Prescription Drug Discounts

[ua_guy]

Recently I experienced a small gap in health insurance coverage while DH transitioned employers. For just a few days it wasn't worth signing up for COBRA or going through the process to apply for benefits with my employer. But, I did need to refill a medication right in the middle of that window, poor planning on my part, but, it happens..

The price out of pocket through my local retail pharmacy (RiteAid) with no insurance was going to be $167 for a 30-day supply of a generic medication.

I went on GoodRx.com and entered the medication, dose, quantity, and selected my local pharmacy. It provided discount information to reduce the $167.00 to $8.91.

The pharmacy had no problem entering the coupon, and I walked out with my prescription for less than $9. Yes please and thank you.

Even if you have insurance, you may want to check to see if GoodRx can save you money if your prescription benefits aren't that great.

[bjl584]

Similar thing happened to me at Walmart
Simply paying for my scrip outright was cheaper with Walmart than using my insurance.
It wasn't much to begin with, but the price dropped from $12 to $4

[LivingAlmostLarge]

It strangely happens a lot. I shop around a lot for my dogs medications.

[disneysteve]

Similar thing happened to me at Walmart
Simply paying for my scrip outright was cheaper with Walmart than using my insurance.
It wasn't much to begin with, but the price dropped from $12 to $4

This one always angers me. It shouldn't be cheaper to bypass your insurance. If the cash price is less than the insurance price, they should just charge you the cash price. You shouldn't have to find that out on your own.

[bjl584]

This one always angers me. It shouldn't be cheaper to bypass your insurance. If the cash price is less than the insurance price, they should just charge you the cash price. You shouldn't have to find that out on your own.

I would have never known.
Thankfully the pharmacy tech told me once he ran my insurance.

[ua_guy]

It works for dogs, too. Our vet prescribed our dog some hydrocodone. Of course, it's regulated just the same for humans. I had to pick up a physical script, and take it to a retail pharmacy to fill it because the vet is under regulation by law that they can't dispense more than 5 tabs. Ooook. I took it to the pharmacy I use. I told them it was for my dog, and they looked at me like a junkie. Sure, buddy....for your dog. (No, really).

The pharmacist told me it would be about $65. Oh! Well, he doesn't have insurance, but he likes to use GoodRx discounts for his pill habit, are you able to re-bill it? Sure enough, $24 out the door.

[GordFelcon]

Thank god I have health insurance that is 50% covered by the company I work at. it saves me lots of money when I buy particular medicines as well as those for my cat (as in your situation ua_guy). My cat just needs the one people use for themselves, I'm talking about A&D Ointment and Anbesol, I used to buy them a few times when his teeth were pulled out. But that's just my HI, that I purchased with the consultation of a company (link), I know nothing about other HI.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

What? Really? Your health insurance from work covers your cat?! Is there really such an arrangement?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

What? Really? Your health insurance from work covers your cat?! Is there really such an arrangement?

I don't think so but using goodrx helps a lot for dog medications.

[ua_guy]

What? Really? Your health insurance from work covers your cat?! Is there really such an arrangement?

I've actually seen this. Usually a trendy startup company. They offer subsidized or discounted pet health insurance through work. I mean, great perk, even routine healthcare expenses for pets are no joke.

[Jjjbow]

Hi. The supply of drugs for free or discounted prescriptions and the usual supply of drugs are reflected differently in the accounting and tax accounting of the pharmacy. The fact is that part of the sales costs for the sale of discount drugs is reimbursed by the territorial body of compulsory health insurance. Such savings can't help but be gratifying. Almost everything I buy is discounted; I am always looking for bargains.

[propita]

As I posted in another thread, also look for manufacturer's coupons for BRAND drugs.

[anhtuvp]

I’ve had a similar experience where GoodRx saved me a ton of money on prescriptions when my insurance wasn’t covering things well. Last time, my copay was going to be pretty high, so I checked GoodRx on a whim, and it knocked the price way down. I was surprised how easily the pharmacy accepted the coupon without any hassle. Definitely worth looking into, even if you do have insurance, especially if your plan doesn’t offer the best prescription coverage.