Micah just got back from the drugstore. This is the first time he’s refilled his crazy pills since becoming properly insured. While prescriptions aren’t covered until he’s met the $1200 deductible, he can use the card to get a certain discount on them. So I was waiting with not-really bated breath but definite curiosity to find out how much he got off.
Compared to the overall price, I believe we saved something like $30 or $40. Yay!
But what’s surprising is that we’d already been saving $4 less (so $26-36?) with a free prescription card from YourRxCard.com. Back in October, I think, I decided to start looking for prescription drug programs since we didn’t have insurance and antidepressants are expensive.
I ran across YourRxCard but didn’t really believe it. A free prescription drug card? How could that actually save money? Still, I figured that since it was a free program and our local CVS was supposed to be participating I should give it a try. So I printed up copies for each of us and gave Micah one to take next time he got a refill. Suggested he ask whether they’d take it.
We befuddledly rejoiced when it saved us about 1/3 of the price. I honestly think that the only reason pharmacies accept it is to win customers. We didn’t have to pay anything for it and thus I doubt card-makers pay for it either.
But what matters is that the pharmacy was willing to accept it. It must have its reasons.
It makes a little more sense with the insurance company, they probably have all kinds of agreements with the drug store. Plus they have a motivation for us to pay less…less chance that we’ll reach the out-of-pocket deductible this year. That’s fine with me too.
The insurance card does save more, so we’ll keep using it. I’m also more comfortable using the insurance card since I don’t think the pharmacy will suddenly reject a major insurance company.
But if you somehow don’t have insurance or at least insurance for prescriptions, consider popping by YourRxCard.com and seeing if your local pharmacies participate. It’s free and worth a shot.
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Good news! I’m including a link to this post in today’s Saturday round-up.
I think your RX discount card is just a marketing program.
Every biz knows there are some people who will pay full retail. Some who will shop a little bit for a discount. Some who are going to get the absolute rock bottom price deal. (I am this consumer).
Your CVS (or the chain) pays to be in that affiliated marketing program. They are only giving a discount on this item because you took the initiative to look for one. Otherwise, they may as well hit you for full retail….
Never Pay Retail. Never EVER Pay Retail. Most of the time all it takes is some initiative and some hutzpah to ask for a discount.
If the person isn’t a commissioned sales person. I do this A LOT and almost every time I’m successful. You can ask them – hey when does this product go on sale? Are there coupons out there? How can you help me save a buck or two? Chances are this person is a working John or Jane just like the rest of us. If you ask nicely, relate with them, and even point out they are the expert on the sale of prescription drug discounts (in your example), then they will usually point you in the right direction. If they can’t help or won’t help – you’re only out your time. That’s when I usually head to the next avenue of getting a deal….
i have insurance that takes care of my prescriptions with a low copay from me…however, because my spouse is retired military and my insurance is a benefit of being married to the guy, i go to the nearest base to see my doctor and use the base pharmacy which does not cost me anything except the gas to get there. even with gas cost being so high, i still save by not having to make those copays. and i get to visit the commissary while i am there as well where meat and produce is about 40-50% cheaper.
Mrs M – if the antidepressants are generic (talk to your doc), then you should shop around. CVS will not have the lowest price. I believe Sams Club and Costco do not require membership to use the pharmacy.
Check this out: http://tinyurl.com/2x8fx2
Thanks, deepali. Unfortunately they’re not generic. And doctors don’t like to change something that works.
Sorry – my parenthetical got cut off – I meant to say “talk to your doc if they’re not”. If there is a generic option available, it’s worth trying. You might have to push the doc a bit on it (never take no from a doctor). But you’re out of luck if it’s something newer or unique. But it’s always worth a shot!
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Is this thing for real? I saw it last month and used it to buy my wife’s birth control but I started thinking, could this be a scam? Is it some form of identity theft scam or something, I mean they must get our information from the pharmacy right? I’m a little worried now. It saved us a lot of money, we saved $60 but I’m just worried that this could be too good to be true.
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