There’s a app for that….

[southernlady]

In the case of the cost of prescriptions, esp tier 2 and above, there truly is one. GoldRX.

Okay, my Prevacid costs an average of $15-18 for a set of three bottles of 14 each. Designed to last three weeks. I’ve been buying them in bulk, 3-4 3 packs at Costco or Sam’s.

So after my endoscopy this week when I was told no NSAIDs for a month. Told to take 30 mgs of Prevacid (exactly what I was taking but 2/15 not 1/30). So he gave me a prescription, sent it to CVS and asked the price, almost $300 for 90 days. So I looked it up on GoodRX and can get that same prescription for $6…6 damned dollars. Of course I filled it at that price. I’d be stupid not too. $1200 a year versus $24 a year. I’m not that married to my drug plan.

 

[talitali]

The only reason I use prescription omeprazole is because it's cheaper with my insurance than buying OTC. Good news on the GoodRx, I've heard good things about it.

 

[southernlady]

The only reason I use prescription omeprazole is because it's cheaper with my insurance than buying OTC. Good news on the GoodRx, I've heard good things about it.

I wonder how much less it might be over your copay.

If I may ask, how much was your copay?

 

[talitali]

I wonder how much less it might be over your copay.

If I may ask, how much was your copay?

I pay $1.50 for 30 days, I doubt it’s less than that.
That said, I also use Amazon Pharmacy which has some good prices.

 

[southernlady]

I pay $1.50 for 30 days, I doubt it’s less than that.
That said, I also use Amazon Pharmacy which has some good prices.

That’s not bad but keep the knowledge in your back pocket if you ever end up with a lousy drug plan.

 

[JackieOnLine]

$1200 a year versus $24 a year. I’m not that married to my drug plan.

I think it is CRIMINAL that it's so damned complicated. people should not have to work so hard just to get the best price on a medication.

but I'm glad you found such a deal.

I see ads for GoodRx all the time when I watch Pluto TV and wonder, how do they make money? I don't get it.

 

[southernlady]

I think it is CRIMINAL that it's so damned complicated. people should not have to work so hard just to get the best price on a medication.

but I'm glad you found such a deal.

I see ads for GoodRx all the time when I watch Pluto TV and wonder, how do they make money? I don't get it.

I don't understand it either but as long as it works.

 

[southernlady]

Apparently Amazon has a similar program and then there’s another one called SingleCare.

 

[Georgepds]

Another tip... when you use goodrx several pharmacies show up. It is simplicity itself to choose the lowest cost one, and ask that pharmacy to transfer your prescription to them

Even with goodrx there is a range of prices from 3x to 10x highest to lowest price

These days I have the cheapest Medicare drug plan possible ($7 per month in my state) and never use it.. just goodrx. FWIIW, if you don't keep a Medicare drug plan, you get charged a lifetime penalty if you sign up later


And it is a crying shame you have to learn all this to stay healthy and financially sound.

 

[Georgepds]

I don't understand it either but as long as it works.

"GoodRx makes money via the fees it collects whenever a customer uses that code to fill a prescription."

The pharmacies just want you to walk in the door , and hopefully stick with them. In my area the supermarket pharmacy, stop and shop, is lowest-priced. They hope you buy some groceries while you are there.

 

[southernlady]

These days I have the cheapest Medicare drug plan possible ($7 per month in my state) and never use it.. just goodrx. FWIIW, if you don't keep a Medicare drug plan, you get charged a lifetime penalty if you sign up later

We have one of those super cheap plans ($7.30) but one of mine and two of hubby’s are $0 copay, so we use it for that.
Now, thanks to the fact I have gastritis, my PCP and I are trying to find a drug that works for my arthritis. Apparently I have it from head to toes. Okay, maybe not my toes but they did see it in my feet.

I’ve used Tramadol, it’s a tier 3 so $$$, anyway she tried sending it to the Kroger closest to me but that crosses state lines. So we called it in to the CVS. I get some idiotic call they can’t fill it til July 5 (almost a month later) due to state and/or CVS regulation.
I’ve been on Flexeril for two weeks after trying to rip my hip from my body. She’s extended that one til we can get the damned Topamax. I’m hoping when I have my follow up endoscopy, they’ll let me back on an NSAID, and switch to Celebrex. Maybe that one can cross state lines and filled same day.

 

[southernlady]

In my area the supermarket pharmacy, stop and shop, is lowest-priced. They hope you buy some groceries while you are there.

Which is exactly what we did yesterday.

 

[Georgepds]

Re. " I’ve used Tramadol, it’s a tier 3 so $$$, anyway she tried sending it to the Kroger closest to me but that crosses state lines. "

FWIIW ...I've transferred prescriptions across state line using the "ask the pharmacy " method.... this may depend on the states and the meds

 

[Georgepds]

Re " thanks to the fact I have gastritis, my PCP and I are trying to find a drug that works for my arthritis. Apparently I have it from head to toes. Okay, maybe not my toes but they did see it in my feet."

Huh ?

I thought gastritis was an inflammation of the stomach lining....

Opps... just realized I read that wrong... arthritis in the feet..

 

[southernlady]

You’re right, gastritis is in the stomach lining. But mist meds are taken orally and start dissolving in the stomach.
You gave me a giggle.