Have they tried mail-order medications for maintenance drugs?

Have they tried mail-order medications for maintenance drugs?

Some of the prescription discount cards requirement is that you have NO insurance but I know that ASTRA ZENECA has a card that allows you to get the Rx for $15 after you spent a certain amount of $$. In my mother's case, it was $315.

good luck ...

Some of the prescription discount cards requirement is that you have NO insurance but I know that ASTRA ZENECA has a card that allows you to get the Rx for $15 after you spent a certain amount of $$. In my mother's case, it was $315.

good luck ...

I keep a list of the drugs my pharmacy sells at a cheap generic price, and ask my doctor to prescribe from that list, whenever possible. If a medicine is not on the list, I discuss it with my doctor and ask if he can substitute one of the generics! So far, I've been able to afford my medication, with one exception, but we found a cheap generic medication (slightly different) that gave me a better result than the $154 per month medication we first tried! Try this first, then work on the other alternatives people suggested here, such as cards from drug companies, or cards to use at local pharmacies! My husband's doctor likes to prescribe some of the newer, more expensive drugs, but he usually either gives several months of samples or issues a drug card giving that medication at a reduced price at certain pharmacies for a set number of months. Ask your pharmacist and/or doctor, and you can also check for buying medication from other countries through a local mail-order prescription drug service provider (for want of a better term; the so-called 'Canadian Med companies", although they often are the middle man for purchasing drugs from several other countries, as well). I've checked on several companies where you can buy medications for reduced prices, via the internet (with a better price for buying more months of the medication per order), where you can purchase drugs from other countries, but without a local office to assist you, but I am very wary of this process after reading some of the comments by customers - not always bad, but often enough to make me cautious)... Finding affordable healthcare is quite a challenge, because premiums and co-pays are astronomical these days - meanwhile prices are increasing while many incomes are decreasing. The best to you in your quest. Many of us have been through the same frustration.

I keep a list of the drugs my pharmacy sells at a cheap generic price, and ask my doctor to prescribe from that list, whenever possible. If a medicine is not on the list, I discuss it with my doctor and ask if he can substitute one of the generics! So far, I've been able to afford my medication, with one exception, but we found a cheap generic medication (slightly different) that gave me a better result than the $154 per month medication we first tried! Try this first, then work on the other alternatives people suggested here, such as cards from drug companies, or cards to use at local pharmacies! My husband's doctor likes to prescribe some of the newer, more expensive drugs, but he usually either gives several months of samples or issues a drug card giving that medication at a reduced price at certain pharmacies for a set number of months. Ask your pharmacist and/or doctor, and you can also check for buying medication from other countries through a local mail-order prescription drug service provider (for want of a better term; the so-called 'Canadian Med companies", although they often are the middle man for purchasing drugs from several other countries, as well). I've checked on several companies where you can buy medications for reduced prices, via the internet (with a better price for buying more months of the medication per order), where you can purchase drugs from other countries, but without a local office to assist you, but I am very wary of this process after reading some of the comments by customers - not always bad, but often enough to make me cautious)... Finding affordable healthcare is quite a challenge, because premiums and co-pays are astronomical these days - meanwhile prices are increasing while many incomes are decreasing. The best to you in your quest. Many of us have been through the same frustration.

I dropped my mom's Medicare Part D insurance. Very irritated with it. The premium plus the donut hole - she is taking 6 generic meds and 2 brand names that are extremely expensive. I realized she went into the donut hole after 90 days supply and that the provider charged more for the drugs, even the generic than I would pay at Walmart generic drugs. In the donut hole, still paying the premium and still paying higher than normal cost for the drugs.

I now buy her generics at Walmart with their $10 90 day supply program. The two brand name drugs are sold in generic outside the US so I buy them in generic through an Australian online pharmacy (that is third party certified) and get those drugs at 4 times less than I was paying for brand name. I see no difference in the performance of the drugs - the manufacturer of these generics will be the manufacturer of US sold generics once the patent comes off in the US. I have also got her doctor's approval. At least I can still afford to give her medication. If I hadn't done this the choice was to stop her Aricept or her Avandia.

