For anyone who is dependent on daily prescription medications, it really does pay to do your research. Each time Chris is given a new prescription or our insurance changes, I take on the task of calling and price checking at each pharmacy in our area.
The last time our insurance changed and we suddenly had to start paying full price, out of pocket for prescriptions, the medicine that Chris takes for Parkinson's (Requip) would have cost us over $200 a month if we would have stayed with CVS. After calling around and signing a form to join the Costco Discount Pharmacy Club (no cost, we were already members too) we were able to get Requip there for just **$12.00 a month.**
Chris recently sampled a new prescription, Amantadine, and we are really happy with the way he has reacted to it, but then we cringed because when price checked at Costco, it would have been $149 a month!! Ugh!! So I again, did my price checking.
I discovered this website, goodrx.com/ and plugged in the prescription name, dosage and quantity. It generated a list of my local pharmacies, complete with their drug pricing, phone number, hours and a printable coupon for the prescription. I didn't consider the coupon at first but was happy to find the pharmacy info was all accurate. I did still call each pharmacy and was told the out of pocket cost, per month, so I could figure out who had the lowest price. Prices ranged from $109 a month @ CVS to $193 a month @ BiLo. (Remember Costco's price had been $149 a month)
So I figured what the hell, let me check out this coupon and hit print. It was a very generic looking coupon, but the instructions on it were well written and it looked authentic. The coupon stated our discounted price would be $42.86 for a month. So away to CVS I went, coupon in hand.
I asked the pharmacist if we were to transfer Chris' Amantadine prescription to CVS, would they honor that coupon. The very nice pharmacy lady put it all into the computer and said, "Yes, that coupon will work, it'll be $42.86 per month. And I'll call to transfer your prescription for you....when would you like to pick it up?".
Yayyyyy!! So we saved over $100 off what the price would have been at Costco and then thanks to my snazzy home printed coupon, saved an additional $66 off of CVS's original quoted price. There is no date printed on the coupon and you don't need to sign up for anything to print a coupon.
Please share this information with anyone you know that is struggling (or shocked) with prescription costs.
From a loving Parkinson's caregiver,
Becca
Written by
Beccums
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
it is indeed. I am fortunate to have medical insurance that takes up the slack. I pay $10 a scrip for generic and $20 for non-generic. It still adds up.
I'm curious on the difference in the UK system and the US copay system with prescriptions. My copay for my meds is $60 per month. Without insurance it's over $1,000 a month. I understand there is no cost for the meds in the UK. How do the meds get paid? Are meds readily available? Is there a monthly premium or some type of health tax that pays for health care? My curiosity is not intended to debate which system is better . I would like a better understanding of the UK health system.
I am curios and interested in a better understanding of the UK health system too. I would appreciate sharing what you find out. I applied for ss disability and am waiting on that but in the meantime the cost of prescriptions is killing me Thank you.
True enough! It does add up quickly especially when you got into the GAP. We hardly make it when I go in the gap. Parkinson's cost me my employment and now I am without
employment due to Parkinson's therefore, we live on Social Security. I am glad for that
be it ever so small. RX's vary here where I live like anyplace else I suppose. I just got
a high dollar RX...over $30. Didn't buy it but went to any drug store and it was hundred
less. Went to CVS, Walgreens, Costco...One drug at Costco was over $100. at the
drug store it was $8 and the othed drug store was $10. I never know unless I call them.
The Neurologist put me on two new meds. I have taken two so far.
every time it's time to fill a prescription I stress "where's the money going to come from?" thanks for heading me in the direction of goodrx.com/. through comparing prices I came to rxsolution.com. they deal directly with the manufacture and helped me get a program that I can deal with. I'll let you know how well it goes .
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
