Shopping Around for Cheaper Medications

 I had back surgery last year, and I still get muscle spasms quite often. I had to go to my primary care physician today because I have had a spasm for over a week that has made its way to my neck and shoulders keeping me from sleeping. She prescribed me a muscle relaxer and a Medrol Dose Pack.

 When I dropped the prescriptions off the lady said it would take about 45 minutes. After running a few errands I return to pick up my meds. The young woman working the window said $27. I said, “FOR WHAT?” She said it was for the Medrol Dose Pack. I told her I was sure they had a cheaper one even though the box she was holding was a generic medication. She then informed me that it was submitted through on my insurance. I have a $2500 deductible before my insurance will pay 100%, so I still have to pay for my meds full price. I then asked her where my muscle relaxer was. She had no clue, but came back and told me to drive to the back of the line and it would be ready. Annoyed, I said ok, but asked her to check on a cheaper dose pack.

 When I got back in line, I called Walmart and asked how much their Medrol Dose Pack cost. She said $14!!!! I pulled up to the window and was given my muscle relaxer as she told me there is not a cheaper dose pack. I informed her that there IS a cheaper one, and it’s at Walmart. I also informed her that I will be having the prescription transferred to Walmart because I will not be paying double for it. The look on her face was priceless.

 I can’t help but wonder if I had not had insurance, would they have charged that much? Something else that bothers me is, I wonder how many people don’t know any better and are actually paying double or even more on their medications. I just hope to get the message out there to shop around!!

 I plan on calling the same pharmacy at a different location tomorrow and asking how much it is, just to see if I was actually charged that much because I had insurance. I also will be calling my insurance company to let them know about this. See, they had no way of knowing if I had met my deductible or not until they ran it through. If I had already met the deductible, my insurance would have paid 100% and no questions would have been asked. This is just crazy.

 So if you are getting prescriptions, especially a new one that you’re not familiar with, I suggest you shop around for the price before buying it. I knew there had to be a cheaper one, but I honestly never thought it would be right at 50% cheaper!! Again… crazy.