Three years ago when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes the type of insulin my Dr prescribed was costing me a copay of $40/month and my coverage never hit the "gap". Last year I was told in November that I had reached the gap and had to pay over $80/month til the end of the year unless my total out of pocket prescription costs went over $4,700. This year I hit the gap in September due to the increase in price of the insulin and now I have to pay over $100/month thru December. It seems that finally some generic companies will be able to manufacture and sell this form of insulin soon so the big companies are raking in the profits while they can. In three years the insulin has gone up over 400%. Nobody else makes it and people on insulin don't have any other options.

Some people in border states have been getting their insulin from Canada but the FDA is claiming that since the product is temperature sensitive getting it from Canada may be dangerous.

Ain't life grand.

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Bob DeWoody

My motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow as it may not be required. This no longer applies in light of current events.

Nothing new here.....
Big Pharma has always gouged when and where they are allowed to.
Things that cost a dime are charged a million.
And they excuse it by saying they are diffusing their development costs.
I call bullshit.
The are the most profitable companies on the planet, as people need medicine and they are all too ready and willing to rape them for it.

There is no such thing as doing the right thing in their books.
Gouge as gouge can........they do it because they know that insurance pockets are deep, and they can dig in to them as much as they want as long as they can say they have a 'cure'..
Nothing about helping humanity there. It is all about profit.

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

Three years ago when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes the type of insulin my Dr prescribed was costing me a copay of $40/month and my coverage never hit the "gap". Last year I was told in November that I had reached the gap and had to pay over $80/month til the end of the year unless my total out of pocket prescription costs went over $4,700. This year I hit the gap in September due to the increase in price of the insulin and now I have to pay over $100/month thru December. It seems that finally some generic companies will be able to manufacture and sell this form of insulin soon so the big companies are raking in the profits while they can. In three years the insulin has gone up over 400%. Nobody else makes it and people on insulin don't have any other options.

Some people in border states have been getting their insulin from Canada but the FDA is claiming that since the product is temperature sensitive getting it from Canada may be dangerous.

Ain't life grand.

Because Canada has socialised medicine they are able to bargain lower drug prices with the pharmaceutical companies. However, I have noticed that there are still some big difference between drug prices in the UK and Canada that I understand are due to the patent laws. For example I have to pay as much as $30 for a pack of anti-allergy pills, but I just bought a load here in London for 2 pounds. (about $4 with the terrible exchange rate). I am wondering how much I can pack in my suitcase because I draw the attention of the customs agents.

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Reality Internet Personality

Nothing new here.....
Big Pharma has always gouged when and where they are allowed to.
Things that cost a dime are charged a million.
And they excuse it by saying they are diffusing their development costs.
I call bullshit.
The are the most profitable companies on the planet, as people need medicine and they are all too ready and willing to rape them for it.

There is no such thing as doing the right thing in their books.
Gouge as gouge can........they do it because they know that insurance pockets are deep, and they can dig in to them as much as they want as long as they can say they have a 'cure'..
Nothing about helping humanity there. It is all about profit.

Welcome to capitalism. Everything is worth whatever its purchaser is willing to pay for it.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation, Bob.

I just wish Walgreens delivered. ;~) Seriously, it's too bad pharmacies don't do home delivery anymore. We used to have one when I was little, called Jones' Apothecary, and I always thought it was so cool they delivered my medicine with a lollipop, no less! Plus, they dropped off calendars in December! Ah, the good old days...

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The mind is a weird and mysterious place

I am wondering how much I can pack in my suitcase because I draw the attention of the customs agents.

Anyone can import a 90 day supply of approved drugs into CANADA without customs worries.
But who's to say what a 90 day supply is?
If you have a high tolerance, and severe allergies, a 90 day supply could be a lot.

Thank you, good to know.

It must be nice to go back and visit friends and family that you haven't seen for a while.
Teachers do have it pretty good.

There are definitely benefits to being a teacher, but before you get too jealous, bear in mind that this is the first time I've made it back in six years, I am stuck paying peak fares as that is the only time I can travel which meant that I couldn't afford to bring my husband and I travelled what could only be called cattle class! I am not looking forward to the return flight.

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Reality Internet Personality

Two words, Humana Pharmacy. DO NOT use them. I have been with Humana since I became eligible for Medicare Advantage. I used to fill my 4 maintenance Rx's locally but got seduced by Humana's Pharmacy plan(which used to be called RightSource). By odering a 90 day supply of my 4 Rx the cost was $0. This worked out fine until August 10th.

I ordered my refills and the order was cancelled a week later by Humana who said they never received the scripts from my Doc. I was standing next to my Dr when he electronically sent the scripts and I saw the acknowledgement of receipt on his tablet. I talked to a customer service rep who acknowledged the receipt and said she would take care of it. Another order was generated and promptly cancelled again 3 days later.

A long story short, 7 phone calls in 3 weeks with 5 orders being cancelled I escalated up the chain to the highest supervisor I could reach. After explaining the situation and the fact that I had taken the last of my blood pressure and diabetic meds she stepped in and the order was finally shipped today(overnight at their expense). I had to fill the two meds I was out of at a local Pharmacy, when I went to pick up the interim meds I was out of, the Pharmacist informed me the cost of the 30 day supply of the blood pressure med would be $55. By way of explanation Humana had refused to approve the Rx as too soon, they had just filled the Rx. I paid the ransom and got the meds.

