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 Why is Walgreen's pharmacy so much higher?
Posted Sun April 12, 2009 5:48 pm, by Kim M. written to Walgreen's
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I have been prescribed Clomid (fertility medication)and have been taking it for close to 6 months now. I normally fill at Target or Kroger but because I needed it the same day, I went to a Walgreens by my office where I've filled prescriptions before and had no issues.
When I went to pick up the order I expected the total to be around $18.00 because that's what it costs at both Target and Kroger, so imagine my surprise when the total was over $31.00 - 72% higher than usual! I asked the pharmacist to make sure they had both given me the generic (Clomiphene) and run it through my insurance, which she assured me they had. So I asked her to please do a price check and call Kroger, which she informed me they don't do unless you ask during drop-off. Since I needed to start taking the medication that day I paid and left.
This isn't a huge amount of money and clearly we can afford it if I'm trying to have a baby. I just wonder if this is happening to others who are less fortunate and Walgreens is padding their pockets.
I'd love an answer as to why Walgreen's is so much more expensive than other pharmacies.
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Ever think that the Walgreens may have high operatating expenses than
other grocery stores??
Walgreens, at least around here, is trying to compete with grocers.
To do this, they have to lower their prices on the staple items, which
they are usually higher on. To make up for their lowering of prices,
they mark up the prescriptions. You may call it padding their pockets,
retailers call it making a profit, which is used to pay rent,
utilities, taxes, insurance, salaries, accident claims, depreciation,
advertising.
And if you dont make a profit, you wont be around long.
If you do not like it, stick with the grocery stores or walmart.
Good Day
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If you have insurance then this is an insurance issue. When you drop
off a prescription, all the pharmacy does is submit a claim to the
insurance and the insurance sends back a price. Calling another
pharmacy wouldn't do any good because the pharmacy has no control over
your copay and cannot change it nor can they answer why you're being
charged a different copay because they are not insurance
representatives. As far as the change in price, there could be a
chance that your copay went up. Often times, when there's a change in
copay, a patient does not find out until they get a script filled.
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I just want to say, good luck getting pregnant! :)
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by SusanB Posted Mon April 13, 2009 @ 12:03 AM
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In view of the fact that you have insurance then per the contract with
the insurance company you should be charged the same price no matter
which pharmacy you use to fill your prescription. If I were you I
would contact your insurance company to verify what the price should
have been and have them follow-up with Walgreen's to get you a refund.
I agree that we're not talking about a huge amount of money but you
should still not pay more than your insurance co-pay.
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by Donno Posted Sun April 12, 2009 @ 9:20 PM
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I believe it is the case that prices may vary quite a bit from
pharmacy to pharmacy. So it sounds like what happens with grocery
stores - each has its own items it makes less money on to get you in
the store. It seems odd, with something like medicine.
Others have much more experience with pharmacies, and maybe they can
offer better advice.
Good luck in your objective.
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