Wal-Mart Experiment Paid Off

[Bruzilla]

My wife has issues with cholesterol and high blood pressure for years, and was taking four presciption drugs that had an out-of-pocket cost of about $175 every month. Three months ago my wife was complaigning about the cost to me, and I told her to get the list of generics that Wal Mart has on it's $4 deal, take it to her doctor, and tell him instead of these super-fancy new brand name drugs that she wants a good, effective, generic off the list.

She took me up on my suggestion, went to her doctor, and he wrote her scripts for four of the drugs on the list. New out-of-pocket cost: $16. Three months later her cholesterol issues are gone and she's now down to just two blood pressure drugs, one she gets on a 30-day script and one on a 90-day. New monthly cost - $7. So after taking all these fancy drugs for two years, and paying $175/a month with little sign of improvement, she's now much improved and paying $7 a month. Maybe it was the drug costs that were keeping her blood pressure up.

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Bruzilla

My wife has issues with cholesterol and high blood pressure for years, and was taking four presciption drugs that had an out-of-pocket cost of about $175 every month. Three months ago my wife was complaigning about the cost to me, and I told her to get the list of generics that Wal Mart has on it's $4 deal, take it to her doctor, and tell him instead of these super-fancy new brand name drugs that she wants a good, effective, generic off the list.

She took me up on my suggestion, went to her doctor, and he wrote her scripts for four of the drugs on the list. New out-of-pocket cost: $16. Three months later her cholesterol issues are gone and she's now down to just two blood pressure drugs, one she gets on a 30-day script and one on a 90-day. New monthly cost - $7. So after taking all these fancy drugs for two years, and paying $175/a month with little sign of improvement, she's now much improved and paying $7 a month. Maybe it was the drug costs that were keeping her blood pressure up.

Good news! Glad to hear it!

[MMDad]

Big kudo's to Wal-Mart for the drug prices. Target is following suit, and we get better service there at the same price.

But Wal-Mart does deserve all the credit because they are leading the way. They are doing more to make everyday health care affordable than any politcian has.

[Chasey_Lane (Premo)]

Same with me! For years I spent money on allergy and BC pills. Even w/my insurance I was paying $30 for BC and $50 a month for allergy. I switched to generic BC and OTC Wal-Mart brand allergy meds (which work BETTER than the name brands EVER did). My monthly cost is now $14.

[terbear1225]

anyone know if there's a generic scrip for pink eye? cost's $40 each time my daughter gets it and she's had 5 cases already this year!

[LexiGirl75 (Premo)]

Bruzilla, I'm glad your wife is doing so much better.

I am a little confused. Is it that the brand names cost so much that insurance only pays a portion or is it that insurance doesnt pay at all? Is the new (very) low price the prescription (co-pay? Can't think of the terminology)?

My Rx insurance has to be done online for ongoing/monthly meds so I may never get to see this but it's definitely good news.

[sportspartier]

Originally Posted by Bruzilla

My wife has issues with cholesterol and high blood pressure for years, and was taking four presciption drugs that had an out-of-pocket cost of about $175 every month. Three months ago my wife was complaigning about the cost to me, and I told her to get the list of generics that Wal Mart has on it's $4 deal, take it to her doctor, and tell him instead of these super-fancy new brand name drugs that she wants a good, effective, generic off the list.

She took me up on my suggestion, went to her doctor, and he wrote her scripts for four of the drugs on the list. New out-of-pocket cost: $16. Three months later her cholesterol issues are gone and she's now down to just two blood pressure drugs, one she gets on a 30-day script and one on a 90-day. New monthly cost - $7. So after taking all these fancy drugs for two years, and paying $175/a month with little sign of improvement, she's now much improved and paying $7 a month. Maybe it was the drug costs that were keeping her blood pressure up.

awesome!!

[MMDad]

Originally Posted by LexiGirl75

Bruzilla, I'm glad your wife is doing so much better.

I am a little confused. Is it that the brand names cost so much that insurance only pays a portion or is it that insurance doesnt pay at all? Is the new (very) low price the prescription (co-pay? Can't think of the terminology)?

My Rx insurance has to be done online for ongoing/monthly meds so I may never get to see this but it's definitely good news.

You can go to Walmart.com: Save money. Live better. or Welcome to Target and click on "Pharmacy" for an explanation and list of drugs.

I use my mail order benefit for those that aren't covered, and I use the Target pharmacy for my $4/month meds.

If you have insurance, and your co-pay for a covered med is more than $4, they will only charge you $4.

[Larry Gude (Premo)]

Originally Posted by MMDad

Big kudo's to Wal-Mart for the drug prices. Target is following suit, and we get better service there at the same price.

But Wal-Mart does deserve all the credit because they are leading the way. They are doing more to make everyday health care affordable than any politcian has.

...if WalMart has nay plans to move into generic oil and gasoline, too?

[MMDad]

Originally Posted by Chasey_Lane

I switched to generic BC and OTC Wal-Mart brand allergy meds (which work BETTER than the name brands EVER did). My monthly cost is now $14.

The Wal-Mart brand allergy meds price is being dropped to $4 now also. Saves me a few more $.