu, Tdap, shingles and COVID‑19 (COVID‑19 availability noted as new this year) — with flu offered as a walk‑in and other vaccines by appointment.

Jennings explained that the pharmacy is managed by a third‑party contractor (On‑site RX) and emphasized that the pharmacy staff are bound by HIPAA and will not share employee health information with the school division. "We are bound by HIPAA law to not disclose patient health information," she said on the podcast, stressing privacy protections.

Misha Hack, the district’s wellness coach, described the Health and Wellness Center that will link providers and the pharmacy. Hack said the center treats chronic conditions, handles acute visits, provides some lab services and offers no‑cost wellness coaching (one‑on‑one and group sessions) to full‑ and part‑time employees and covered family members age 6 and older. She said stress‑management and sleep issues are common reasons staff seek services and highlighted an upcoming Prevent T2 lifestyle‑change program developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for people at risk of type‑2 diabetes. The district also plans biometric screening for full‑time employees.

Jennings and Hack described regular clinical collaboration between the pharmacy and Wellness Center staff to optimize medication regimens, reduce interactions and lower overall costs. To encourage employees to try the service, Jennings said the pharmacy will give a special gift to any employee who makes a purchase in October.

The episode did not record a board action or formal vote; the change was presented as an administrative program expansion announced on the podcast. Employees with questions were encouraged to contact the Health and Wellness Center and pharmacy directly. HCS Talks is produced by Hampton City Schools and releases new episodes on Thursdays.