Pharmacies and med cost

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone, Thought I would pass along what just happened to me. I

have been fighting a nasty sinus infection for a few months now.

Went to see my dr. yesterday and he prescribed the same antibiotic

as I took the last time. Went to my usual pharmacy to have it

filled (Walgreens). I am on Medi Part D, but have assigned my

coverage over to a HMO. They said it was to soon to refill the

presciption and that I would have to wait until the 23rd of this

month for them to cover it. Walgreen's called my HMO and was told

that a prior authorization was needed from the Dr. I Called my Dr.

and ask them to fax authorization to my HMO. Here's where it gets

good. My Dr. told me to go to a small in town pharmacy and that the

drug would cost no more than $7.00 out of pocket. He wanted me to

start immediately, said it would take several days for the

authorization. I asked Walgreens what the cost would be. They told

me $76.00. I could not believe it $76.00 for the same drug I could

get at the small town pharmacy for $7.00. Well quess where I went.

Sure enough it was only $7.00. Same generic drug, same drug mfg.

Go figure. Well many of you are wondering why I am writing this.

Here's where it matters,. Those of us on Medi Part D have a certain

amount of drug coverage around $2500.00 ceiling than we have to

spend out of pocket around $1400.00 until we reach the castrophic

area, then we are covered again. Well if Walgreen's charges my

HMO/Medi Part D. $76.00, than that must mean I am reaching my

ceiling much faster than if I had my meds filled at the small town

pharmacy. At first I though what does it matter, I'm covered and my

HMO pays for the drugs and I pay a very small co-pay. Altough all

of the meds I take are on the formulary and I pay a very small co-

pay I could reach my ceiling very quickly if I stayed at Walgreen's

I compared the cost of several meds I take and the small town

pharmacy was less expensive on every one. Oh, by the way I got a

discount at the small town pharmacy because I am a senior and 2nd.

because I am disabled. And to top it off they offer free delivery.

WOW, I didn't get a discount at Walgreen's nor do they deliver. You

guessed it...The small town pharmacy now has all of my business. I

hope my little adventure will be of help. Take

Care all,