An occasion where something that seemed too good to be true turned out to be true.

[Philly13]

Some of you may remember as Medicare Open Enrollment started I posted about discovering that Cigna HealthSpring is a Plan D PDP carrier who the website said made a deal with 2 pharmacies that indicated they would deliver generic Zytiga for $285 retail price. Frankly, I was VERY skeptical they would deliver when the time came.

I am very happy to report that I picked up my first batch of 120 pills containing 250mg abariterone acetate for $285.30. Assuming there are no changes and Zytiga continues to be effective, I will not hit the coverage gap, or donut hole, in 2020. That will be $8,000 saving, including the premium and the $435 deductible on Plan G, in 2020.

I don't use emoticons, but I am smiling.

Philly

[pleinairpainter]

Thanks for the follow-up on this. It could be a real savings for many.

[leo2634]

Just signed on to Cigna started 01/01/20

[tallguy2]

This is excellent advice, thanks for sharing!

[Gearhead]

Thank you very much for your report.

[3putt]

This is an answer to a prayer! Which 2 pharmacies?

[Philly13 in reply to 3putt]

The 2 pharmacies in Pennsylvania are Costco and Savon (in the Acme supermarket). I am pretty sure these prices are negotiated with Cigna HealthSpring PDP for medicare. For instance the price at Walgreens on this same policy is approximately $9,000 per month.

[herb1 in reply to Philly13]

What I couldn't understand is that both Acme and Walgreen are "preferred" pharmacies under my Cigna plan. But Walgreen isn't budging. I also suspect that there may be something of a computer confusion between generic and brand Zytiga in each company's software. We shall see.

[Philly13 in reply to herb1]

I got the prices in November from the Government website. I knew that Walgreens price is much higher for 2020. I believe the contract is set and there is no wiggle room since these prices are registered on the Government website. I already picked up the first month supply of abiraterone at Costco. It was $285.30. The deductible on my plan is $435. Once I am past that it will be about $70. If the coverage gap comes into play 5% of 285 is $14.25. I don't think I will hit the coverage gap in 2020 unless abiraterone stops working and I need some other expensive medication. For the moment, I am taking my son's advice, and enjoying the win while driving 10 minutes further to pick it up.

The only places to get abiraterone at these prices are Acme and Costco. In this case the preferred pharmacy designation is irrelevant. The information may differ state by state. I have done the research and called each pharmacy to confirm this. Most of the first conversations are with people that don't know what they are talking about. That rarely stops customer service people from making up answers, but I have spoke to enough of the to politely move past that to find someone that knows about these specialty drugs.

[pilot52]

Great stuff! I will wing waggle for a job well done...looking at a Champion Scout and if I pull the trigger I can start doing loops! Blue Skies. Sky King and Penny (woof)

[MateoBeach]

😊😘🙏