Sticker shock at the pharmacy!

[bif]

I went to the dermatologist yesterday. They prescribed three ointments. The local pharmacy filled two of them. With copay they came to $65. Not terrible. But they wouldn't fill the third one because the insurance company needed to have it justified by the doctor. They called and denied it. The pharmacy was going to charge me $225! The doctor's office called around and found a pharmacy out in a rural area about 30 miles from here that sells it for $65. Still expensive but what a huge difference!

I guess that's what's great about living in one of the richest countries in the world--the highest prescription prices in the world!

[Haggard Celine]

1. Sounds like you have shitty insurance.

Your copays shouldn't be that high. That's outrageous!

[spooky3]

4. Maybe, but mine are typically $30 for 30 days or more unless there is a generic. Nt

[MurrayDelph]

7. Is there

any other kind?

[bif]

8. I'm on Medicare with an RX supplemental plan.

We have a high deductible because neither of us are on any meds. Except now this. Yikes!

[spooky3]

2. Derm meds are ridiculous. I have rosacea and one tube

Of ointment is $400! A skin cleanser is nearly that much but the doctor knew of a specialist pharm that sells it for $50 a month. The profits on these must be enormous.

[Vinca]

3. I've been wondering if there are drug shortages, too. I ordered a refill for a very common drug

for hypertension via the web site for a pharmacy about 4 days ago. Normally they fill it and hit you with the robocall within 24 hours. The status is "order received and pending" on their site. Anyone else encountered this kind of delay?

[nature-lover]

5. Check out GoodRx. Saved me more than $100 on one prescription.

Get a GoodRx card or coupon from their website and it should save you some money. Works with or without insurance. Works with Medicare too. The pharmacy will automatically use your insurance price (if you have insurance) unless you tell them to use the GoodRx one. It's free. A friend told me about it and it really works!

[moonscape]

6. Yeah, I always check prescription price there and

at rxsaver.com. They’re usually pretty close, but can vary a bit. I even print out coupons when the price is the same as co-pay via insurance because I want to stay out of the donut hole.

[bif]

9. Thanks. I'll definitely look into this.

[leftyladyfrommo]

10. I had cataract surgery. One teeny tiny bottle of eye

drops was $369. .i had a coupon for $65 from rhe doctor.
Humana would not cover it.

[Grins]

11. CVS charged me $347...

A common pill that has been around for more than 35 years! I almost shit!

Me: “Wait! Give me the generic.”
CVS: “That is the generic.”

I bought it and left. Pissed to the max.

Three days later I’m at Costco, see their pharmacy and, “What the heck,” asked if they carried it and their cost?

They did!

$28.

When I mentioned what CVS charged me I heard one of them mumble, “Bunch-a damn thieves.”

I now avoid CVS with a passion.

[beaglelover]

12. Did you try GoodRX to see if they offered a discount on the prescription?

I'm amazed at the discount I get through them on my medications!

[bif]

13. I will definitely look into this

[Ron Green]

14. It's a Shell Game.

The entire American healthcare industry is an obfuscating, furtive system of hidden pricing and shady discounts, with as many layers as possible between who is provided care and who pays.

Every twist and turn in this shit-show is an opportunity for a parasitic operator to extract value for himself and away from human health.