tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684250999334358862.post3484541410784542317..comments2023-12-19T00:39:30.338-08:00Comments on Crazy RxMan: What is a PBM?Crazy RxManhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07077488214299929481noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3684250999334358862.post-31572250010930489282018-06-05T14:07:21.042-07:002018-06-05T14:07:21.042-07:00Join CostCo. Or at least, check their cash-only pr...Join CostCo. Or at least, check their cash-only price, on your generic, and remember you don't have to be a member to use their pharmacy. Downside: Costco pharmacy is one of the worst customer experiences you'll have in person. Mail order is excellent, once set up.<br /><br />But. It's an independent check on prices. Costco generally doesn't play well with the PBM as a mail order pharmacy (that is, the PBM won't let them file insurance), but compared to the PBM pharmacy, Costco may be 3-10 time cheaper even without insurance. Real example: my PBM wants me to use their mailorder, or local pharmacy, for a common generic; their price is $40/month, $480/yr. Same generic filled locally at Costco is $9/month with the tier 3 PBM payment, or $14/month via Costco mail order (and no hassle with getting to store, etc). <br /><br />Also consider the straight one-price generics vs your co-pay. I routinely refused to file insurance when doing so raised my cost. EG, $4 generic for cash, but file insurance and suddenly it's way more. This drove in-store pharmacies nuts (staff just didn't get it- essentially had to say "no insurance" to avoid the incessant arguments).<br /><br />Some PBMs offer literally free Rxs to members. Take those; price shop everything else. You may save hundreds to thousands by simply doing a little homework. I did, still do.<br /><br />The PBM racket means you have to work a bit. If it takes 4 hours to compare the $4 lists and look up your cash price at a place like Costco, and you save $800-1000 a year out of pocket simply by having your doc send scrips to 2 places, you just made $200+ an hour.<br /><br />You won't drive the local pharmacist nuts, either- because you'll know what the pricing is, and either you'll be happy or you'll go elsewhere. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com