I like the $4 prescription drug list, and it has saved me money on antibiotics, meds for hypertension, etc.
But a lot of generic drugs are not listed on the $4/month list.
Do any pharmacies have things like $10 or $15/month lists that are larger and that include various generics that are too expensive to be in the $4/month list?
Or is the $4 a month/$10 every 3 month list the only list of generic drugs that are all priced the same?
Different pharmacies have totally different plans. Even Walmart has certain drugs $9 a month, and not $4. Rite Aid (where I work), has 3 levels, $3.99 a month, $8.99 a month, and $11.99 a month, depending on the medication.
Is there a particular medication you are looking for?
No, I’m trying to get some health concerns under control but the drugs for those are mostly on the $4 list. I wonder more because whenever I need a prescription for a generic I don’t know if it’ll cost $5 or $30, so I’d like to see a more expanded list so I know where to go to get it filled.
Well, I’m not aware of any comprehensive lists, however, I do know that some chains have drugs that aren’t on other chains lists. For example, last I knew, K-Mart was the only one with Simvastatin.
The chains I know of with drug discount lists, Walmart, Target, K-Mart, Kroger, Rite Aid (where I work), and Walgreens has one that requires a membership fee to access. I don’t know about any regional chains not in the South East.
Try going to their websites, or, you can always call a pharmacy and ask for a price quote. Just make sure to mention it is cash pay.
Check your local grocery pharmacies too. Grocery chain pharmacies are really starting to compete with the places like WalMart, etc. One local grocery here offers regular metformin at no charge.
Another option you may have is to talk with your insurance’s pharmacy department or provider. Believe it or not, your insurance company doesn’t care WHERE you get your meds as long as you take them as prescribed by your doctor. They’re highly interested in compliance, and they may have a consult-a-pharmacist service or a health advocate service that can tell you about what pharmacies in your area have what meds at what cost to you. They maintain databases of this. I can’t guarantee your plan does this, but I know of several that do.
To add to the above - competition has really driven prices down on a lot of generic drugs. Even if it isn’t on the $4 list, if it’s a generic that isn’t particularly new, it’s still likely to be cheap. Examples from when I worked at Walmart were simvastatin ($5/30) and amlodipine ($5/30). Also, as mentioned, it never hurts to call around. And if the pharmacy is inconvenient for you, at least Walmart will price match, I imagine some others do as well.
And if you have insurance, and can deal with the headache, mail-order services can be a major money-saver.
We’ve a situation where the local Mom and Pop was the only drug store in town and then came Walmart.
The local store has lowered some prices to less than $4. But each time one must ask. It get complicated. My insurance company wants me to do the 3 month for $15 bit but the locals will do one month of some medications for $3.98 if I am treated as a non-insurance patient.