You have insurance and, supposedly, it covers your medicines. However, you still get stuck with a portion of the bill that the insurance company calls a "copay." In some cases these copays can run more than $150/ month per medication (e.g. Enbrel). If you are on more than one of these expensive, branded medications the copays can really add up. What are your options?
Where an adult can get low cost vaccines
At LesliesList.org we get many emails asking where an adult can get low cost vaccines.It appears the answer is... nowhere. They don't exist-- unless you are an established patient in one of the county-funded or low-cost clinics in your metropolitan area. However, you can save a little money by comparison shopping. I think your best bet is to try one of ...
Tips to help patients save money on prescriptions
As a primary care doc, I have compiled several tips to help patients save money on prescriptions.All the prices quoted in the following examples are from Costco.1. Patient assistance programs (PAP). Try to get free meds from the pharmaceutical company that manufactures your medication. Most of the time this service is only offered if there is not a generic available for your medicine. I heartily recommend you check out NeedyMeds.org and ...
Tricks for helping patients save money on prescriptions
As a primary care doctor, I have figured out many tricks for helping patients save money on prescriptions. Some of them I am sure you have never heard of, and others , well -- you might have, but they bear repeating.All of the prices quoted here are from Costco, unless otherwise specified.1. Price compare between pharmacies. Can't stress enough the potential differences in medicine prices between pharmacies. Generic medicine prices vary more than ...
Arimidex price markup at major pharmacy chains
The commonly prescribed breast cancer drug, Arimidex, was released as a generic in June 2010. The generic name is anastrozole. I called several local pharmacies last week to find out how much this medicine would cost for a one-month supply. I found some very surprising results:Costco: $27Walgreens (with Saver Card): $325 (without Card): $380CVS: $361Walmart: $347Target: $340These are not typos. Costco is selling a one-month supply of generic Arimidex for $27, ...
Contraceptive pill prices have a huge price range
Do you know that the price of a contraceptive pill in Chicago pharmacies varies from $9 (Trinessa, aka generic Tricyclen, at Target pharmacy) to $84 (Loestrin 24 at Kmart pharmacy) a month? That means, over the course of the year, depending on what pill you take and where you shop, you could drop as little as $84 or -- let me get my calculator here -- $1008! These prices are if you pay out ...
Healthcare costs need to be discussed with patients in the exam room
Why don't patients and their doctors talk about healthcare costs?Choose the best answer:A. The doctor doesn't bring it up. B. Patients are too embarassed to say cost is a concern. C. Patients assume docs can't do anything to address the cost. D. Doctors don't have sufficient knowledge to discuss costs. E. All of the aboveCorrect answer: EDoctors don't bring up the cost of prescriptions or testing with their patients.In a study from the Archives ...
Combo pills do not save patients money
Many prescription medicines are actually two or more medicines combined into one pill or package. True, this packaging is convenient-- but you can often save money by buying your medicine as its separate components. Let's look at some examples:Lotrel blood pressure pills. This is actually a combination of two blood pressure medicines: amlodipine and benazapril. Lotrel, the combo pill, is available in a generic form, as are it's two individual ...
Ask your pharmacy to price match prescription drugs
As we have established repeatedly on LesliesList.org, prescription prices can vary a lot from one pharmacy to another.But did you know that some pharmacies will actually match a competitor's price? This could save you a ton of cash, but you have to know how, and whom, to ask for this service. Pharmacy retail chains all have different policies. I spoke to a pharmacist recently at each of the seven top ...
Allergy drug recommendations for patients on a budget
Ahhh spring.The lovely blooms unfurling. The trees budding.It's enough to make a girl get tears in her eyes.And sneezes in her nose.And itching on her face.Yes, it's allergy season again -- but what can you do to make yourself more comfortable without emptying your wallet?1. Avoidance. Close the windows. Make someone else cut the grass. Stay inside. (Yes, I hate this one too- let's move on.)2. Neti pot or other nasal saline rinsing. LOVE ...