I looked into discounts cards and programs, and the drugs are still too high for our income. It basically made no difference in the situation of high cost drugs. I spent the first 8 years watching her money disappear to drug and insurance costs and had to change or not have enough money to pay for anything. I should have changed my approach years before I did.

I dropped my mom's Medicare Part D insurance. Very irritated with it. The premium plus the donut hole - she is taking 6 generic meds and 2 brand names that are extremely expensive. I realized she went into the donut hole after 90 days supply and that the provider charged more for the drugs, even the generic than I would pay at Walmart generic drugs. In the donut hole, still paying the premium and still paying higher than normal cost for the drugs.

I now buy her generics at Walmart with their $10 90 day supply program. The two brand name drugs are sold in generic outside the US so I buy them in generic through an Australian online pharmacy (that is third party certified) and get those drugs at 4 times less than I was paying for brand name. I see no difference in the performance of the drugs - the manufacturer of these generics will be the manufacturer of US sold generics once the patent comes off in the US. I have also got her doctor's approval. At least I can still afford to give her medication. If I hadn't done this the choice was to stop her Aricept or her Avandia.

I looked into discounts cards and programs, and the drugs are still too high for our income. It basically made no difference in the situation of high cost drugs. I spent the first 8 years watching her money disappear to drug and insurance costs and had to change or not have enough money to pay for anything. I should have changed my approach years before I did.

Hi Lisa,

I've recently done a lot of research into getting my mom Part D prescription coverage. I met with a social worker to discuss my options and she suggested I not enroll in a prescription program like Part D.

She told me that Target and Walmart (there might be more) have a prescription program that helps people with the cost of prescriptions. You don't have to have a low income to participate. Target and Walmart have a $4 prescription drug program that works with the Center for Consumer Self Care, UCSF Department of Clinical Pharmacy. http://sites.target.com/site/en/health/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-040590

Anyhow, if your parent takes any prescription drugs that are generic, Target will only charge $4 for a 30-day qty. The social worker also recommended I find out what the generic alternative to any non-generic drugs were and see if the doctor could write a script for the generic version of that drug. You can look up your parents' drugs in the above link to Target's website or on WalMart's website:http://www.walmart.com/cp/PI-4-Prescriptions/1078664

When I took my list to Target, I found out all but 1 were already generic and the doctor quickly wrote a script for the non-generic one.

My mom previously had an expensive insurance and we were paying $135 in co-pays monthly at Walgreens. Target is only charging us $20 for the same drugs.

I hope this also works for you! Please let me know what you decided to do!

Hi Lisa,

I've recently done a lot of research into getting my mom Part D prescription coverage. I met with a social worker to discuss my options and she suggested I not enroll in a prescription program like Part D.

She told me that Target and Walmart (there might be more) have a prescription program that helps people with the cost of prescriptions. You don't have to have a low income to participate. Target and Walmart have a $4 prescription drug program that works with the Center for Consumer Self Care, UCSF Department of Clinical Pharmacy. http://sites.target.com/site/en/health/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-040590

Anyhow, if your parent takes any prescription drugs that are generic, Target will only charge $4 for a 30-day qty. The social worker also recommended I find out what the generic alternative to any non-generic drugs were and see if the doctor could write a script for the generic version of that drug. You can look up your parents' drugs in the above link to Target's website or on WalMart's website:http://www.walmart.com/cp/PI-4-Prescriptions/1078664

When I took my list to Target, I found out all but 1 were already generic and the doctor quickly wrote a script for the non-generic one.

My mom previously had an expensive insurance and we were paying $135 in co-pays monthly at Walgreens. Target is only charging us $20 for the same drugs.

