Wellness

[Ainhisg]

What is the process to use a GoodRx coupon?  We have to use CVS as my husband's employer contracted with them.  A generic script of mine is now over $800!  What in the world?  GoodRx's cheapest coupon is for Walgreens, and the script is $118 there.  What do I need to do to get the script transferred to Walgreens, and is the Walgreens GoodRx coupon price guaranteed?  Do I need to go to Walgreen's to ask them about it?

Question #2:  Have any of you used Amazon pharmacy?  What is your experience with it?  Is it easy to get prescriptions transferred OUT of Amazon and into a B&M pharmacy if needed?  

[haddon9]

@Ainhisg I have not used Amazon pharmacy but have used GoodRx for more than a year.

I was using CVS pharmacy and discovered that CVS was much more expensive than other local pharmacies using GoodRX coupons.

What you do (you can experiment just to check it out now even if you might not need a refill yet) is get the information on your prescription....the exact name, dosage and the number of pills, etc.  Put that information into the GoodRX  site along with your zip code and the price for the pills will come up....the cost will vary depending on the pharmacy.

Usually there will be several pharmacies listed in your area with their prices.  You can pick one, and the coupon will come up.  If you want to make the purchase, you can either print out the coupon or send it to your phone (you can also take a photo of the image).

You then bring the coupon to your pharmacy when you want to make the purchase.  They need to check the codes before they approve the price.

The last time I did this was early in the month.  I decided to stop using CVS and go to Rite Aid since they were significantly cheaper. 

My BP meds for 90 days would have cost me over $400.00 without insurance or a GoodRX coupon.  If I had used CVS it would have cost over $150.00.  By going to Rite Aid the cost was $33.00 but I had a one time deal coupon for $13.00! ...big difference! 

I would check to see if prices are much less than CVS in your area even with your DH's company's deal with them.  It's worth checking and by using a GoodRx coupon you are basically buying the medication without insurance.

How do they do it?  I have no idea but I am curious how it is done.

ETA:  To transfer a script I'm not sure if one pharmacy will do that for you....they don't want to lose business but you never know.  What I do is call my doctor and tell them to send the Rx to a new pharmacy because of cost.

I want to add that I think it's all a very annoying game we have to play to get the best price for one's medication!  

[Ainhisg]

@haddon9 , thank you for the detailed response!

[haddon9]

@Ainhisg You're welcome!  It's really very easy to do once you start using the coupons.

[on the bay]

@haddon9,

That is such a good explanation.

 I recently read about Single Care which goes on the same concept as GoodRx, but often has even less costs. Someone recommended here.

But you know, I always thought these 2 sites were just letting you know about different and best costs at local pharmacys for an rx. I didn't know you had to get the coupon on your phone or that there was a coupon to show. I thought the store just gave you that price.

I have never used these I just always told my kids and friends about them.

So thank you. I keep learning here!

[MissJillie]

Try pricing at a local pharmacy, not a brand name one. I use HeathSmart pharmacy and it is cheaper than Walmart without Insurance.

[On It]

@Ainhisg I hope you find good prices with GoodRX. I actually received a card from them last week. It was mailed to me. Not to cloud the issue but Cost Plus Drugs has incredible bargains. You can go to their website to see a list of medications and their prices. Mark Cuban founded the site  3 or so years ago. A call to the doctor's office can get prescriptions sent anywhere you need them. Don't hesitate to ask.

CVS is way too expensive. It is part of CVS Healthcare that owns Aetna, CVS Pharmacies, and Caremark, a company that manages health benefits. We stopped using them two years ago and haven't regretted that decision.

[willomenia]

It's quite easy really, go to Google plug in goodrx, goodrx will ask for zip code, your drug name then all the pharmacies in your area will be listed with the amount . It lists several, goodrx amount is different at different pharmacies. Select one and print or copy code, then bring that to store. To switch pharmacies, just go to new pharmacy and select drug to switch the pharmacy does all the work. You could always call the pharmacy and do over the phone. I'm not sure how goodrx works, but I think it's the drug company picking up the balance of the drug.

[on the bay]

Yes! @On It,

thanks for that reminder too!

Cost Plus Drugs started by Shark guy Mark Cuban has incredibly low costs for many popular brand name drugs. It's worth a look if the med/rx you use is included on there.

And I agree, CVS, (and also Walgreens), have always been more and too expensive.

I also got a Goodrx card but I think no one needs that to use the site and discounts. I think it is just a reminder or even just as an ad to use GoodRx. You don't even need to sign up on this and Single Care sites.

[Love my grandkids]

@Ainhisg About 4 years ago I joined GoodRx and they sent me a little plastic member card which I gave to my fabulous Safeway pharmacy. It's my permanent account info and my Rx's are automatically put through GoodRx, even tho I have Medicare and UHC.

In all these years only ONE time has my Medicare/UHC copay been a better price than GoodRx.

I have saved literally 100s of dollars as I kept track for the first 3 years.