Epipen cost

[AdaraMarie]

Does anyone have a current strategy for getting a lower price on epipens for kids? The one waiting for me at the pharmacy is the teva generic for the jr dose. When I got one in January I had a coupon code that got it down to $220 but now that code doesn't work anymore and the replacement code from the manufacturer only gets it to $310.
I hate that these are so expensive and that the price can be pretty much anything. I have been charged anywhere from $0 to $600(pre generic).

[dontlook]

Have you tried goodrx? They usually have the best prices.

[BeagleMama]

Is an Auvi-Q an option? We have to have 2 sets, one for us and one for school. I pay for the generic EpiPen at the cheapest place in town via GoodRx  (in 2020 it was Walgreens) then Auvi-Q sends me their product for free (DD's allergist calls in the prescription).

[boiler717]

AuviQ is $25/2 pens or $50/4 pens through the manufacturer

[dutchgirl678]

We used to get it for $100, but I am not sure if that is with a manufacturer's coupon or our insurance. I need to look into the AuviQ. We have never needed one for DS who has a peanut/cashew allergy but the school required us to have one in the nurses' office.

[Poppy]

Ours has varied quite a bit, too. So frustrating. Unfortunately I don't have any tips for you as I feel like I am scrambling to figure it out every year myself. :/

Following.

[calico]

We use Auvi-Q too. The children’s hospital set it up for us when diagnosed. It was $50 for 2 sets.

[CloudBee]

We get a few free AuviQ injectors per year. Our insurance doesn't cover it so one of my son's doctors puts in a request and er get them completely free directly from the company.

[AdaraMarie]

Thank you, I will look into the auviq. I looked on my insurance website just now and it looks like the pharmacy at Target, where I was, is the least expensive place for the one I was trying to get I looked at goodrx and they were showing it less expensive, but the pharmacy indicated they couldn't use that and I didn't have time to discuss it as I realized I needed to be home on a call in 10 minutes. I told them I'd come back.
My insurance site also had a different generic listed at just over $100, but they didn't say anything about which version so I have a message in with them about that too.
I have to have 3 for my kid so it gets expensive. I have never had to use it so I let the ones at my house and her dad's house go beyond the expiration date, but have to keep the one at school current.

[court26]

We also have mostly Auvi-Q in our kits due to the cost of the 1-2 they allow per year. Until last year we had 4 sets in rotation and it cost us a fortune to send him to school every year (school, after care, backpack for the bus and our home set). It’s pathetic and frustrating how the pricing is.

[shaynaatl]

We just re-upped on the Auvi-Q also.

[af1212]

Teacher here - every parent that gives me an epi pen has switched to auvi-q it seems in the last two years. I can’t tel you the last time I’ve seen another brand.

I teach a cooking class as well as a nature class - both have 6 week sessions so I see a lot of kids cycle through over a years time. The parents give me the pen each class and I return at dismissal so it’s the one they carry in their purse that they’re giving me.

Also, while I am trained to give an epic pen injection, the auviq has voice instructions which seems awesome for someone who is unfamiliar or freezes in the moment. I have never had to use it though thank goodness.

[MrsE]

Following. Ours has been teva from cvs.

[cc111]

We have mylan generic, it's a junior twin pack that we pay $10-$20 copay on.

[jg183]

I just filled mine from walgreens and used goodrx. I thought it was going to be 100 (compared to 300 before goodrx coupon) but then my insurance covered it too and it was $30? I was pleasantly surprised.

We use auviQ at home but have to send epipen to school since that is what they use to train

[AdaraMarie]

I called the allergist's office to ask about the auviq and they said they used to work with their program but they don't anymore because it isn't free anymore?
They recommend going with adreniclick with goodrx, but my daughter's school nurse said that those ones are the worst so I'm not sure what I'm going to do.
I might be stuck with the $300.

[aliciabella]

You can and probably should apply them for Medicaid. Medicaid will help cover the out of pocket cost that private insurance will not cover. I don't have the link or know what State you are in but a Google search may help.

As an aside, it is ridiculous that we even need to discuss a price on life-saving drugs for children.

[badgergrl]

Apr 22, 2021 20:37:12 GMT -5 AdaraMarie said:

I called the allergist's office to ask about the auviq and they said they used to work with their program but they don't anymore because it isn't free anymore?
They recommend going with adreniclick with goodrx, but my daughter's school nurse said that those ones are the worst so I'm not sure what I'm going to do.
I might be stuck with the $300.

Last year it was free. Now it’s $50 for 2 pens. So still cheaper.

[AdaraMarie]

I called the auvi q 800 number yesterday and got the info from them so I am going to call the allergist again tomorrow and pass it on so they will hopefully call in the prescription.
And yes, it is ridiculous that I have to spend a week comparison shopping for life saving medicine for my 8 year old (or any age really). It's a good thing it isn't an urgent situation because if it does go through tomorrow I assume it will still be a week before I have it in hand.