By Trish Pearson
Insure Your Future
Trish Pearson
There has been considerable press about the new state endorsed prescription discount drug plan, ArrayRx. This plan is like other prescription discount programs, such as GoodRx and Single Care, that offer lower costs for both generic and name-brand drugs. However, it is not the answer to lowering the cost for expensive drugs like Ozempic, Jardiance, Farxiga and Xarelto. The card will not produce lower prices for all consumers in all cases, because it cannot be used with insurance to further lower prices. In some cases, the insurance negotiated price will be lower; in other cases, ArrayRx will offer a better price.
The program is aimed at three kinds of people. The first group is people on high-deductible health plans, which is the predominant number of people who have group or individual health insurance plans. The second group is those uninsured who will be able to fill generic medications at a greatly reduced cost. The third is Medicare recipients who use prescriptions not covered by their insurance drug formulary and can get some discount.
ArrayRx does add an additional option, but it also increases the number of programs to look at when researching drug costs. Additionally, it makes a difference which pharmacy you use. It may be that the preferred pharmacy for your insurance plan does not offer the lowest retail price for certain drugs, which matters when your cost is based on a percentage of the total price.
It pays to shop around, and you can do this from the kitchen table. Simply put in the name of the drug and search “cost compare with prescription Rx discount cards.” You will get a comparison of discounts available, which are always a percentage of the retail cost as well as which pharmacies offer the lowest retail price.
The other avenue to check out is special programs offered through the drug manufacturer. Your provider should have information on any programs that are sponsored by the drug company as well as the eligibility criteria. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask for help from your pharmacist as well.
Unfortunately, this is the time of year when many folks on a Medicare prescription drug plan land in the gap or “donut hole.” It is painful to pay 25 percent of the cost of an expensive medication.
There are things you can do to limit the shock to your wallet. First, make sure you only fill the prescription through Dec. 31. On Jan. 1, the total cost of medication bucket empties and you are back in the initial phase. Second, see if the provider can give you any samples to tide you over. The cost of certain drugs can fluctuate greatly from week to week, so compare for each prescription as you renew. People on limited incomes may be eligible for assistance through the state of Connecticut or through the drug manufacturer.
At the end of the day, remember: if the medication is improving your health, you are worth the price – even when it hurts your pocketbook.
Trish Pearson is a licensed independent insurance agent and certified long term care specialist. Contact her at 203-640-5969 or trishpearson281@gmail.com.