Paying less for some drugs

[Cantabrigian51]

I went to Walgreens the other day to pick up lidocaine 5% ointment, which I use for the peripheral neuropathy in my feet. I had switched my Part D plan in January and my new plan wanted $168 for a 1 oz tube.

I asked them to hold it for me and called the insurer. They confirmed the price, telling me it was a Tier 4 drug. When I asked what that meant I was told “an expensive drug.” I thanked them for their time.

I then searched for a way to get the drug for less. There are several sites you can try: Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus, Good Rx, and singlecare. I’m sure there are others. I used singlecare, printed out a coupon, brought it to Walgreens and paid $25.

While this makes absolutely no sense to me, it pays to see if your drugs might cost less using one of these websites.

[Still_in_shock]

I hear you, wife gets hers at Costco Lidocaine 35g 5%. GoodRX coupon $16.99

[Gearhead]

I pay for AARP United HealthCare Walgreens Part D. But I buy my abiraterone from Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs because it is way cheaper than my UHC copay. At least it was in 2023. I can't get a consistent answer from UHC re 2024 price. Using their web site, it looks like my UHC copay is about the same as my Mark Cuban price (about $100/mo). But they won't confirm that price by phone or email. Telephone calls get confusing because they say (generic) abiraterone is a specialty drug, which I have to get by mail from Optum (which UHC owns) and not from Walgreens (which I did in early 2023 for $450/mo copay), and I will see my copay when my Dr. transfers my prescription to Optum and I place my order.

[dhccpa]

Yep. I do a search every refill. GoodRx and Singlecare are what I've used this far, but there are a number of others.

[Mrkharn]

I use GoodRx, for some common meds, as Part D cost considerably more, in Florida. Previously, in N. Virginia, Part D was the way to go. Only downside is GoodRx payments not included in deductible.

[j-o-h-n]

Just grab it off the shelf like your one of the "flash mobs"...

Good Luck, Good Health and Good Humor.

j-o-h-n

[mrscruffy]

$13 on Amazon