Have you ever failed to purchase a prescribed medication because of the cost?

CPT Jack Durish — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 11:50:58 -0500

Something new happened last week. Well, it was new for me. I had sticker shock when I went to pick up a prescribed medication at the pharmacist. Actually, it happened twice. It's the first time ever that my insurance refused to cover the cost. (Ah, the wonders of government meddling in healthcare) The first time wasn't too bad. It was only $60 and hell, I needed it. The second was more than $200 and I called the doctor to ask for a generic alternative. "That is the generic," I was told. Wow! The name brand alternative was much, much more.

No, I'm not going to launch into a political diatribe. I want to share a solution, one that worked for me.

I paid cash.

The doctor suggested that I check out GoodRX.com for a coupon. I did and found one that reduced the cost to $23.47. I wanted to share the good news about GoodRX but was hesitant until the medicine was in my hand proving that the coupon worked. It did.

Check it out for yourself.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Mar 10 at 2017 12:56 PM

SN Greg Wright — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 12:56:26 -0500

A couple of times. I'll check the site out, thanks.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2017 1:30 PM

SP5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 13:30:30 -0500

CPT Jack Durish Thanks for the lead on this company. Not just for humans, and the prescrip meds for the pups are about half what the vets charge. Thanks again.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Mar 10 at 2017 1:45 PM

MCPO Roger Collins — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 13:45:29 -0500

Yup! Lamisil, the pharmacy at Walmart said pre-authorization required. When I said I would pay for it, they said $600, I quickly changed my mind.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Mar 10 at 2017 3:03 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 15:03:09 -0500

Yes, and I had the money to spend on it. It was a matter of principal.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2017 5:26 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 17:26:27 -0500

CPT Jack Durish Yes, I have failed to purchase prescribed medicine because of the cost. Thank you for information about GoodRX.com.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Mar 10 at 2017 6:42 PM

SrA Matthew Knight — Fri, 10 Mar 2017 18:42:22 -0500

Not sure what it was called but last year I ran into some stomach issues. After all the tests they finally determined what medicine they wanted me to take to fix the problems, it was a 10 pill (one a day) supply. The base pharmacy didn't carry it but Tricare allows you to go through certain off base Pharmacies as well. The base sent the paperwork to Wal Mart's Pharmacy to fill. Wal Mart informed me that, "They would have to send off to Tricare to make sure it's covered but in the mean time I can pay for the cost myself, only $2,000 for the ten pills, and Tricare IF they cover it would reimburse me for the cost." Damn good thing I told them I'd wait for Tricare's approval because as it turns out Tricare doesn't cover that medicine (can't imagine why). Luckily there was a different medicine that was a two week deal that Tricare did cover, saved me several car payments and other bills worth of money.