I am without prescription medication coverage while I wait to hear back from my employer's insurance provider and I need to get a 30-day supply of my four daily medications. If you are or have ever been without insurance, you know how expensive (and sometimes scary) my situation can be.
I did some sleuthing today to compare costs between different retailers and I want to pass on my results because I know I am not alone amongst my peers in being in this situation. Your results will, of course, vary depending on medications.
While Costco was the cheapest for initial costs by between $100 & $200 dollars a medication, I ended going with Target. They have a program for uninsured customers dropping their total by over $100. The discount brought them within $3 of Costco, so I filled there and saved myself a trip to the 'burbs. All Target needed for the program was my phone #.
Walgreens has a $20 yearly membership that reduced their initial cost (the highest) by $200. I might end up using this method once I am insured. Another option is Costco's mail order... Some mail-order-prescription retailers will sell a 90-day supply of medication for the cost of a 60-day supply.
Costco, sadly, was the second highest cost. I think this is unfortunate considering I often see their pharmacies in the poorest neighborhoods.
The manufacturers of many popular medications have one-use trial offers to get a free 30-day supply, often by providing basic contact info and printing a coupon. One medication I formerly used had a free starter pack which was a big bonus because you needed to increase the dosage three times over the course of 30 days and three 10-day prescriptions almost invariably will cost more than one 30-day supply. I was able to print a voucher for a free 30-day supply of my most expensive medication, so I will save over $300 dollars off this month's expenses. HUGE.
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance couldn't help me, but could be of great use to others. They do have a page of discount drug cards/programs. I am printing some off to see if they can also help, at least during this no-insurance period.
What experiences have you had? Any lessons you can pass on?
I did some sleuthing today to compare costs between different retailers and I want to pass on my results because I know I am not alone amongst my peers in being in this situation. Your results will, of course, vary depending on medications.
While Costco was the cheapest for initial costs by between $100 & $200 dollars a medication, I ended going with Target. They have a program for uninsured customers dropping their total by over $100. The discount brought them within $3 of Costco, so I filled there and saved myself a trip to the 'burbs. All Target needed for the program was my phone #.
Walgreens has a $20 yearly membership that reduced their initial cost (the highest) by $200. I might end up using this method once I am insured. Another option is Costco's mail order... Some mail-order-prescription retailers will sell a 90-day supply of medication for the cost of a 60-day supply.
Costco, sadly, was the second highest cost. I think this is unfortunate considering I often see their pharmacies in the poorest neighborhoods.
The manufacturers of many popular medications have one-use trial offers to get a free 30-day supply, often by providing basic contact info and printing a coupon. One medication I formerly used had a free starter pack which was a big bonus because you needed to increase the dosage three times over the course of 30 days and three 10-day prescriptions almost invariably will cost more than one 30-day supply. I was able to print a voucher for a free 30-day supply of my most expensive medication, so I will save over $300 dollars off this month's expenses. HUGE.
The Partnership for Prescription Assistance couldn't help me, but could be of great use to others. They do have a page of discount drug cards/programs. I am printing some off to see if they can also help, at least during this no-insurance period.
What experiences have you had? Any lessons you can pass on?
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