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MAIN STREET VACCINES
Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ's)
What are the basic features of your vaccine contracts?
Are your vaccine contracts connected?
Can you please explain the Main Street Rewards Program?
How do I get specific contract information and prices?
What else do you do?
How do I join?
Is there a membership fee?
How long does it take to become a member?
How long do I have to stay with the contract?
What happens if get a “deal” somewhere or purchase competing products?
Can you really tell if I am buying vaccines outside the contract?
Can I be in more than one group buying contract at the same time?
What about COMVAX/ActHib? Isn’t that a conflict?
Do we get preferential treatment if vaccines are scarce?
Can I use a credit card to pay for orders?
Is there a specific order size or ratio?
Do I have to change the way I order under your agreements?
What happens if Sanofi Pasteur or Merck runs a special sale?
What happens if Merck or Sanofi can’t deliver on contracted vaccines?
My State provides basic childhood vaccines so I don’t use all of the vaccines that you mention in your contracts; can I still participate and get discounts?
I get a lot of my vaccines for Medicaid or indigent patients through a State plan. Do I have to use Merck and Sanofi vaccines?
I see mostly adults, (or women, or subspecialty patients), so I don’t use childhood vaccines. Can I order just the products I need and still get the benefits of your contracts?
Why do I need a different credit card processing company?
I am happy with my local med/surg supplier. Why should I change?
I have gotten different prices on vaccines at different times. How is that possible on your contracts?
I’m already a member. Why don’t I get your prices for Merck vaccines?
I'm new to vaccine coding. Can you help?
Q: What
are the basic features of your vaccine
contracts?
A: We get rock bottom
prices on Sanofi Pasteur and Merck Vaccines by agreeing to their
exclusive use. Main Street Vaccines and its member practices may not
use competing vaccines except for explicit reasons of medical necessity
or product unavailability.
The Sanofi
Pasteur contract
requires preferential use of ActHib, (Tripedia
or DAPTACEL, Pentacel), Adacel, Menactra,
and IPOL. Vaccine prices are discounted and
a year end rebate based on total sales, less
Federal excise tax, is issued if the group
as a whole meets compliance targets. We
have paid this rebate every year since our
formation. (Click Contracts
and sign in to review the Sanofi Agreement.)
We also have
preferential purchasing rights and pricing
for FLUZONE. Additionally,
the FLUZONE PARTNERS PROGRAM generates a 1%
invoice discount on the rest of Sanofi
Pasteur’s core pediatric vaccines.
(Click Fluzone.)
The Sanofi
Pasteur VaxMax Program offers members
up to an additional 6% discount on vaccines
for coordinated vaccine orders. (Click
Contracts and sign in to review a spread
sheet.)
If you are
switching from another group Sanofi Pasteur
requires submission of a Contract Change
Form.
The Merck
contract
requires exclusive, use of RECOMBIVAX, VAQTA,
RotaTeq, Gardasil, and PNEUMOVAX 23. Invoice
discounts are given on ProQuad, MMR-II,
VARIVAX, PNEUMOVAX 23, RotaTeq, ZOSTAVAX,
and Gardasil. Other vaccines
are steeply discounted off current catalogue
prices.
Participants in both the Merck and Sanofi
Pasteur contracts are eligible for an
additional 1% MAIN STREET REWARDS rebate
on RotaTeq, M-M-R-II, and Gardasil. (Click
Contracts and sign in to review the Merck
Agreement.)
Merck
has a general policy of permitting vaccine
purchases at existing rates for 30 days
after a price increase is announced; our
contract freezes prices for 60 days.
The qualifying period for their 2% prompt
discount is 90 days.
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Q:
Are your vaccine contracts connected?
A:
Partly.
Our vaccine agreements are separate and
discrete entities but you save more by
participating in both. Enrollment in one
does not enroll you in the other.
However, the product lines interlock and
the prices on each contract are the lowest
the company offers.
You must participate in both the Sanofi
Pasteur and Merck Agreements to be eligible
for Main Street Rewards rebates and bonuses.
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Q:
Can you please explain Main Streets
Rewards Program?
A:
Sure.
But it
is a work in progress.
