More on abiraterone prices

[Gearhead]

I know that there have been many posts on this subject. But because this affects many of us, I hope you can indulge me one more post.

My basic question is: Have some of you stopped buying abiraterone (generic Zytiga) through your Medicare Part D insurance provider and started buying abiraterone through one of the organizations like Good Rx or Cost Plus (Mark Cuban Co.)?

Here, for example, is my situation. I have AARP United Healthcare Walgreen's Part D insurance. The require me to order abiraterone through Optum (which I think they own). This is for a 1-month supply of 90 x 250 mg:

Last year, for the first few months after Jan, their claimed cost was about $590, and my cost was about $236. This year, for the first few months after Jan, their claimed cost is about $1051, and my cost is $473.

That's $473 a month, which won't decrease until I hit the "Gap" tier, which will probably be in October.

Good Rx advertises $152 with free shipping, or $183 at a drug store near me. Cost Plus advertises $95 plus shipping. Seems like a no-brainer. Why am I not doing this? Are there any catches? What has been your experience?

To make this post longer, I'm attaching my Part D plan formulary for antiandrogens. Seems to imply that the only ones you really need are bicalutamide or nilutamide (!).

[Derf4223]

I've been using scriptco.com for abi about 6 months. The bill is $80/month with a membership fee that is nominal compared to out of pocket costs. Scriptco is so cheap I get 90 days at a time. They also have comparably insanely low prices for many other generics.

[Scout4answers in reply to Derf4223]

Thanks, I am going to join Scriptco to buy my Abi

[StayingOptimistic in reply to Scout4answers]

can you get Erleada also from Scriptco? Thanks

[StayingOptimistic in reply to Derf4223]

can you get Erleada also from Scriptco? Thanks

[Derf4223 in reply to StayingOptimistic]

Scriptco and the other cash discount phramacies only handle generic meds. Erleada is not currently available that way (per Google.)

[Atdabeach]

I've used GoodRx for my abi since I started last July. Their price through my local pharmacy (Rite Aid) is $187 for a 30-day supply. My insurance (Medicare Part D through Wellcare, I think) claims a price of $8,000, for which my copay would be 25%, or $2,000. Like you say, a no-brainer. Though I see above I could be doing even better!

[Cactus297 in reply to Atdabeach]

Mark Cuban is $33.60 for 1 month I think.

[Gearhead in reply to Cactus297]

I'm quite sure $33.60 is for 30 250 mg tablets. However, 120 tablets is less than 4 x $33.60.

[Cactus297 in reply to Gearhead]

I am on the website: :Abiraterone AcetateTablet

 • 250mg • 90 count$94.80

Abiraterone AcetateTablet • 250mg • 30 count$33.60

Abiraterone AcetateTablet • 250mg • 60 count$64.20

I think there might be a shipping charge of five dollars or so. I have not used this site but one of my friends has used it for another medicine unrelated to PC. I believe she found it less expensive than our Medicare part D plan.

I hope this helps.

[Wings-of-Eagles]

Gearhead,

I think you have hit the nail on the head. My cost for generaicA.A was also also about $236 a month, through Medicare part D, (Optum pharmacy) but also I have a seprate UHC RX plan. In any case thinking of doing what you and others have found to be more economical. By the way, my oncologist recently approved me to go to two pills a day instead of four. (After being on Zytiga 8 & 3/4 years, undetectable for 8 &1/2 years.) Keep on keeping on

[Hidden]

Airaterone Acetate is Tier 2 in most Part D policies, Tier 1 in a few.

[Gearhead in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I didn't know that. Seems odd (and perhaps suspicious) that one Part D provider classifies abiraterone Tier 4 while others classify it as Tier 1 or 2.

[Concerned-wife in reply to Gearhead]

In the Fall go to Medicare.gov, input all your drugs. And see which plan is best for overall annual cost. You can changed drug plans annually. We did this for Abi and my husband had to change plans but it was worth it. (But my husband was on other drugs, too. ) When he was first diagnosed, we did use GoodRx and greatly appreciated the price.

[Spyder54]

No catches. It is what I have done for 2 years. Good Rx is the real deal. My latest best price is $140 for 120 -250mg at Publix Grocery Rx in the Tampa area. Mike

[Z06505hp in reply to Spyder54]

Hello everyone. I recently became castrate resistant and moved on from Abiraterone. Three days after being advised, I received a refill from CVS Specialy Pharmacy. The bottle contains 120 tablets. They are still sealed in the box I received them in. If anyone would like, I can ship them to you. I live in Texas and being treated at MD Anderson in Houston. Just trying to help my fellow warriors. Every little bit counts, I belive.

[SESDDS]

Gearhead, I too have AARP United Healthcare Walgreen's Part D insurance.  I just received 120x250mg abi. My cost is $78. I get mine thru Kroger Specialty Pharmacy.

[dhccpa]

I have the same plan. Not on AA yet, but am monitoring options. Haven't checked scriptco.com, but will do so.

[Hidden]

Not bragging here, but Kaiser charges me $3 for a 30 day. Its Tier 1 preferred generic.

[RayF in reply to Hidden]

Nice. A few years ago I was paying $286/ month through Kaiser. I have UH AA Walgreen, but get it through the Duke Specialty pharmacy for $100/month.

[Gearhead]

UPDATE: Based heavily on responses to my original post, I went ahead and registered with Mark Cuban Cost plus, asked my oncologist's nurse to send my abiraterone prescription to Cost Plus, placed my order, and received my order in one day. For one month's supply (120 x 250 mg), my cost was $125.40 plus $15 for optional expedited shipping, for a total of $ $140.40. That's a savings of $333 per month relative to my United Healthcare Part D insurance. Why didn't I do this sooner?

[Scout4answers]

IDK not taking it, probably not unless there is a generic version