If you or someone you know does not have precription coverage read this post.

Susie, I know this does you no good now but I have been posting here about GoodRx for some time. It's one of those things that seems too good to be true, Huh? I have saved money even though I have ins. If it's not on their formulary, GoodRx will cover it. I have saved my Mom N 2 Sisters at least $1,000 over the last year or so. It's sooo great that you found them. go GoodRx . . Q

PS: They even advertise on this site!a

We sure would have liked paying $22 instead of almost $92 that is for sure. I was just floored when the pharmacist said the amount because years ago I was on Doxycycline a lot & it was so inexpensive. When I asked yesterday why it was so expensive she said that the FDA closed down one of the plants that made it & this was the end result of getting a plant shut down.

Even with insurance some old medicines, old generics, have skyrocketed in price. I was prescribed an epi-pen, had to leave it. I can't afford to have something that I might not even need before it expires. I'll just chew up a Benadryl and hope for the best.

Those cards are great for people who can't afford medicines. Unfortunately, if you get ANY sort of government assistance, including Medicare, Medicaid, etc., you aren't allowed to use them. You can't even pay cash and use them.

Most of the time when I get a prescription filled my insurance pays nothing or next to it. The cost of my meds is usually within my co-pay.

Another serious problem is that insurances have been dropping medicines that are commonly used from their formularies. I can't get prescription-strength Nexium or any other PPI. Meds for osteoporosis are mostly not covered either. I quite often call my doctors back from the pharmacy and ask if there is anything else I can take for the condition. They've written appeals for me a few times too.

When you're shopping for insurance take a look at the company's formulary. If you're taking something expensive it might be worthwhile to take a slightly higher price policy. My company has 4 different prices for drugs depending on which policy I have.

Susie, I just checked on th Doxcycycline and Good Rx said that you could cover it with ins. Card. Every timr you go to pick up your meds do what I do, check with GoodRx first, you never know what you'll save . . . Q

Hey Y'all,

I seem to find myself between a rock and a boulder...hoping for input of others.  I started PM in January of this year.  I was blind-sided by the cost of medications.  I'm NO stranger to chronic pain.  I had tried PM back in 2005-06, but due to the side effects of injections and oral meds, I could not maintain cognitive function in my fast pace career.  I "chose" to stop PM and just grind through the pain.  Back then I had amazing insurance coverage, with manageable co-pays for meds.  Times have certainly changed for me, as it has for many Americans.  I no longer have amazing insurance...lucky to have health insurance at all...NO prescription coverage.  I am astounded at the cost of pain meds.  I CANNOT AFFORD the meds my PM doctor wants me to have.  He has told me that "there are new drugs out there that could change your life- - -if you could afford them".  After trials of Methadone (no) and Morphine ER (no) I am taking Oxycodone (because I can't afford extended release).  My pain is all over the place.  I awake in pain FAR WORSE than before starting PM. (Don't understand that, either...but not for this post).

Back on point...I use a chain pharmacy that says they'll "scan" the Good RX to "see" if it "works", but claim they are basing their costs on "no prescription" coverage.  They've quoted $400+ per month for Oxycontin.  Who can afford that? Not me.  I use generic on ALL maintenance meds since losing my prescription coverage.  I had to give up my life saving med of 30 years (Donnatal) because it's now "name brand only" @ $200+ per month.  I need Linzess, but it's $258 per month.

I have BEGGED pharmaceutical companies to help me.  I download applications to fill out and submit proof of income, etc.  I'm told repeatedly that I do not fall within their "parameters of assistance".  I don't seem to qualify for ANY assistance.  I did receive the Good RX card, but it won't be enough discount for me to start Oxy ER. 

What should I do?  Please feel free to advise.  Any help will be appreciated.

Dixie  

 

Hey M...I have.  That's it...$400 per month for Oxy ER.  I don't know what else I can do.  My PM wanted me to go straight to Fentanyl patch in January, upon our first consultation.  Side note:  I have issues with mal absorption since gastric bypass in 1987.  I have problems with oral meds in my surgically altered "pouch".  I must confess that I reject the patches based on primal fear.  I tried them in 2005-06 and experienced relief like no other, but withdrawals between required intervals was a bee-otch. 

I am in a really bad place.  I don't like to whine, but I already have 4 maintenance meds and my husband has 5 HBP meds per month...How do we survive and not go belly up in order for me to find pain relief to SURVIVE?

 

Thanks for listening and for your input.  It's much appreciated.  I'll go to the GRX site and try again=)

Dixie

No worries, M&G...We could spend the afternoon, um-m...several afternoons, talking about the infinite lifestyle changes we've had to make since the economic crash=(  Then massive tornadoes ripped through AR/MS/AL this Spring and blew away what was left.  I remain grateful for what we have, considering there are MANY who did not survive.

You never have to apologize for your input with me, sweetie.

Hugs- - -Dixie

Sweet Sunshine,
I typed New Mexico pharmacy discount card into my search function and received a printable card, it's not card size but I'll fold it up into my wallet.
Next chance I'll take it to my CVS and see how it compares with GoodRx. Thank you sooo much for the tip! . . . Q

Best wishes and get feeling better soon!

Thanks, Sunshine...I looked for my state.  It says the average discount is 35%, which still wouldn't make the extended release version of Oxycodone affordable long-term.  The newer "boutique" meds my doctor recommends are EVEN MORE OUTRAGIOUS=(  It's just a crying shame that meds are this expensive.

HUGS---Dixie 

Dixie, I show $90 with ins. Card at cvs for 90 40 mg OxyContin on GoodRx

PS: it shows a$90 copayment with ins.card. I assume you have ins, right? This will make Oxycodone doable for you! Now I have a few other people to tell. Maybe where sweet lives they give a bigger discount than you. Good luck . . .

Post Edited (quincy17) : 9/2/2014 9:14:28 PM (GMT-6)

Hi sunshine ,,
.the way Medicare has my plan D is that I'm a catastrophic case. I pay over $15,000for meds a month so all my meds are free. I always check my prices though and try to find ways to save others in my family of friends money. I don't know what Mike the pharmacist is gonna tell mr on OxyContin and the NM card or the GoodRx card until I ask him. I'll get back to you on Thursday. . . . .Q