slaveship

Just an FYI. Anthem is removing several medications from their formulary. And, they don't tell you. Recently called for a refill prescription and was told they won't cover it any longer. The cash price to refill is $900. When I called ANTHEM they were very defensive and stated that they don't have to inform any of us. It's our problem and the medication is available but have to pay the full retail cost. If any of you or your family members are on medications for specific and serious conditions such as cardiovascular / diabetes / neuro conditions, get ready. My physician told me that she couldn't do anything about the decisions of the insurance company. Not sure if ALPA can help.

MacGuy2

You might take a look at Goodrx.com. I *think* they are a reputable operation. They pointed me at Healthwarehouse.com where generic Crestor is a whole lot cheaper than Express Scripts. Obviously it will depend on what your looking for. Good luck.

MG2

FDXer

Try the name brand and not the generic. My son's generic went from $10 to $290. I said I'm not paying that, what are the options. Pharmacist re-ran it as the name brand and it was only $10. He said there's some kind of funny business going on with generics and the insurance companies. I have Anthem insurance.

MaydayMark

I've been taking Crestor for years. Because there wasn't a generic I had to pay the Express Scripts "brand" price. About a year ago I learned there would soon be a generic available.

I called Express Scripts and asked what I needed to do to get the generic? They told me they would automatically send the generic unless the doctor specifically wrote the prescription for "brand only." Good deal, I could save a few buck. My doctors seems perfectly with the other generic drugs that I'm taking.

A few months ago my generic Crestor arrived in the mail. Same cost as the brand drug? I called Express Scripts and asked if there had been a mistake? After a brief investigation they said, "Nope, it looks like they are, in fact, the same price." I asked why I would want a generic when I could get the brand at the same price? They couldn't think of a reason either ...

With our new post ObamaCare benefits (CDHP Orange) it turns out that preventative medications are "no charge." Crestor is one of those meds. But ... one of my wife's meds went from $32/month ($96 for a 90 day supply) to almost $900/month!*?

Medications are free (OK they're not really free, I earned them) with my retired military medical TriCare benefits. The nearest military pharmacy is a 30 minute drive each way. It looks like we'll be making more frequent trips to see the military pharmacy folks.

MM

FlyBoyd

I use Express Scripts with TriCare. The nearest military pharmacy is 30+ minutes for me too. In fact, I get a mailing a month from TriCare reminding me that I have to use Express Scripts in some situations. Why not use Express Scripts?

TriCare is my primary medical (active duty retirement).

MaydayMark

.

Because I'm currently on Long Term Disability, Medicare Part A&B is my primary medical. I do not pay for Medicare Prescription benefits (Part D?).

My FedEx (Orange CDHP) is my secondary medical but only pays prescription benefits (Express Scripts) after the $4700 copay (per person) has been met. I'm not sure I'll ever have $4700 in secondary expenses?

TriCare pays as tertiary and, I'm told, will pay all costs after Medicare and Anthem have been billed (I'll believe it when I see it) ...

Accordingly, my TriCare Express Scripts prescription benefits will not pay because they insist that Anthem Express Scripts has already credited the amount to my deductible.

Short version ... it's easier just to take the prescription directly to a military pharmacy.

In other unrelated news ... 6 months after I applied for my Naval Reserve retirement pay DFAS still hasn't managed to send me a paycheck!*?


MM

HercDriver130

Its not just Anthem... BCBS is doing the same thing at my company (k4)... they are forcing people to the generics over the name brands actually... prime example is Epi Pens.. 750 for the name brand... 370 for the generic... 40 when insurance kicks in... but they won't buy the name brand anymore... more meds to come.