(no subject)

[dolari]

30 day supply of Metformin: $19
30 day supply of Lisinopril: $18
30 day supply of Lantus: $139
24 day supply of test strips: $154
"30 day" supply of needles: $34
"30 day" supply of Humalog: $138

Grand total: $502 a month in medications.

I should be spending more in (apparently unreimbursible) medicine in a month than my rent ($500). I only make $1700 a month. Some months, I only make $1550.

I've been lucky, though. I've managed to whittle down the test strips to $61 by buying from a clearance site (although those expiration dates are a little worrisome). I've gon from using 4 needles a day to 1 (And got another 100 for free), making my 30 day supply last almost three, and I've still got half a vial of my Humalog insulin since I hardly ever use it. Also, I have two Lantus pens from my doctor, which extended my 30 day supply to 50. That's saved me at least $231. And I still didn't have enough to buy my second vial of Lantus insulin. I had to have Crys buy it for me.

Those will run out soon, as with my faith in any reimbursement dwindling, it may mean cutting back on the few things left to whittle down. Namely killing the phone, dropping groceries to absolutely bare minimums, and hoping 30 gallons of gas will last a really long time in my pickup.

Meanwhile - I watched MSP in British Columbia, Canada, save my then-fiancee's life, with emergency surgery, and an extended hospital stay of almost two weeks, at no charge to her. At all. $0. Some red tape to get around because of a bureaucratic snafu, but in the end $0.

Anyone who thinks National Healthcare is wrong clearly has never had to worry about where their next possibly lifesaving insulin shot is coming from.

Comments

[senselessviolnz.livejournal.com]

Sweetie, I just went to Walmart.com. Virtually all the test strips they carry are around $60 for a box of 50, and Metformin is $10 for a 90-day supply (my partner takes it too).

For the non-generic prescriptions, I would look at canadameds.com. I've ordered from them in the past, and have had no troubles. Hope this helps.

[jenndolari.livejournal.com]

My test strips are for 100 count (4 times a day for about 30 days supply). The price of the Metformin at Rite Aid is $9 if I'm on their "Wellness" plan, but only for a few months, before it goes to full price.

Also, I won't shop at Walmart, ever. I'll do other's but not them (or Best Buy, for personal reasons).

[senselessviolnz.livejournal.com]

I don't know what chain stores are up there in the northwest, but several places also do the $4-30/$10-90 on generic prescriptions.

[taliabear.livejournal.com]

QFC is where I get my cheapass Metformin.

[chantry.livejournal.com]

Check Costco's prices - I don't believe you need to be a member to use the pharmacy. And if you do need to be a member, I'll pay for your 1st year's membership ($50).

[audaciousd.livejournal.com]

I think you're right about not having to be a member to use bulk-warehouse-places' (Sam's & Costco) pharmacies... I think it's the law. Only one way to find out, though. :)

[toastyman.livejournal.com]

Is there a Walgreens near you? If so, their $20/year savings plan (http://www.walgreens.com/pharmacy/psc/psc_overview_page.jsp ) gives you 90 day supplies of Metformin for $9, Lisinopril for $12, Lantus(assuming 1 unit day usage) for $17, and huge discounts for Humalog but that totally depends on your usage...

Even if there isn't one super close to you, you only need to drive to one once to fill the prescription initially, then you can have them mailed to you for renewals. You can't combine anything using their savings card with an insurance claim on the same purchase, but if your insurance will cover anything you just fill those separately.

[jenndolari.livejournal.com]

I may do just that. I don't like chains, but at this point, the activist in me just needs to shut up and buy from a chain.

[toastyman.livejournal.com]

Chains aren't the best, but this is actually a pretty altruistic program on Walgreens' behalf. They pay the difference between what they charge you and what the drugs cost themselves, the whole program is run at a loss. They admit that getting people into the stores tends to make them spend money, but even their latest investor quarterly report said that they expect to lose millions/year doing this.

So you can either look at this as "doing business with one of the few good chains and rewarding them" or "causing the evil corporation to lose money and benefit yourself in the process". :)

[kisai.livejournal.com]

Doesn't cost 0, it costs 57$/mo. But should also point out that it becomes zero if you make less than X money a year.

Still...

When Canadians hear about the for-profit hospitals, screw-everyone-insurance companies, and gun crimes, very few would willingly move to the US unless that was their goal at the end of their university education (the US hires away most of our doctors.)