Do you get your medicines in the mail or pick them up from the pharmacy in your neighborhood? Would you save money by using mail order? One reader found that a relationship with a local pharmacist was invaluable.
Do You Know Your Local Pharmacist?
Q. My Medicare Advantage Plan is always trying to get me to have my medicines mailed because it is cheaper. Instead, though, I get my prescriptions filled locally where I know my pharmacist.
One time, a doctor prescribed me a new drug. Since I was in a hurry, I stopped at the nearest pharmacy. However, when they quoted the price, I said, “Oh no!”
I drove a few blocks further and went to my usual pharmacist. When he looked at the prescription, he told me my insurance would not cover it. However, they would cover an alternative and he named it. Then he advised me to call the doctor to see if that would work as a substitute.
I did and she prescribed it. I am still using this medicine which is working well. That’s the reason I refuse to buy my medicines through the mail. The slight extra cost is well worth it.
A Local Pharmacist Can Watch Out for You:
A. Having a vigilant local pharmacist who is watching out for potential drug interactions as well as what your insurance will and won’t cover is invaluable. Finding an affordable alternate medication can sometimes be challenging.
If there is no substitute, there are a couple of options. Consumer Reports mentions that Costco has good prices at their pharmacies, which you can use without becoming a member. They also suggest checking GoodRx.com to learn the drug’s fair price. Coupons found there can sometimes save you quite a bit. There’s a downside, though. GoodRx.com has shared patients’ personal data with social media companies like Google and Facebook.
Learn More:
To learn more about these and other cost-saving strategies, you may be interested in our eGuide to Saving Money on Medicines.
Other Problems With Mail Order Pharmacies:
There are a couple of additional drawbacks to mail order medicines. One is that communicating with the pharmacist at the mail order company can be frustrating at times.
The other has to do with shipping conditions. Medicines that sit in your mailbox for hours may freeze when the weather is cold or become far too hot in the summer time. These problems may be worse when postal service becomes overwhelmed and grinds nearly to a halt.
