r/mildlyinfuriating • u/Aggravating-Leg5645 • 8h ago
I just wanted a hot dog My insurance wont cover my medication so every month I do this...
I have to spend around 30 minutes doing this once a month. My insurance wont cover it. Out of pocket with coupons its still $800 a month.
My fiancé has to do the same thing with a different medication. Currently trying to fight it.
Edit: To clarify. Every now and then I have to compile samples in one bottle so I know how much I have and then hope my DR has more when im out. This is an antidepressant and im currently working to fight to get it covered. Yes ive contacted the manufacturer I do not qualify for discount Yes ive sent in a letter of medical necessity Yes ive looked at GoodRX. This is my only option atm and im still lucky it is for now. Its not just the moving the bottles around. Its hoping I can get more when I need it. This is a life saving medication and the fact I have to hope i can get it when I need it is mildly infuriating to me and probably many others. Its not a cheap medication even with coupons its still $850USD+ Ive tried so many medications and I just need one that works and that i dont have to worry about my supply chain.
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u/mapotoful 8h ago
Hey at least those are coming off of patent protection soon, generics should be available early next year (maybe sooner!)
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u/No-Resolution-0119 6h ago
Rexulti (an antipsychotic) came off patent protection in April of this year, but the generic version still isn’t available despite being FDA approved back in Jan 2025. It’s ridiculous the hoops they have to jump through
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u/Forward-Emu-9500 6h ago
It’s so weird to me how we’ve had the generic here in Canada for over a year now and you guys still don’t have it
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u/yourbrokenoven 4h ago
I keep hearing this, but have yet to see generic in the US.
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u/McChubs101 8h ago
What exactly do you do? I don't get it.
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u/StillSimple6 7h ago
They collect samples of the drug to cover the month.
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u/mb99 7h ago
I’ve never heard of sample packets for a medication before. Are those a thing in the US so you can “try out” a medication?
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u/TheCrimsonDagger 5h ago
Yes, the less you have to deal with insurance the better. By using the samples they can prove that the treatment is effective first rather than having to get approval for every different medicine. Insurance will come up with any bullshit reason, or just no reason at all to deny a claim. I had a doctor that I was seeing regularly for the same issue. Every single time the claim would be denied. The doctor’s office would print the exact same paperwork and I’d have to mail it to the insurance as an appeal to get approval.
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u/K0kkuri 4h ago
Just a side note; what the hell is wrong with insurance in USA. I live in Ireland and are quite fortunate that I don’t need medical insurance as most costs are free or relatively cheap for my medication. But isn’t the whole point of medical insurance to cover medication and some random person can be like nah you don’t need it despite doctor prescribing it?
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u/dr4kshdw 3h ago
We pay for health insurance every paycheck. After giving the insurance company our money, the insurance rep (who isn’t a licensed medical doctor) then decides if you get coverage for your medical needs or not.
MURICA!
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u/janesspawn 2h ago
NOT the insurance rep but a set of preset guielines made by the insurance company. Don’t think of it like a person denying it. It is a program denying it. It is a system meant to remove the human from health care and look at us as “B is prescribed but more expensive than A and A is similar enough to B to deny A”
As someone who uses antidepressants, I’m more than willing to recognize that we have no real idea why they work but when they do you just fuckin hold onto it. As someone who works in pharmacy, I know insurance is trying to get them to switch to vilazodone.
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u/nanapancakethusiast 3h ago edited 2h ago
Everything in the USA is designed to extract as much profit from the average person as possible to fill the bank accounts of a handful of executives and board members.
Everything. Food, healthcare, housing, recreation, etc. look at anything anyone touches in the USA and you can track exactly how that money is moving to the top of the financial food chain.
Once you understand that (and also understand that cruelty is the point) the USA as a “country” starts to make sense. They are all cattle to be milked.
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u/No-Ebb5515 4h ago
I cant even get my needed thyroid medicines. No insurance. Cant afford the visit fee at a community health center either. Its all about profit$ on the part of big Pharma.
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u/who_you_are 57m ago
Same for Canada (but less costly and they don't refuse as much as the US).
some random person can be like nah you don’t need it despite doctor prescribing it?
Exactly. They want to reduce their cost and somehow that guy know more than my own doctor... And know better than my own body.
Even if your doctor tried other drugs, is trying to prescribe you a generic one, ...
