Weird Prescription Drug Plan?

I started a new job a few months ago. I had to switch to a national health insurance provider for the first time that I was not thrilled about. I had preferred to stay with my current insurance company and a similar plan (my old plan was great in terms of cost).

Yesterday I refilled my prescription for the first time with my new insurance. The meds are my Mesalamine suppositories 1000mg which I take every other night. Looked at the price and almost had a mini-heart attack as the listed price for me to pay was over $850 for 30 of them. I figured their had to be a mistake. Then I read at the way way way bottom of my health insurance brocheure given that prescription charges are charged 100% until my deductible is met, 90% until my Out-of-pocket max is met and then 100% after that. That is one of the dumber insurance plans I've heard of, but I had 3 choices, all three had that rule, and the one I picked was the lowest deductible so I guess I picked the right one.

The suppositories and my Entyvio (I'm guessing I'll get that bill soon for my recent infusion) will easily take me over my deductible and my OoP max will be hit eventually. I want my Entyvio bill to come to me first since I am enrolled in a patient reimbursement program so I get reimbursed for any charges I have to pay for the Entyvio. I did it once and it was easy. However, I am out of suppositories and I need to get them sooner rather than later so I'm not sure I can hold off on getting my suppositories while waiting for this Entyvio bill to come.

Anyone ever have this problem? Could I get a prescription for say 7-10 suppositories instead of 30? That would at least tide me over until my Entyvio bill comes and I get to my deductible. My doctor suggested looking at Canada online pharmacies, not sure how I feel about that. My doctor also said we could try an enema, but I would prefer suppositories. Is there a generic alternative to the brand name that would be cheaper?

Unless there is a packaging issue, you can request less than 30 day supply. Just tell the pharmacy how much you want to fill. As the purchaser, this is entirely upto you, as long as they do not have to open a package.

OP asked: Can I get less than a 30 day supply?

It depends on how helpful your pharmacy and doctor is. I had no trouble in past picking up just one box of 7 mesalamine enemas when I could not afford or didn't need a months supply. My doctor was not involved, the pharmacy just dispensed less than the RX script specified which was a yearly supply RX.

Some pharmacies may be more difficult and have to contact doctor to get permission to dispense less but I haven't had that experience. My high deductible never gets met, at least you see an end to your deductible when you've reached it. Good luck.