The Hidden Monopolies That Raise Drug Prices

Re:The Hidden Monopolies That Raise Drug Prices by kyleblarson on Thursday March 30, 2017 @10:58AM (#13995925)

Interesting takeaway: going forward I'll always ask the pharmacy if paying out of pocket would actually be cheaper than using my insurance and paying a copay.

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Re:The Hidden Monopolies That Raise Drug Prices by MichaelApproved on Thursday March 30, 2017 @11:04AM (#13995982)

I have insurance with a high deductible. That means, I'm most likely paying a price similar to a cash patient.

Often, it makes more sense to use a free 3rd party "coupon/membership" prescription company to get a better price.

Here are two that have saved me money.

https://www.goodrx.com https://www.blinkhealth.com/

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Re:The Hidden Monopolies That Raise Drug Prices by Broken_Hippo on Thursday March 30, 2017 @12:35PM (#13996840)

Some pharmacies already compare the prices, actually, and when the drug is cheaper than your copay, you just pay the lower amount. At least the pharmacies I've been to in Indiana were like that (CVS mostly, but sometimes Walgreen's).

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Re:The Hidden Monopolies That Raise Drug Prices by maxerickson on Thursday March 30, 2017 @11:08AM (#13996009)

The price they quote you may be their cash price, which will often be higher than your copay. You can also check which free PBMs they accept and see what those prices are.

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Re:The Hidden Monopolies That Raise Drug Prices by zakirenish on Thursday March 30, 2017 @11:11AM (#13996056)

It is almost always the case when it is a generic drug. Also, try to check the price at the small non-chain pharmacy, cash price might be better.

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