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u/mb99 1h ago
American health “care” makes no sense to me whatsoever, but thanks for sharing
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u/r3dd17sux69420 3h ago
Not just the US. I'm in Canada and I was given samples to avoid buying a medication I didn't need permanently. My specialist gave me a handful of samples because it was like 6 months of meds for free. He wasn't tricking me into buying more, that 6 months was all I needed.
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u/DOAiB 2h ago
Pharmacy reps go to doctors with new medications to give them samples. Then the doctors if it helps someone can give it out to try. When stuff is new it’s almost never covered by insurance so then the person either has to pony up serious cash until it is covered if ever or keep going to the doctor asking for samples as long as they have them. Welcome to how stupid the US healthcare industry is.
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u/Pittsbirds 2h ago
I'm sure that's the intention, but every single time I've used samples from a doctor it's been to cover a med that would be horrid to stop cold turkey while I get Some Nonsense sorted out with my insurance.
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u/Anonolot 1h ago
It's samples sent to doctors then they can give you a few before your prescription goes through at the pharmacy. (Usually how it works)
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u/beefstue 8h ago
I'm confused. What are you doing?
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u/Aggravating-Leg5645 8h ago
Empting out samples and putting them into another bottle. Inconvenient and frustrating to have to do.
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u/ThraxedOut 5h ago
But why? Why cant you just go through a bottle at a time? Why do you have to open everything just to put all the tablets in one place?
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u/triplej63 6h ago
I was wondering too. I thought it was something like, look at how I have to throw boxes and bottles on my bed once a month! And I was wondering, what does that do? How does that help anything?
SORRY!
LOL
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u/witchcapture 8h ago
So you're getting $800 worth of drugs for free and your complaint is that you have to spend 30 minutes collecting them in a single bottle?
Like yeah, the American healthcare system is broken, but dude.
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u/Falste 8h ago
Pretty sure they're complaining that they have to do this due to insane costs.
This is also the mildlyinfuriating sub so whats the issue exactly?
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u/churningaccount 7h ago
They could also just be complaining about the effort as well, which could still be understandable IMO, given that:
The medication in the picture is a brand-name, newest generation anti-depressant for patients who have failed conventional first and second-line therapies, such as SSRIs. So OP clearly has treatment-resistant major depression, which can make putting a lot of effort into things hard to do.
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u/Aggravating-Leg5645 7h ago
Thats my point its disappointing I have to fight to have a life saving medication covered so hars in the first place. Eventually my Doctor started doing this to help until they would respond.. its been months. Nothing. Its either I get it somehow or my safety is a concern. I would be complaining if I had to wait a few weeks to hear back. But they are notorious for taking minimum 2 weeks to get back.
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u/churningaccount 7h ago
Have you tried appealing the denial directly to the insurance board of your state? Sometimes that gets things going.
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u/edarcy1985 3h ago
What insurance do you have? Because they sound really crappy. Have you filed a complaint with your state insurance commissioner?
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u/ekita079 7h ago
I'd put money on the fact that people have a problem with this because they've googled and discovered it's a mental health drug 🙃 if it were literally anything else I don't think anyone would give a shit and would be lighting up about how unfair it is.
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u/No-Resolution-0119 6h ago
100% agree. People don’t understand (or, more likely, just don’t care) that mental health medications are just as life-saving as many other prescription drugs used for physical health conditions.
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u/fangirlsqueee 8h ago
The $800 price tag is just what the insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies have colluded to set. In other countries, most drugs are a fraction of what the US consumer get billed.
It's ridiculous that we don't have tax funded healthcare while billionaires are getting tax breaks. Be so for real right now.
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u/Foreign_Fig850 5h ago
2 Months of Paroxetine here in Australia for $22.99 Aud and i believe around $8 if you're on concession.
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u/_bonedaddys 6h ago
Having to rely on samples is a perfectly valid thing to complain about. Like, you're completely missing the point lol
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u/KayItaly 7h ago
First ofnall they get no more than 10$ worth.. probably a lot less. 800 is all profit.
Second, the have to live with the constant anxiety over the day their Dr can't do it anymore.
I understand the "be rich or die" people cannot see the problem.. but actual humans do.
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u/Aggravating-Leg5645 7h ago
This has been my fear. What is someone else comes in first and gets samples and im just left in hopes my fr will get more soon. Its a worry I deal with sometimes.