I hope this also works for you! Please let me know what you decided to do!

I am on both sides of the fence with this topic. Working for a medical device/pharmaceutical manufacturing company, I know the cost and time of developing a new drug. It can cost between $10 and $200 million to develop a new drug and it may take up to 10 years from drawing board to market. The pharmaceutical company only has 10 years to recoup the money before it goes off patent. If we don't buy name brand, the pharmaceutical companies will have no incentive to develop and market new and innovative drugs that can greatly improve the lives for us or the ones we love.

On the other side of the fence, my mother with Alzheimer's Disease needs expensive drugs including Aricept and Namenda and even with Part D, it is quite expensive. These costs are hurting her. I use the CVS drug plan for one or two drugs. And like Walgreens, Target and Walmart, those drugs are very reasonably priced.

The most frustrating part is antibiotics. I don't know which ones are "preferred" or generic when I take my mom to the doctor for her upper respiratory tract infection. I don't know if the generic will be as good as the Zpack they want me to get. And when I ask if the one they are prescribing is expensive, the doctor doesn't know. I don't care if it requires that she take it twice a day instead of once a day if it saves her $100. She has morning and evening meds to take anyway. But the doctor doesn't talk about it, doesn't know and doesn't care. And I am left trying to figure this out and wonder if I am asking for inferior treatment.

At the end of the day. I just hope I make more right decisions than wrong when it comes to these meds. It is not easy!

I am on both sides of the fence with this topic. Working for a medical device/pharmaceutical manufacturing company, I know the cost and time of developing a new drug. It can cost between $10 and $200 million to develop a new drug and it may take up to 10 years from drawing board to market. The pharmaceutical company only has 10 years to recoup the money before it goes off patent. If we don't buy name brand, the pharmaceutical companies will have no incentive to develop and market new and innovative drugs that can greatly improve the lives for us or the ones we love.

On the other side of the fence, my mother with Alzheimer's Disease needs expensive drugs including Aricept and Namenda and even with Part D, it is quite expensive. These costs are hurting her. I use the CVS drug plan for one or two drugs. And like Walgreens, Target and Walmart, those drugs are very reasonably priced.

The most frustrating part is antibiotics. I don't know which ones are "preferred" or generic when I take my mom to the doctor for her upper respiratory tract infection. I don't know if the generic will be as good as the Zpack they want me to get. And when I ask if the one they are prescribing is expensive, the doctor doesn't know. I don't care if it requires that she take it twice a day instead of once a day if it saves her $100. She has morning and evening meds to take anyway. But the doctor doesn't talk about it, doesn't know and doesn't care. And I am left trying to figure this out and wonder if I am asking for inferior treatment.

At the end of the day. I just hope I make more right decisions than wrong when it comes to these meds. It is not easy!

COSTCO is the place to go for prescriptions— ".You do not have to be a member...merely say you want to go to the Pharmacy .. .Huge savings compared to CVS, Walgreens etc....Accepts all insurance... Contact lens and glasses too!...Can order online.

COSTCO is the place to go for prescriptions— ".You do not have to be a member...merely say you want to go to the Pharmacy .. .Huge savings compared to CVS, Walgreens etc....Accepts all insurance... Contact lens and glasses too!...Can order online.

Hmm. I won't comment too much on generic vs. brand name drugs because it sounds like you have a personal interest in brand-name drugs sold vs. generic versions of a drug. Also, I'm not an expert in knowing the difference between the quality of the two. What I will say is that my mom's doctor at Rush University Medical Center (ranked among top hospitals in the US) is very conscious of prescription prices and doesn't hesitate to prescribe generic versions. If your doctor isn't familiar with generics vs. brand name, you could print out the list of medications on Targets's website and look it up while the doctor is writing you a prescription. If your drug isn't on the list, ask the doctor if there is a generic version of the drug on the list.(I would personally look for another doctor or have that doctor refer me to someone in their office who does know this information.)

