Prescriptions?

Where to get

Hi y’all.

I saved this one for when I would be traveling, just to give you something to think about.

So let’s talk prescription medications and how to get them if prescribed.

There are many options to fill prescriptions even if your health insurer tries to steer you in their favorite direction. FYI- their steering isn’t always for your benefit. Most likely they are either saving money or making some $$ on your prescription refills.

So read on.

Options to fill prescriptions:

1- Big Chain pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aide in New Jersey.

These pharmacies have the largest stores at the most convenient locations. I think they make their $$ selling other convenience products more than pharmaceuticals, but I digress. When it comes to service, the Big Chains are akin to a McDonalds burger as opposed to a 16oz prime grass-fed organic ribeye you can get a premiere steakhouse. There are always exceptions but please remember that the employees of the Big Chains are still people and are following the rules laid down by their employer. They have very little wiggle room. So don’t get mad or upset at them. But also remember you should have alternatives to using the Big Chain pharmacies.

2- Local Mom and Pop pharmacies.

These are independently owned small businesses. I prefer using a Mom and Pop pharmacy as the pharmacist is usually the owner and each customer is important as opposed to Big Chain pharmacies where everyone is an employee of the Big Corporation and you are usually just a cog to keep the big machine rolling along. There are many Mom and Pop pharmacies in our area. If you send me a Spruce message I can give you some names to check out.

3- Mail order pharmacies: Express Scripts, Optum, Caremark, Humana, Caremark, Benecard to name a few.

If you think these huge organizations evolved to save you money, then I have a bridge to sell you. But even though you will own the bridge, I will still run the Easy Pass toll system and still make $. This is kind of how these big mail order pharmacies and insurers operate. Mail order pharmacies contract with health insurers and believe me, they both make mucho with hidden contracts to guarantee their profits.

4- Canada pharmacies

I am not sure of the legality of using these pharmacies but I do know people who use them. Do your own homework on this option.

5- Discount coupon vendors

GoodRx is one and they may lower your price more than what you can get from your insurance prescription formularies. Often you can get medications cheaper using GoodRX without the need to go thru the insurance formulary stall tactics, umm, I mean precertification department to get your prescription allowed. Since I mentioned prescription precert process, let me tell you, I think sometimes dealing with the IRS is a more pleasant experience.

I have a question though that I would like all my Common Sense Health and Wellness readers to use their critical thinking skills to answer.

Who funds GoodRx?

How do they make $$ by providing discounts on prescription medications when they are NOT charging you anything?

If a medication can be dispensed at a lower GoodRX price, why doesn’t the free market lower the price on its own?

Why is there such a price difference on a medication at the same pharmacy dependent upon whether you have a free discount coupon code or not?

I am not an economist, in fact I never took an economics or business class in college, so maybe I am missing something here?? If I am please tell me nicely in the comments section.

But the more I think about this the happier I am that I did not take any economics or business classes as I just try to use common sense logical thinking to make decisions that steer my present and future.

OK - tangent over.

So the long winded point I am trying to make here.

Always be a consumer and see where your best deal is. Surprisingly it may be cheaper getting prescriptions not using your health insurance.

But I have an even better method.

Work with me and the IMW to look for root causes of your health issues. Then when we help resolve the root cause, your need for prescription medication will decrease.

Who is healthier?

John with a diagnosis of hypertension, a Blood Pressure of 120/80 on two different prescriptions.

Or

Jane with a diagnosis of hypertension, a blood pressure of 120/80 who just stopped her medication as she fixed the root causes of her elevated blood pressure?

As always, comments and questions welcome.