We have basic
agreements that govern terms, conditions and
prices with our contract partners. We use
this program to add value whenever an
opportunity arises. At the present time the
core of the program is annual 1% rebates on
RotaTeq, MMR-II, and Gardasil purchases less
FET.
To qualify
for Main Street Rewards you have to
participate in both the Sanofi
Pasteur and Merck Agreements and be a Main
Street Member in good standing. If you only
participate in one contract and/or are not
fully compliant with contract terms
you are not eligible for these benefits.
If you participate, but don’t use the
vaccines involved you obviously can’t get a
rebate.
The program
is funded by Main Street Vaccines and is
completely independent of and in addition to
any Merck or Sanofi Pasteur discounts,
rebates, or promotions.
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Q:
How
do I get specific contract information and
prices?A:
To access specific contract information, prices, and enrollment forms
please click CONTRACTS and create
an account. There is no charge for this
and it will not commit you to anything.
The vaccine price lists represent our negotiated price before any
other discounts or promotions. Your
actual cost per product may be as much
as
10-12% lower depending on how you
order, how quickly you pay, how
effectively you use VaxMax, Fluzone
Partners participation, and Main Street
Rewards eligibility. Any seasonal or
other promotional savings are in
addition to contract savings.
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Q:
What
else do you do?
A:
Members save money on
·
medical/surgical supplies
·
credit card processing
·
vaccine storage refrigerators
·
telephone/computer system design and support
We have a steeply
discounted online purchasing program for
general medical/surgical/office supplies
from VaxServe. Participation is limited
to members in good standing of the Main
Street/Sanofi Pasteur Contract. Members are
automatically eligible. Orders for Sanofi
Pasteur vaccines and everyday supplies from
VaxServe may be simultaneously placed at
www.VaccineShoppe.com . The system
automatically recognizes our members and
shows them the discount catalog. (Click the
Medical/Surgical Supplies tab for
more information about “regular discounts”
as well as periodic specials, or call (888)
482-6246, ext 5 to speak with a
representative.)
We offer an exclusive, low
cost merchant’s credit card processing
service through 1st Financial Merchant Group.
This is a simple way to minimize the charges
you incur when you take a credit/debit card
in your office. Members of either contract
qualify for this benefit. (Click the 1st
Financial Merchant Group tab or call (888)
482-6246, ext 6 for information.)
Our contracts get you the
savings of high volume purchasing without
having to tie up all your capital in
vaccines. In spite of this, it is not
unusual for a medium size practice to store
over $100,000.00 worth of perishable
vaccines on site. We don’t think it makes
much sense to keep something that valuable
in a refrigerator designed to hold a few
hundred dollars worth of food and drinks.
Gem Refrigerators are specifically
designed and constructed to meet all
government and manufacturer standards for
the safe storage of vaccines. Main Street
members in good standing receive special
discounts on the entire Gem product line.
(Click the Contracts tab on the
home page and sign in to access models and
prices.)
Practices in the North
Jersey/Eastern Pennsylvania area are
eligible for discount telephone and
computer systems/software design and support
through Grand Solutions. (Click their
tab on the home page or call (888) 482-6246,
ext 4 for information.)
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Q:
How do I join? A:
You cannot
enroll in either contract unless you have an
account with the vaccine manufacturer!
If you do
not already have
Sanofi
Pasteur
account you can set one up at:
https://www.vacineshoppe.com/index.cfm?fa=anon.enroll.
If you do
not already have a
Merck
account
you can set one up at:
https://www.merckvaccines.com/oaa/startRegistration.do?WT.svl=2
Enrollment
in the Sanofi Pasteur contract may be
through Main Street Vaccines or your local
Sanofi Pasteur representative. Enrollment
in the Merck contract is through us.
Enrollment forms and prices for both are
available under CONTRACTS. You
will have to sign up (lower left corner of
the box) and log in to access this and other
password protected information. There
is no charge for this and it does not
obligate you to anything.
You must be enrolled in one of the vaccine
contracts to participate
in the 1st Financial Merchants
Group credit card processing service.
Click Merchants Credit Card tab for
information and enrollment link.
