[ladydoc]

Originally Posted by jaringg

I just had occasion to have a prescription filled at Walgreen's. Boy what a shock.
It was for an antibiotic $45.00 with my United health care insurance.
got home , went to their site and found out that it was $6.00 at Target. It's their preferred drug store. Guess where my drug needs are going.

anitbiotics are free at sweetbay with the $7 a year pharmacy plan. I just got them last week.

[Quixote]

Originally Posted by champion6

There are many examples like this ... "it's a jungle out there." Using a preferred pharmacy tied to your Part D prescription drug plan or your Medicare Advantage plan makes BIG difference.

For sure! Contact your insurance company to find out who their "preferred pharmacies" are in this area. But check also how their mail order program works.

Originally Posted by jaringg

The prescription was all ready generic.!

I have a Humana plan that contracts with RightSource, and if I have my ongoing generic meds filled at RightSource (mail order), they are FREE. If you need a prescription immediately (like an antibiotic), first check with Publix if it's one of the ones they offer free (Publix has made some changes recently), and if not, then use a preferred pharmacy.

Originally Posted by champion6

If you are using a Part D prescription drug plan ...

During the open enrollment period, EVERY YEAR you should go the Medicare.gov, click on the Drug Coverage tab, select Find Health & Drug Plans and follow the instructions.

You will be able to estimate your out-of-pocket cost for your current drugs for the entire year. You will be able to select various pharmacies and compare your out-of pocket costs. This way, you will be able to select the plan and pharmacy combination which has the lowest annual cost for you.

You can do this right now, if you want.

You should this every year because Part D premiums change, preferred pharmacies change, formularies change, prices change.

Emphasis on the last sentence above is mine. Be aware that the way the Part D plan was created around a decade ago, it was done more in support of the insurance and pharmaceutical industries and less in support of senior consumers. Hence, not only is there a coverage gap known as the "donut hole," but also we get only one chance—during the open enrollment period (between mid October and early December)—to change plans, while the plans are allowed to change ANYTHING—like their formularies, prices, preferred pharmacies, and so forth—ANYTIME during the year. The ONLY thing they cannot change is the amount of their Part D premium for that year....

For those who aren't aware of this, in general Costco has the lowest prices for prescriptions. I once had to be on a heavy-duty, long term antibiotic; I called some local pharmacies, and the lowest price I came up with was about $525. One of these pharmacists quietly told me to contact Costco, where I had it filled for just a little over $100! One does NOT have to be a member to use their pharmacy. However, there is no local Costco (unfortunately...), but many people do not know that Costco has a mail order pharmacy. Check out: Costco Pharmacy Home Delivery.

Good luck! As Champion6 says, "It's a jungle out there." And as I say, this Part D plan was not designed with us in mind....

[rubicon]

The competition among Pharmacies has been intense for about 20 years because several script companies had been competing for insurance business. It was predicted that the Affordable Care Act would change the face of the medical Pharma and insurance industries and it has. Employers will will drop their employer sponsored plans, etc. so not only are the uninsured/individuals forced to exchanges we all will be and its going to ge ugly.

My employer sponsored retirement plan will disappear and they will provide an allowance meaning that its gong to cost me a whole lot more Ugh

[jaringg]

Originally Posted by borjo

A good idea is to take your formulary to the doctor's office. Look up what he wants to order and ask him to change it if it's too much. My doctor's been very compliant doing that.

It's also a great idea to shop before you commit ta a particular drug chain. I just noticed that Walgreens have removed their online price list. Hmm wonder why ??
Started checking around for prices and found that I could have gotten a much better deal at Sweetbay. FREE cant beat that. SO LONG WALGREENS.

[leftyf]

I only get my prescriptions filled at Sam's Club. Most of the time the price is less than my copay. Of course, antibiotics are free at Publix, so I get them there. You do not have to be a member to use the pharmacy, liquor store or restaurant.