The burden of prescription costs shouldn't be underestimated especially when it causes some people try to deterime which medications they will take and which they won't because of the cost. That, I guarantee, is worse for your health than any kind of "lesser quality" of a generic drug.

Also, there is a great website out there that only charges $10 for prescription glasses! I don't know how this website hasn't become more popular. I'm not sure how much Costco charges for glasses, but I doubt it's $10! http://www.zennioptical.com/

Hmm. I won't comment too much on generic vs. brand name drugs because it sounds like you have a personal interest in brand-name drugs sold vs. generic versions of a drug. Also, I'm not an expert in knowing the difference between the quality of the two. What I will say is that my mom's doctor at Rush University Medical Center (ranked among top hospitals in the US) is very conscious of prescription prices and doesn't hesitate to prescribe generic versions. If your doctor isn't familiar with generics vs. brand name, you could print out the list of medications on Targets's website and look it up while the doctor is writing you a prescription. If your drug isn't on the list, ask the doctor if there is a generic version of the drug on the list.(I would personally look for another doctor or have that doctor refer me to someone in their office who does know this information.)

The burden of prescription costs shouldn't be underestimated especially when it causes some people try to deterime which medications they will take and which they won't because of the cost. That, I guarantee, is worse for your health than any kind of "lesser quality" of a generic drug.

Also, there is a great website out there that only charges $10 for prescription glasses! I don't know how this website hasn't become more popular. I'm not sure how much Costco charges for glasses, but I doubt it's $10! http://www.zennioptical.com/

I have used a Canadian Pharmacy with great results. Go to www.canadianpharmacy.com to visit their website or call them on 887-275-1525. I started out cautiously trying first their cholesterol drugs. I can get 90 days of a brand drug for about $30 vs my Medicare co-pay of $212. My doctor was pleased with the results, so now I use them for everything but generics. I buy generics at Sam's Club and get 90 days supply for $10.

I have also a Health Spending Account (HSA) that I use to charge my drugs to without issue. I am on Medicare, but I use Bank of America for my HSA. I deposit funds into the HSA (which I can take off my income taxes on page 1 of the Form 1040 and that deposit reduces my income). Go to Bank of America website www.bankofamerica.com to sign up.

I have used a Canadian Pharmacy with great results. Go to www.canadianpharmacy.com to visit their website or call them on 887-275-1525. I started out cautiously trying first their cholesterol drugs. I can get 90 days of a brand drug for about $30 vs my Medicare co-pay of $212. My doctor was pleased with the results, so now I use them for everything but generics. I buy generics at Sam's Club and get 90 days supply for $10.

I have also a Health Spending Account (HSA) that I use to charge my drugs to without issue. I am on Medicare, but I use Bank of America for my HSA. I deposit funds into the HSA (which I can take off my income taxes on page 1 of the Form 1040 and that deposit reduces my income). Go to Bank of America website www.bankofamerica.com to sign up.

I go to Costco or Sam's Club. You don't need a membership to use the pharmacy. Consistently have the best prices!

I go to Costco or Sam's Club. You don't need a membership to use the pharmacy. Consistently have the best prices!

Here are a few ideas:

1 Ask your parent's doctor if he has free samples he can give them monthly.

2 Try RX Outreach at 1-800-769-3880. It provides discounted generic meds.

3 Try Xubex at 1-866-699-8239. They are also a discounted prescription

program.

4. Try the manufacturer of the prescription your parents take. Some

manufacturers will give medications for free (might depend on income).

Good luck!

Here are a few ideas:

1 Ask your parent's doctor if he has free samples he can give them monthly.

2 Try RX Outreach at 1-800-769-3880. It provides discounted generic meds.

3 Try Xubex at 1-866-699-8239. They are also a discounted prescription

program.

4. Try the manufacturer of the prescription your parents take. Some

manufacturers will give medications for free (might depend on income).

Good luck!

