Vent: Prescription Drug Coverage

CandEChicago · May 2014

I will start by saying I know I am lucky to have prescription drug coverage. However, I was just on the phone for the last hour with CVS/Caremark trying to figure out if my prenatals are covered. They did not understand the differences between the types of prenatals offered (DHA, 90 DHA, Assure) so they kept switching those names around interchangably on me. Thankfully after consulting with a pharmacists we got that sorted out.

Meanwhile, I have to change my pharmacy to a less convenient location. I have loved filling my prescriptions at the Walgreens that is literally at the corner. Perfect for when I go to the gym or when DH and I walk to dog. But under this new prescription plan they limit "maintenance meds" to being filled in 90 day batches only at CVS. So of course the nearest CVS is over a half mile away which not only requires me to pass another 4-5 pharmacies to get there and but it is in one of the most obnoxious traffic areas in Chicago.

Presently I am being told that I can fill my prenatals at my Walgreens -- which I highly doubt they gave me accurate information since they have asked me to switch everything else over to CVS. For the prenatal prescription alone, the annual cost to refill at CVS is $245 meanwhile the average cost for another retailers (Walgreens, Walmart, etc) is $300. Really?!?

Just annoyed I have to start moving all my meds to a less convenient pharmacy. Thanks for listening. DH would just tell me to suck it up and I shouldn't mind getting the extra exercise by walking the additional distance.

nbateman5 · May 2014

yep, my OB told me the OTC ones are just fine. Got mine from Costco! I used to have Caremark, and loved doing the mail prescirptions, do you have that option? Just go online, click order, pay and they come in a few days!

AllTheTeaInChina · May 2014

If your rx coverage is thru cvs/Caremark it makes sense that you'll get a better deal filling with cvs pharmacy.

Most pharmacies will mail prescriptions. Just make sure you request refills a week or so early and have them mailed to you.

CandEChicago · May 2014

@nbateman5

@AllTheTeaInChina

Mail order is not an option for me. CVS/Caremark have both messed up prescriptions for me a couple of years ago. For the Caremark mail order, I had doctors fill out their mail order prescription forms and sent them back to caremark in the provided envelope. Caremark lost the prescriptions, blamed me, and did not show concern about care and protection about my medical information even after I brought up the issue.

I am very uneasy using them again, but DH's employer switched over to using them this year. I prefer to keep to using a store since then I have a name & face to go directly to if something is messed up.

AllTheTeaInChina · May 2014

@c&echicago
I wasn't talking about mail order but the local cvs mailing you the prescriptions. I worked in a retail pharmacy for many years and we mailed out prescriptions to lots of patients.

I've never used it but have heard many bad stories about mail order.

drpayne · May 2014

Maybe my perspective is different because I'm a doctor but I have to agree with your husband

At least there is an OTC option. There a people out there who really struggle to get meds they need to live with no option for a cheaper alternative. And half a mile away is far to you? You certainly have a right to whine about it but I'm going to tell you to be thankful that's your biggest complaint for the day.

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Vent: Prescription Drug Coverage

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