ACA Rant: Perscription drug costs

[nimdabew]

I am pissed that the price has gone up almost 500% since I started buying it. It is not a new drug, and even the pharmacist was alluding to some outside influence. It is normal for a 75% price hike, but not something so sudden and in time with parts of a law taking effect. Anywyas, it was a rant and me being pissed off about something stupid. In the end, my cause is over kitte compared to a lot of others, good or bad.

[TAZ]

Talk to your doctor about alternatives to the treatment he has prescribed. Unless your doc is getting a kickback or is a dick he will work with you to insure that you can get treatment. Also talk to the pharmacist to see what is available. Try other pharmacies. Pharmacies are money making adventures not charity houses. They influence price as well. It's not like they aren't making any money in your transaction.

VOTE accordingly as well. While I doubt that the ACA is 100% responsible for all healthcare problems it doesn't help the situation. It also offers manufacturers and distributors and pharmacies the ability to hide the weeney by raising prices and blaming the other guy.

[SilverBullet432]

I'm not trying to be a dick nor am I a fan of the ACA, but the price of your drug probably has little to do with the law. We go through periods where pharmaceutical companies cut back on the production of various drugs. This will cause the laws of supply vs. demand to kick in and prices go up. My suggestion is that you work the other side of that equation by shopping at other pharmacies (Walmart, CVS, Target, etc.), use a different preparation that is less expensive, or have your doctor prescribed a less expensive alternative.

As for the cost of insurance being less than affordable, you are correct. I suggest that you vote accordingly...

This. We paid $5 for generics before this crap, still $5..

[Abraham]

A couple of days ago we received a couple of discount savings cards from TheHealthcareAlliance.com with a phone number:866-368-1434. The card has this information printed on it and calls the cards Primary Rx Savings Card.

Are they legit?

I don't know, but from what little research I've read nothing negative.

The card claims the cardholder will save up to 75% on prescription medication at pharmacies everywhere as apparently they have agreements with many different pharmacies. Present the card to the pharmacist and ask for your discount with your prescription. Simple. Plus, they're not asking for a fee (at least not yet) from the card holders.

Again, I don't know if they're legit, but certainly worth looking into.

When I find out more, I'll post it.

[Caeser25]

Easy. I will pay for it.

If the choice is making rent or giving someone else 4k each year for little benefit, I will make rent. I will soon be able to be a rider on my wife's policy, but right now, can't afford or do it.

If you can't afford 4K for an insurance policy, God forbid, how will you pay for, let's say a $15,000 appendectomy?

[Abraham]

I've mentioned this before, but it's worth a repeating.

I had a very problematic kidney stone that required a lot of things medical be done.

The final bill: $8500/8600

At the time, my health insurer required $250 out of pocket expense from me and they chipped in $500.00. So the hospital got a whopping $750.00 against an $8600.00 bill. The hospital was fine with that amount.

What does that tell you?

You can negotiate for far less than their (you can bet over padded) bill.

[cwgibson]

I'm not trying to be a dick nor am I a fan of the ACA, but the price of your drug probably has little to do with the law. We go through periods where pharmaceutical companies cut back on the production of various drugs. This will cause the laws of supply vs. demand to kick in and prices go up. My suggestion is that you work the other side of that equation by shopping at other pharmacies (Walmart, CVS, Target, etc.), use a different preparation that is less expensive, or have your doctor prescribed a less expensive alternative.

As for the cost of insurance being less than affordable, you are correct. I suggest that you vote accordingly...

This, some drugs simply become unprofitable and therefore companies will stop manufacturing them. If only one or two companies are left manufacturing a certain drug they will generally charge more. It could also be a formulary change with the new insurance, so there is possibly an equivalent drug that would be cheaper for you.


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[nimdabew]

If you can't afford 4K for an insurance policy, God forbid, how will you pay for, let's say a $15,000 appendectomy?

I don't mean to be combative, but looking at 4k for the insurance premium and $7500 for the deductible, I would only be out an additional $3500 for the surgery anyways. The opportunity cost of that $4000 is greater than the risk of not having insurance at this time which is why I am bitching so much at it. My mother-in-laws insurance premiums went up nearly 600% from last years because she broke her deductible in about 3 months last year. Is it right? Insurance companies are in it to make money so I don't blame them, but she is on a fixed income and she is now in the same boat I am in.

BTW, I am young and in great shape. I know it won't last, but I make choices that won't cause me to need to go to the hospital on a daily/weekly basis. The most dangerous thing I do is get in my car (insured) to drive to work (insured through employer).

[nimdabew]

I've mentioned this before, but it's worth a repeating.

I had a very problematic kidney stone that required a lot of things medical be done.

The final bill: $8500/8600

At the time, my health insurer required $250 out of pocket expense from me and they chipped in $500.00. So the hospital got a whopping $750.00 against an $8600.00 bill. The hospital was fine with that amount.

What does that tell you?

You can negotiate for far less than their (you can bet over padded) bill.

This is also a very good point. I had knee surgery a while back that I paid for and the original bill was north of $17000. I managed to get the bill down to just over $6000 including the surgeons fee (623) and the two anesthesiologists ($300 a piece). The rest was hospital fees and $15 aspirins.

[Crow Hunter]

Another thing to do is to contact the manufacturer and see if the have discounts. You would be surprised at how much some companies are willing to discount their product for someone that can't afford it at full price. The worst thing they can tell you is no.