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Are there any tips to saving $$ on special formulas?

heyitsmeheyitsme member
in Food Allergy

DS is on Alimentum (just started). I did buy 2 cans last week when Target had them on sale, but then discovered Amazon's bulk pack (6 cans for $140) was cheaper. It was delivered today. Our ped's office had given us a case of 6 8-oz RTF cans to start out with to try it, but 3 of the cans were dented badly and that was the last case we had. At our last appt. they gave us Nutramigen to try, but we've had such a miserable time switching formulas in the last few weeks that I want to stick with what we know works--I don't want to try the Nutramigen.

I called Similac yesterday and they signed me up for checks, so hopefully they come soon. I see Alimentum on eBay and even our Craigslist and it's pretty cheap, but then it makes me wonder WHY? 

We make too much for WIC. The cost of Alimentum isn't breaking us, but it's making us just break even between daycare, formula, and other misc. expenses. 

Mom to J (10), L (4), and baby #3 arriving in July of 2015
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Re: Are there any tips to saving $$ on special formulas?

  • abs05abs05 member
    Sometimes insuarance will cover part of the cost. We had to call several times but it paid off. We only pay 40 dollars for a 30 day supply.
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  • heyitsmeheyitsme member

    imageabs1978:
    Sometimes insuarance will cover part of the cost. We had to call several times but it paid off. We only pay 40 dollars for a 30 day supply.

    How does that work, if I may ask? Does insurance reimburse you (like you submit receipts?)? Or do you pick it up at the pharmacy and just pay as a copay?

    TIA!

    Mom to J (10), L (4), and baby #3 arriving in July of 2015
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  • g_belleg_belle
    I would look into craigslist and ebay.  We got a few cans of ellecare from our nutritionist and we ended up only needing it for a short while.  And I had 2 unopened cans left.  I found someone to give it to- but my next step was going to be listing it on craigslist.  there was no way I was going to throw the stuff away.  The listing could be someone in a similar situation.
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  • abs05abs05 member
    imageheyitsme:

    imageabs1978:
    Sometimes insuarance will cover part of the cost. We had to call several times but it paid off. We only pay 40 dollars for a 30 day supply.

    How does that work, if I may ask? Does insurance reimburse you (like you submit receipts?)? Or do you pick it up at the pharmacy and just pay as a copay?

    TIA!

    Our pedi had to fill out a form and the faxed it to our ins. company. From there we contacted Medco and they send it to our house once a month along with a bill. There was a lot of steps/red tape but totally worth it. We use alimentum RTF.
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  • cotnercotner

    I second Craigslist and ebay.  I got all of DSs Nutramigen off Craigslist or ebay for 9 months.  I would check the store price and set my highest bid to be worth the shipping.  I usually got it at 70% the store price.  Also, check with your pedi (and have friends/family check with theirs) to see if they have coupons. 

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  • BC&MMBC&MM
    imagecotner:

    I second Craigslist and ebay.  I got all of DSs Nutramigen off Craigslist or ebay for 9 months.  I would check the store price and set my highest bid to be worth the shipping.  I usually got it at 70% the store price.  Also, check with your pedi (and have friends/family check with theirs) to see if they have coupons. 

    This. My son was going through a can in two dasy. I have bought most cans from people for about $12/can.

    DS has acid relux and milk protein allergy, and had torticollis, used to EP, now we FF . April siggy 3-6 month
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    Born 7lb, 15oz, 21-1/4, 2 mo - 12lbs, 14oz. 25", 3mo - 14lb, 4oz 26in , 4 mo - 16lb, 1oz, 26 3/4 in, 5 mo 18 lb, 4oz 27-3/4 in, 6 mo 28 3/4 in 19lb, 14oz
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  • nmc29nmc29

    Check your insurance.  DS's is covered.  We had to have a prescription for it and sent it to Apria Healthcare and they took care of the rest.  It's delivered to my door once a month.

     

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  • magdusiamagdusia member

    My friend asked for her insurance to pay for it and they declined. She wrote them a letter and it got approved. 100% of the alimentum formula for 1 year.  And she had reflux. No allergy.  I feel like an allergy is so much more serious.

    You can pretty much tell them that you cannot effort it and mixing it with regular formula may put her in the hospital and that is a much greater expense for the insurance.  (she pretty much was taking her daughter to the doctor all the time and she broke down the payments for the doctor and how much she would save the insurance by just putting her on alimentum). (what killed me was that she had enough money for special formula and she breast fed for a bit and stopped b/c she didn't like it but was full of milk.. so she could have easily breastfed and the baby was fine.. )

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  • Wendy1210Wendy1210
    Even though you are signed up for the Similac program you can always call them and ask for extra coupons or email them and request more coupons. Also have your parents and friends sign up and email then give the coupons to you. Also, ask your allergist or ped if they have samples.
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  • M&M227M&M227

    Check your insurance as PP suggested.  I called mine the other day and they told me it would be covered, my Dr. just has to call in an authorization to the prescription plan, then I can go to the pharmacy and get a month supply up to 24 cans for my co pay.

    I have to say I'm in New Jersey and it seems to be easier here.  I found a New Jersey mandate that says that insurance must cover special formula in certain situations - basically if dr. says and you've tried two other formulas with no results.  I don't think it's this easy in every state.  I know some people in Pennsylvania who have had to appeal their insurances decision several times.

    I'm still waiting for the dr. to call and do the authorization (just spoke to them about it today) so I'm hoping that it really is as easy as it sounds.

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  • LSU628LSU628 member
    You can also sign up for Amazon mom, then have the formula delivered on  a monthly schedule. I do this with DD"s diapers and save over 30% off each month. An added bonus is you get the Amazon prime shopping for signing up for Amazon mom. Love it!
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  • MaliaMouseMaliaMouse member

    100 % agree with everyone who said ebay, LO was on nutramigen the first year of his life and we probably saved thousands over that time by getting all his formula on ebay.

     

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