[ala119]

Yikes! Help! I have to call insurance to find out what's going on? Who the heck can afford that? I still have a $10 Target Rx gift card coupon but that doesn't offset the price! What other options do I have?

See post#25 for transaction and ?

[TigerGirl1226]

With my insurance only certain pharmacies are "in network". Also, some insurance companies don't cover "preventative" measures like birth control and vitamins, so you may need to review your coverage with them.

Hope you find a resolution.

If all else fails, ask your doctor if you can use a different type of pill. Or another possibility is checking out the Planned Parenthood in your area. When I was in college, they offered $10 per month pills.

[mandiedq]

I'd ask your doctor for the generic of that pill or to switch you to something that is more cost effective! Condoms did the trick for us!

[mrsbrehmer]

Also, if you have a Kroger you can get Ortho Cyclin or Ortho Tricyclin for $9 a month!!

[sunshinejanie]

go to planned parenthood. They usually have free family planning services.

[ala119]

Originally Posted by mrsbrehmer

Also, if you have a Kroger you can get Ortho Cyclin or Ortho Tricyclin for $9 a month!!

No Kroger here that's cheap!

[YouMe&3]

OH MY! I thought mine, at $40, was expensive!! I do feel your pain!

[linz152]

Holy moly that is high! I agree, either call your doc and ask to be switched to something else or (if you can't be switched for some reason) ask them for samples of it.

Also, I would call around to the pharmacies and check prices. We've discvored a huge difference on my prescriptions from pharmacy to pharmacy. One of my medications is $1.79/month where I fill it now (CVS). One pharmacy was charging me $19/month for it! It was also one of the ones at WM that qualified for the $4/month. Which, turns out, was actually over-paying for it.

Linz

[queenbear]

My ins. doesn't cover the cost of BC until you meet $250 oop then they pay 25%..Thank goodness for the durex coupon..

[mrsanderton2205]

call your dr most the time they have free samples i don't pay anything

[slpjlc]

I would try what every said. and family planning is great free pap smears and birth control.

[armympwife]

Definately planned parenthood or a cheaper/generic brand. there are some good options that are less than 10/month

[hghent]

Sprintec is the name of the generic that is $9! I get mine filled at Target! It is generic for ortho-cyclen.

Tell your OB/GYN that the pill he/she prescribed has a co-pay that is just too high. Usually, they can help you figure something out that won't break the bank. You can also do mail order prescriptions that usually only have you pay for a 2 month prescription, but get a 3 month filled. Just a thought!

Hope I helped!!

[desire499mike]

First call the pharmacy to see what brand (name brand or generic) is in your price range; they can also tell you what % that insurance is going to pay.
Next talk with your doctor about some samples; if he could give you a few for the year it will help you with your cost.
Also, if you can contact the maker of the medication sometimes they offer free medication depending on your financial situation.
Lastly, contact different pharmacies around your area--Costco(i've heard you don't have to be a member to use the pharmacy)Walmart, etc.

[jennjenn]

$52???? OMG ... that is insane! My insurance offers a mail order and I have my doctor write a script for a generic brand ... works just as good and I get 3 packs of pills for $5!!!!!!! I'd see if your insurance has a mail order program. Usually scripts are at least half the price through mail order and go generic!!!!!

[therbel]

Ever consider an IUD???? I got mine covered for the cost of a co-pay.... $20! It lasts for 5 years.... Thats .30 per month!

[ala119]

went to Target to get the 3-12pks of pop + Edy's ice cream for $3.99 and asked pharmacy about generics. I've been on Orthotricyclen-lo and there is no generic for that. But yes, there is the generic for regular Orthotricyclen for $9/mo. Last year I used our county's women's health program which was $15/pk, which I may resort to if I can't get something else. But I like the suggestions about requesting samples from the Dr. (hey, AFC did it me... getting as much as possible for the least amount OOP!) I love you AFC!

[rach]

OMG that is outrageous! My insurance covered $15 out of the $45 that it costed each month...so $30 a month...but yet men can go and get Viagra free of charge. I remeber when I was 17 and had an abortion....I paid next to nothing OOP because insurance covered almost it all....but not BC pills aren't considered essential.

On a side note my mother even had a doctors note saying that she needed BC pills for the iron I belive because of some female problem, can't remeber the name and they still wouldn't cover it...and she has awesome insurance.

[jennjenn]

Originally Posted by ala119

went to Target to get the 3-12pks of pop + Edy's ice cream for $3.99 and asked pharmacy about generics. I've been on Orthotricyclen-lo and there is no generic for that. But yes, there is the generic for regular Orthotricyclen for $9/mo. Last year I used our county's women's health program which was $15/pk, which I may resort to if I can't get something else. But I like the suggestions about requesting samples from the Dr. (hey, AFC did it me... getting as much as possible for the least amount OOP!) I love you AFC!

If I'm reading your post correctly, your doctor doesn't give you free packs when you have a visit? If not, I'd ask. Every checkup I have (twice a year), when he writes out my six month script, I get 3 packs of pills from HIM! he doesn't carry the generic so he gives me the ortho-lo and then he writes the script for the generic.

[ala119]

I begged for free samples and they said they didn't have any! Turns out the cheapest is $15/mo @ Target for the generic Orthotricyclen. I might check Walmart for price comparison. This whole process has been ridiculous! I've had to call the Dr 3x. Now the Rx is waiting @ Target.

[wannasavemoney]

Originally Posted by therbel

Ever consider an IUD???? I got mine covered for the cost of a co-pay.... $20! It lasts for 5 years.... Thats .30 per month!

I was looking into the IUD but my ins did not cover anything. it was $500 for the IUD and 250 to put in so I am on BC I pay 15 for a generic

[MommySusan1]

I read somewhere that doctors have no idea how much the meds cost when they write out a prescription. My OB prescribed me Yaz, which was brand new and was $50/month.

Good luck in finding cheaper BC.

[tammiw516]

I get mine for $14 for a 3 month supply. They are mail order through my insurance and I receive and email when it's time to re-order.

Shipping is free and they always bill me or can put it on a credit card at time of order.

[Jayden'sMommy]

It sounds like you've talked to your doctor several times already...but most insurances will cover BC if it is "medically necessary" Mine is covered 100% because it helps control heavy bleeding/cramps/etc. Most understanding doctors will "fudge" the paper work enough to say that is medically necessary so that you can save on the cost...I've had two that haven't cared, especially since it doesn't effect what they are paid as doctors. They knew how high BC costs were and agreed that it was stupid that it isn't covered.

[ala119]

So... after Target Pharmacy filled the wrong Rx (Avian? vs. Tri-Sprintec) we finally got it right. I picked up my Rx on Sunday 7/6. But seriously, 3 calls to the Dr and 4 trips to Target just for one Rx. I ended up talking to the L.O.D (lead on duty, I assume) to tell her how frustrated I was over the whole experience. Plus, had they gotten it right the first time I could've used the $10 GC with new Rx which expired 6/30. She apologized for my bad experience, and honored the GC While she walked back to the Pharmacy with me to OK/override the q, I asked her about the store's q policy. She said she wasn't aware of one but that they don't take expired q's. Here's the funny part... so the pharmacy cashier rang up my Rx and took the q with L.O.D standing right there, register didn't beep for expired q So long story short, I got 3 months of Tri-Sprintec for $14.84/mo (price matched to Walmart pharmacy). I guess it's $9/mo in select few states, not MN Should I also contact Corp re: the whole issue?