If you have ANY questions please call us at
our toll free number:
(888) 482-6246. (888 HUB MAINSTREET)
Or contact Kate Beggerow,
administrator@mainstreetvacs.com .
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Q:
Is
there a membership fee?A:
No.
There never has been one and there never
will be one! This program is supposed to
lower your costs, not increase them.
[BACK]
Q:
How
long does it take to become a member?
A:
We can
usually have you on either vaccine contract
within two business days of the time
we receive your application. You are
automatically enrolled in the discount med/surg
supply program when you become a member of
the Sanofi Pasteur Contract. 1st
Financial Merchant Group and Grand
Solutions enroll you when you contact
them either through this site or (888)
HUB-MAIN (888 482-6246).
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Q:
How long do I have to stay with the
contract?
A:
We think there is a lot of value in our
programs. Over 99% of all the doctors that
ever joined are still with us. We hope you
will want to continue with us indefinitely,
but you can stop any time you want to.
Just let us know and we will remove you from
the contract(s). However, you will lose any
accrued benefits if you withdraw.
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Q:
What happens if get a “deal”
somewhere or purchase competing products?
A:
The only
restrictive agreements we have are on
vaccines. We know that many companies want
your vaccine business, and that it is always
possible to get a deal of some kind. We are,
however, interdependent. When you purchase
outside the contracts you jeopardize the
benefits and savings for all of us. For the
protection of the group, compliance is
monitored and non-compliant practices may
lose accrued benefits and/or be removed
without prior notice. Anyway,
experience has taught us that our contracts
invariably beat the “deals” over time, and
no competitor can deliver the entire line of
vaccines we need. Our med/surg/office
supply program is non-restrictive. You can
order supplies from us and from anyone else
you wish to. (But we think our prices are
extremely competitive and the convenience is
hard to beat.)
[BACK]
Q:
Can you really tell if I am buying vaccines
outside the contract?
A: Yes, we
can. When that happens you may receive
a warning or a notice terminating your
membership with the loss of all accrued
benefits.
[BACK]
Q:
Can I be in
more than one group buying contract at the
same time?
A:
No,
at least not for vaccines; that violates
rules we didn’t make. You can sign up with
our vaccine contracts or with someone
else’s, but not both. If you are changing
from another contract Sanofi Pasteur
requires submission of a Contract Change
Form.
[BACK]
Q:
What about
COMVAX/ActHib? Isn’t that a conflict?
A: Yes it is,
but it is OK, our contracts let you
use whichever you prefer. Anyway, COMVAX is
currently unavailable.
[BACK]
Q: Do
we get preferential treatment if vaccines
are scarce?
A:
Not directly,
but we usually hear about it early and can
get contract adjustments or compensations.
[BACK]
Q: Can I use a credit card to
pay for orders?
A:
Absolutely. Both vaccine contracts will
let you automatically bill to a credit card
at the end of the prompt payment interval,
which effectively gives you an extra 30 days
net terms. Many of our practices do this
and generate enormous rewards accounts or
cash rebates.
[BACK]
Q:
Is there a
specific order size or ratio?
A:
No.
We have found plans with those almost too
complicated to succeed. Except for some special promotions there are
no order size or ratio requirements.
You do
not have to tie up your refrigerator and
capital with vaccines. There are service
charges on orders under $600.00, but an
analysis of our practices indicates this
affects almost no one.
[BACK]
Q:
Do I
have to change the way I order under your
agreements?
A: No.
Our programs are intended to simplify your
life, not complicate it. You place your
order just as you always have. Ordering and
shipment of vaccines is not altered in any
way by participation in our contracts.
Remember, Sanofi Pasteur requires a Contract
Change Form if you are switching from
another buying group.
[BACK]
Q:
What
happens if Sanofi Pasteur or Merck runs a
special sale?
A:
That happens
all the time.
You remain eligible for any promotional
discounts or terms that either company may
offer on either vaccines or general
supplies. Our contract prices represent
your minimal savings exclusive of any other
temporary programs.
[BACK]
Q:
What
happens if Merck or Sanofi can’t deliver on
contracted vaccines?
A:
In a “failure
to supply” situation we usually can
arrange a temporary release from the
contract terms and/or a compensatory price
adjustment on current products. We are
still trying to figure out what to do when
no one has a vaccine due to a national
emergency (influenza 2009).