I have found our psych doc has the best price. Free. Its an income based program, but mom qualifies. They provide all the name brands (3 of the 4) for FREE, in 3 month supplies. Its worth checking to see if you qualify. The others are generics. So I spend only $40 a month for 5 total scripts. Thank goodness!

I have found our psych doc has the best price. Free. Its an income based program, but mom qualifies. They provide all the name brands (3 of the 4) for FREE, in 3 month supplies. Its worth checking to see if you qualify. The others are generics. So I spend only $40 a month for 5 total scripts. Thank goodness!

is there way your company can help me

is there way your company can help me

Hi faye dickins­on,

Thank you for your question. Caring.com is a website with information and resources to help caregivers, and we do not distribute medications or offer discounts for medications.

I see a lot of great suggestions about how and where to get medications at a good price. Hopefully some of those suggestions will be helpful.

Good luck and take care, Emily | Community Manager

Hi faye dickins­on,

Thank you for your question. Caring.com is a website with information and resources to help caregivers, and we do not distribute medications or offer discounts for medications.

I see a lot of great suggestions about how and where to get medications at a good price. Hopefully some of those suggestions will be helpful.

Good luck and take care, Emily | Community Manager

Hey, Lisa. There are so many things to say on this subject. I don't agree with those who advise against Part D coverage. Good Part D coverage is available at very reasonable prices. I don't really know whether we're allowed to recommend specific plans (I'd doubt it), but if you leave me a private message I could say more.

On the plan my wife and I have (for which we each pay $38.10 a month), we get 90-day supplies of generics for four dollars irrespective of the dose. So for example if your doctor doubles your blood presure pills (mine just did), the price stays the same.

And you just have to keep after your doctors regarding your preference for generics. Still, people do have to have brandnames for some medications. And almost all the manufacturers have programs to sell their drugs at discount prices for people on limited incomes (Lord knows we are!). All you need to do is go to the website for a particular namebrand drug and snoop around until you find out the button to click to download an application form for the discount. You fill it out and take it to your doctor. He fills out his part and sends it to the manufacturer with a prescription, and they send the drug to you at low or no price.

Yes, most big drugstore chains have their own programs that cover hundreds of generics at very low prices. They're particularly worthwhile for folks under 65. But I'll tell you, our Part D plan fights those drugstores tooth and nail by the simple method of sincere price competition. Really, ninety-day scrips for four dollars (and thirty-day scrips for two dollars!) Can anyone do better?

Hey, Lisa. There are so many things to say on this subject. I don't agree with those who advise against Part D coverage. Good Part D coverage is available at very reasonable prices. I don't really know whether we're allowed to recommend specific plans (I'd doubt it), but if you leave me a private message I could say more.

On the plan my wife and I have (for which we each pay $38.10 a month), we get 90-day supplies of generics for four dollars irrespective of the dose. So for example if your doctor doubles your blood presure pills (mine just did), the price stays the same.

And you just have to keep after your doctors regarding your preference for generics. Still, people do have to have brandnames for some medications. And almost all the manufacturers have programs to sell their drugs at discount prices for people on limited incomes (Lord knows we are!). All you need to do is go to the website for a particular namebrand drug and snoop around until you find out the button to click to download an application form for the discount. You fill it out and take it to your doctor. He fills out his part and sends it to the manufacturer with a prescription, and they send the drug to you at low or no price.

Yes, most big drugstore chains have their own programs that cover hundreds of generics at very low prices. They're particularly worthwhile for folks under 65. But I'll tell you, our Part D plan fights those drugstores tooth and nail by the simple method of sincere price competition. Really, ninety-day scrips for four dollars (and thirty-day scrips for two dollars!) Can anyone do better?

Canadapharmacy.com has the best prices.

Canadapharmacy.com has the best prices.

what is a psych doc? is it a discount pharmacy?

what is a psych doc? is it a discount pharmacy?