NJ to Make Discount Drug Cards Available

[arnguy]

I saw a report the other day that NJ is going to have a free discount drug card available starting in July. It has no income requirements and will be available by download. Apparently, quite a few states are in this program, but not PA. However,there is a nationwide card that is available at Free drug card - download prescription drug card. I used it a few months ago to get an Rx. Although it stated that I could get it filled at my local pharmacy, they rejected it. I was able to get filled at a Walgreen's with a deep discount. The article reported that a Kansas woman who was getting a cancer drug costing her $200 a month was able to get it for $23 with the card. savings are supposed to be as high as 75% and one-third off on average. Also, there is no registration or monthly fee required. It covers 95% of prescription drugs, with the exceptions being new drugs.

 

[somarco]

Free Rx cards are everywhere. They usually come with kickbacks per script filled . . . anywhere from $0.10 to $0.50.

As a general rule, free cards are not accepted everywhere and the discounts are not as great as the cards that charge a fee.

Nor are the discounts as great as what is availble from carriers via your major med plan.

 

[TXINSURANCE]

This discourages people from buying plans with responsible coverages, although NJ market is beyond over legislated and screwed up.

I would love to know the break down of who has their hands in the cookie jar on this great "free" program.

 

[senior-advisor-indiana]

I didnt see any major discounts on the drugs I looked up.

I expected better Arnie.

 

[arnguy]

I didnt see any major discounts on the drugs I looked up.

I expected better Arnie.

Well, I guess it depends on the particular drug. The one I purchased was an ointment prescribed by a dermatologist for a scab that was not healing properly. I don't remember the exact numbers, but the pharmacy I usually use wanted to charge about 50% more than the Walgreen's did with the card. I can't vouch for the card----I used only that one time.

 

[somarco]

Interesting first post, reviving a 10 yr old thread.

Is this price real?
Spiriva Handihaler 18mcg 30 Capsule Inhaler $44.70

Always suspicious of claims by discount cards. GoodRx is competitive and has full disclosure pricing. Hard to believe the inhaler price difference.
https://www.goodrx.com/tiotropium

 

[goillini52]

Interesting first post, reviving a 10 yr old thread.

Is this price real?
Spiriva Handihaler 18mcg 30 Capsule Inhaler $44.70

Always suspicious of claims by discount cards. GoodRx is competitive and has full disclosure pricing. Hard to believe the inhaler price difference.
https://www.goodrx.com/tiotropium

I don't see how that price can be real. I used to take Spiriva, and it was over $300 a month. I changed to a different one at the same time I got a 3 month supply of Spiriva. $1,000 worth of medicine sitting in the box, unopened and going to waste for a couple of years.

Other than GoodRX, I haven't seen a discount card worth a damn. I've checked several out and have actually seen a couple of cases where it cost MORE to use the discount card.

 

[somarco]

couple of cases where it cost MORE to use the discount card.

I have seen the same thing. Gave one of those free cards to a friend years ago when he was out of work. First time he used it at Costco they told him his meds would be about a third of what they would have to charge if he used that card.

I wonder if that $44 price is PER CAPSULE.

Not sure what Ben's game is. Wonder if he will return to the scene of the crime?

GoodRx is the real deal