XP: Med question

[megstoo]

I posted this over in Trouble TTC but wasn't sure how many check that other board.

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My insurance covers nothing so we're 100% self pay (meds and treatment) and I need to order med's for the first round of IUI. Our RE's office sent me info to 2 good pharmacies who offer discounts for self pay AND for using the RE's office so I'm waiting to hear on their prices however doing some research on my own makes me think it's going to be high.



1 of the meds that's being prescribed is Prometrium 200mg. I did some looking and it looks like prometrium is the brand name but progesterone is the generic. If they are really the same thing than I have plenty of progesterone in the right mg which my previous ob prescribed (less than 6 months ago and I have 2 refills left). The price difference is huge ($600 vs $70). Does anyone know if there is really a difference (I do have a call into the nurse as well). I also have to get a couple others and the ovidrel is quite pricey as well.



Where did you get your meds from if you are self pay?

[melsamoony]

This is a general statement but sometimes a study has only been done on the brand name of a drug so therefore only the brand will be indicated for certain things. This is usually because companies making the generic form of the med aren't interested in pursuing the specific indication because it will cost more than they will get back. Companies that make the brand name, however, have an incentive to go after specific indications so they can get coverage from insurance as brand medically necessary and force providers to prescribe it as a result.

For example brand name topamax is indicated for tourettes but generic isn't indicated because it hasn't been studied.

You should look into patient assistance programs. A lot of times drug companies provide assistance programs/coupons. They can save you a lot of money and work particularly well for self-pay patients.

[brewco]

Get the GoodRx app- it helped with the Ovidrel for me.

Also look into compassionate care- my RE recommended it when we were 100% out of pocket and it got us a 25% discount on all meds. It was super easy to apply for and meds arrived quickly after my RE ordered them. Your RE or OB/gyn may have other recommendations on resources for self pay patients- it's definitely worth asking!

[megstoo]

May 29, 2018 17:55:16 GMT -5 brewco said:

Get the GoodRx app- it helped with the Ovidrel for me.

Also look into compassionate care- my RE recommended it when we were 100% out of pocket and it got us a 25% discount on all meds. It was super easy to apply for and meds arrived quickly after my RE ordered them. Your RE or OB/gyn may have other recommendations on resources for self pay patients- it's definitely worth asking!

I already checked good Rx and it was more expensive (by at least 25%) than the places they recommended. I did look into compassionate care. We don’t qualify for the grant part but can use it for a % back on meds it which I plan on. The places that the RE recommended are free next day shipping so I don’t have to worry about not having them in time.