Just a quick note from a pharmacist's view. The
reason your prescription was cheaper with insurance was because the insurance
company paid the pharmacy the difference. Generally, insurance deductibles do
not apply to prescriptions, just medical care. Most policies charge a
co-pay, which is what you paid the second time. If you got a lot of
prescription, you could probably get a refund and have your pharmacy re-process
those refills. If it has been too long, get receipt copies and send them
in to your insurance. You may get a refund.
I've written this before about
the Canadian system, but it bears repeating. The Canadian pharmacies can
have lower prices for several reasons. Number 1 is the currency exchange rate
with last I checked was about 25%. Secondly, Canadian Pharmacies inventory is
owned by the Canadian government. The drugs in the pharmacies are on
consignment and the pharmacies do not pay for them until they are sold.
That is a huge difference because in the US we pay for our inventory up front.
Finally, you will find that the savings are mostly on brand name drugs because
the drug companies contract with the government for them. Generics are usually
more expensive than in the US because those companies do not
contract.
In the 30+ years I've been a
pharmacist, I've seen our industry change dramatically. Even 10 years ago,
insurance was rare for prescriptions and new it comprises upwards of 80% of the
business. This shrinks margins and profits and makes it difficult for any
pharmacy to be profitable. This being the case, patient service is the only
thing differentiating pharmacies.
The Medicare DO program and new
regulations going through Congress now the reduce Medicaid reimbursement only
complicate the situation. Many pharmacies and chains are very concerned
that we cannot fill a prescription and make any profit. The chain
pharmacies are willing to take some loss just to get the patient in the door to
make other purchases. The independent pharmacies
cannot compete with that, so we have to take
contracts that aren't profitable to keep our customer base.
I hope this helps. One solution
was to allow Minnesota Pharmacies to buy at Canadian prices, which of course the
drug companies stopped.
Dick Gaffron
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 2:22
PM
Subject: Re: [Winona] prescription
prices
[Winona Online Democracy]
we are self employed and have a huge
deductable just to get the montly rate somewhat affordable. One year my
husband had several tests done and was nearing his deductable, he had a
prescription filled at ShopKo. while still in the store I asked him if
he had given his insurance number to the pharmacy. (we usually don't even
bother as we are not going to meet our deductable unless one of us ends up
in the hospital). He hadn't given them the insurance, so he went back in to
the pharmacy. They had to redo his order because if he used insurance
to pay for the prescription it was cheaper! Now why should that
matter? Same medication but a different price if paid out of pocket or paid
through insurance.
Our entire health care system needs help and I
don't know what that help is.
Linda Fort
[Winona Online Democracy]
I find it VERY interesting what pharmacies themselves
charge for drugs. I get a prescription filled in Winona( Walgreens) and pay
cash for it because it is cheaper than paying the co-pay( 9.95 retail vs.
the 10.00 co-pay), I was shocked to find out that my local (Eden Prairie,
Mn) Walgreens retails the EXACT same prescription for $17.00, unbelievable
how the same company gouges different zip codes, The last I checked
Walgreens don't have franchise agreements so I don't understand how there
can be a 70% markup/difference in pricing between two company owned
stores.
Yahoo!
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