When this supply runs out I am going to go back to local fulfillment even though it will cost me $50 out of pocket every 90 days. Paying something and actually getting the meds is better than free and having the order cancelled due to incompetence. I will be switching Advantage plans in November.

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"Sour Grapes make a bitter Whine." <(0)>

When this supply runs out I am going to go back to local fulfillment even though it will cost me $50 out of pocket every 90 days. Paying something and actually getting the meds is better than free and having the order cancelled due to incompetence. I will be switching Advantage plans in November.

May I suggest that you wander by a Costco Pharmacy and inquire on their prices.

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Price gouging?
To me it sounds more like priorites.
http://www.ted.com/talks/seth_berkley_the_troubling_reason_why_vaccines_are_made_too_late_if_they_re_made_at_all?utm_content=buffer841a7&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

try searching goodrx coupon for the type of insulin you use.

http://www.goodrx.com (your brand)
will get you a coupon this is for cash purchase only and verys by drug
but the tetracycline that use to cost 6 buck but is now 1380 buck a month
costs 10.80 cash as you can see i like paying 1\35 even if it is not covered.

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most drug company have some plan if you go to their web sight to help you get your meds if you are truly financially stressed by their definition.
so definitely check their website,but there is no substitute for shopping
your med needs around to get the best price. the dependence on insurance to
companies to manage the cost that they get a piece of is how we got here.
shopping and forcing them to take less is the only real fix.

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May I suggest that you wander by a Costco Pharmacy and inquire on their prices.

I have a pricing comparison site that compares up to 5 pharmacies showing both covered and non-covered Rx. So far King Sooper(Kroger) is the best on both levels.
I'm sure Humana/Cigna get a volume discount from the mfg hence being able to dispense for $0 cost on tier 1 by mail order. They simply absorb the cost in the $700 a month they get from Medicare for each Advantage member. And that's another racket.

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"Sour Grapes make a bitter Whine." <(0)>

My GF is diabetic.
She use flexpens with Levemir and Novorapid.
I checked the prizes in the US.
Well It's a heck of lot of money to pay.
Here we don't have to pay for medicins that are essential to survive.

When it comes to medicare the US sucks!

The fact remains that the big pharms gouge the US market for all it is worth.
They know that the percentage of people in the US with health insurance is higher than in Canada, so they charge what they will.
And the freaking insurance companies, having no oversight on costs whatsoever, just pay the bill.

And, regardless of the lies told when launching Obummercare, there has been no reigning in of those costs.
Obama just pandered to the highest bidder, and it has done nothing to stop the escalation of medical costs here in the states. Nothing.
All it has done is smoothed out the money laundering.

Big pharma, big insurance, big health care premiums.
And real big BS coming from Washington.

If the day ever comes when the perks for politicians stop dead in their tracks and they have to fend for themselves in the health care madness that they have mired the rest of us in, they are going to be in for a shock.

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

If the day ever comes when the perks for politicians stop dead in their tracks

Amendment, limit of 1 term in each office, no pension, salary = Avg US wage + audited costs, cannot be a lawyer.

What a Wonderful World it Would Be....

(Tongue planted firmly in cheek)

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"Sour Grapes make a bitter Whine." <(0)>

Amendment, limit of 1 term in each office, no pension, salary = Avg US wage + audited costs, cannot be a lawyer.

I want my politicians to be much better than average people and should be paid much better than average.
You get what you pay for if your lucky, if you don't pay for it you will get nothing.

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Amendment, limit of 1 term in each office, no pension, salary = Avg US wage + audited costs, cannot be a lawyer.

I want my politicians to be much better than average people and should be paid much better than average.
You get what you pay for if your lucky, if you don't pay for it you will get nothing.

Legislatures should only be in session 3 days a year. One day for opening ceremonies, one day for closing ceremonies, and one day for business.
</pipe dream>

Three years ago when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes the type of insulin my Dr prescribed was costing me a copay of $40/month and my coverage never hit the "gap". Last year I was told in November that I had reached the gap and had to pay over $80/month til the end of the year unless my total out of pocket prescription costs went over $4,700. This year I hit the gap in September due to the increase in price of the insulin and now I have to pay over $100/month thru December. It seems that finally some generic companies will be able to manufacture and sell this form of insulin soon so the big companies are raking in the profits while they can. In three years the insulin has gone up over 400%. Nobody else makes it and people on insulin don't have any other options.

Some people in border states have been getting their insulin from Canada but the FDA is claiming that since the product is temperature sensitive getting it from Canada may be dangerous.

Ain't life grand.

as D2 is reversible, u could also learn WHAT 2 EAT & WHEN...so u wouldn't need insulin!
just a thought?!
ask more some nutritionist...
;)

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non-profit org. Play4Life in Zagreb, Croatia, EU

as D2 is reversible, u could also learn WHAT 2 EAT & WHEN...so u wouldn't need insulin!
just a thought?!
ask more some nutritionist...
;)

Be very careful when you make a blanket statement like that.
Not all medical conditions are the same for all individuals.

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"Freedom is just Chaos, with better lighting." Alan Dean Foster

Those of us with Type II and actively treating it are well aware of the benefits of exercise and diet. However in older folks or those with disabilities (such as my bum leg) prevents exercise at the levels needed to affect the condition.

Thanks Mark, your post was quicker than mine.

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"Sour Grapes make a bitter Whine." <(0)>