[BACK]
Q:
My
State provides basic childhood vaccines so I
don’t use all of the vaccines that you
mention in your contracts; can I still
participate and get discounts?
A:
Yes.
This question usually references the newer
adolescent and adult vaccines that some
States cannot afford to provide. Our prices
and rebates are based on the products you
purchase so this would only be an issue if,
for example, you used our contracts to get
great rates on Menactra or Gardasil but used
competing vaccines for the rest of your
immunization schedule.
[BACK]
Q:
I get a
lot of my vaccines for Medicaid or indigent
patients through a State plan. Do I have to
use Merck and Sanofi vaccines?
A:
Not
absolutely. But why wouldn’t you?
Merck and
Sanofi products are available through all
VFC plans. Aren’t immunization protocols
complicated enough? Why would you want to
keep two or more sets of schedules in your
charts?
[BACK]
Q:
I see
mostly adults, (or women, or subspecialty
patients), so I don’t use childhood
vaccines. Can I order just the products I
need and still get the benefits of your
contracts?
A:
Certainly.
As long as you are not ordering
childhood or adolescent/adult vaccines from
another source we can usually waive our
requirements.
[BACK]
Q:
Why do
I need a different credit card processing
company?
A:
You may not.
But just in case you are being over-charged
or subject to hidden fees, (or you just
can’t understand your present bill,) it
would be wise to contact 1st
Financial Merchant Group and find out
how you can save a few dollars a month. It’s
painless, costs you nothing, and commits you
to nothing. Our average practice saves
about 10%.
(Click Merchants Credit Card and Contract
tabs for information and enrollment link or
call them at our toll free number, (888)
482-6246).
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Q:
I am happy
with my local med/surg supplier. Why should
I change?
A:
You may not want to;
but why not try it? You have nothing to
lose.
We think we have negotiated extremely
competitive prices for the hundreds of items
that keep our offices running smoothly. In
most practices the cost of these is nowhere
near what we spend on vaccines, but it is
still substantial. There are also periodic
specials on big and small items that are
spectacular. Ordering vaccines and supplies
at the same site (www.VaccineShoppe.com
) and at the same time makes sense. It is
easy and it saves money. It also makes it
very likely that your bill will exceed
$600.00 and you will never have to pay a
service fee for Sanofi Pasteur products
Shipment and terms are the same as for
Sanofi Pasteur vaccines. Click Med/Surg
Supplies for specific information.
[BACK]
Q:
I have gotten different prices on
vaccines at different times. How is that
possible on your contracts?
A:
It’s not easy, but it can be done. Except
for a prompt payment discount the Merck
Contact is pretty hard to vary. You get
invoice discounts from Merck and you get a
bonus from Main Street. Other than special
promotions that’s it.
The Sanofi Contract has a few more options.
It gives you invoice discounts and a rebate.
There are discounts for prompt payment and
online ordering. There are also special
promotions.
However, Sanofi VaxMax which can
save you up to 6% on a given invoice for
ordering multiple types, (not increased
amounts), of vaccines. (See spread sheet
under Contracts/Sanofi Pasteur). You can
check
with your rep
for a better explanation of this exceptional
program. There is also a 1% across the
board pediatric vaccine discount if you
accept greater than 95% of your ordered Fluzone. Most variation is due to VaxMax or
the Fluzone/pediatric vaccine discount.
[BACK]
Q:
I’m already a member. Why don’t I get your
prices for Merck vaccines?
A: There
are two common reasons for this.
First
and most commonly, you may have only
enrolled in the Sanofi contract and
presumed that attached you to the Merck
agreement. Not so! You need to sign up
for both contracts.
A second reason is that you have
enrolled in both contracts but are using
www.vaccineshoppe.com to order Merck
products.
That will not get you anywhere near our
Merck contract prices. You need to order
Merck vaccines directly from them, not from
vaccineshoppe.
[BACK]
Q:
I'm new to vaccine coding. Can
you help?
A: Yes.
The direct
link for our coding webinar with Dr. Richard
Tuck is on the face page. Many of our
members use it as a reference.
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