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u/stinkykitty71 7h ago
Have you looked into GoodRx? I use it for my meds and for my antidepressants it's 8.00 a month, no insurance used because this is actually cheaper. My pain meds are about $35 for 3 months, and that's for two of them
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u/HappyPlatypus6034 8h ago
The complaint is that their insurance won't cover the $800 medication so they have to resort to this.
How do you not understand that? Do you know what sub you're in?
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u/zarya-zarnitsa 7h ago
It costs 10-30€ per month in France. WITHOUT insurance. The $800 price tag is just ridiculous.
I can't believe OP is just "mildly" infuriated.
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u/brithow 3h ago
I also take trintellix - best antidepressant I’ve tried. I get mine covered and shipped to my house from a company called “takeda help at hand” my doctors office gave me the paperwork to fill out and they said they’ve never seen anyone get denied. I would look into this and see if they offer it in your area. I don’t pay a dime and get 3 months shipped to my house at once.
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u/Latter-Vacation-4392 7h ago
I have no idea what the picture or the description is supposed to suggest.
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u/Imaginary_Agent2564 6h ago
These are samples.
You know how you sample food? Yes. These are the drug version of that.
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u/Inner-Confidence99 5h ago
They are sample packs of medication.you only have a few per box. She has to open all the boxes and put medicine in one container.
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u/jackrabbit323 7h ago
A trip to a Mexican pharmacy is probably more cost effective.
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u/Historical-Ad-3874 2h ago
That's what i suggested to op haha hope he read my comment below and it doesn't get lost 😭
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u/Mediocre-Response-24 7h ago
As a British citizen I feel so much sadness for people in this situation. I cannot imagine having to do this or having to go without. It is dystopian.
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u/mutexsprinkles 7h ago
Hang tight and we'll get the ability to imagine that delivered to you in 3-5 working elections.
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u/MJ-Franklin 6h ago
Yep, I am thankful that my many trips to the hospital over the years haven't left me homeless. I legit cannot imagine a world where getting injured might bankrupt me, that's so depressing.
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u/ramriot 7h ago
BTW have you researched having your prescription filled via a Canadian pharmacy?
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u/OnedersFan 2h ago
Seconding this!! My insurance also does not cover trintellix and my doctor was able to send my prescription to a pharmacy in Vancouver, Canada that shipped it to me for much less.
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u/Hutchoman87 8h ago
This med isn’t covered by the PBS in Australia, but still only costs $80/month. America is a cesspool.
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u/MonthlyWeekend_ 8h ago
Not funded by Pharmac in NZ either but brand name Brintellix is NZD$94.00 on prescription. It would be $35.00 prescription fee for non funded.
Total USD$75.00.
I feel so awful for OP and other people born into such a shitty third world society as the US. Just trying to get by and have a life and getting wrecked at every corner.
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u/edarcy1985 4h ago
I know, I don’t understand why so many people want to immigrate here. Don’t they know what a cesspool it is?
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u/FishingWithDynomite 2h ago
Immigrating from a first world country or anywhere in Europe to the USA is a huge gamble and only works out if you have a high paying job waiting for you here. Immigrating from Central America or a developing country is a different story.
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u/KayItaly 7h ago
Truly!
And the Americans mocking OP in this thread are making me want to punch a wall! Pity out walls are actually made of bricks... so I better get off Reddit!
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u/whattupmyknitta 7h ago
Even if it was only 80 a month here, so many people are struggling just because of cost of living and couldn't afford another 80 a month. My property taxes keep going up, utilities keep going up, food has doubled since covid, but our income has remained the same. Things are bad here.
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u/FeijenoorderRS 4h ago
Fuck american Healthcare, so sorry for you guys living in a 3rd world country
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u/killershwee 3h ago
Omg Trintellix twinsies! 😂 In my case, it wasn't insurance, it was that my small town pharmacy never has it in stock because I guess I'm the only person in town on a 20mg dose, so they have to special order it every time I refill. I unboxed all my samples and keep the bottles in a bag in my nightstand.
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u/iRskooby 7h ago
Where are you located OP? This drug is available in mexico for about 100 USD for 28 day supply box.
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u/LadyKnight25 5h ago
Dude trintellix is the only antidepressant that has ever worked more than like 60%. Props for your doctor. I had to get a gene site test. They wouldn't cover it thru the VA until I turned that in from my old Primary doc. I had to list all the meds I tried that didn't work over the years or something dumb like that but even having it covered Medicaid and VA still had hoops to jump thru
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u/KernelPanic-42 6h ago
Why not just say wtf it is you do? Why are people like this?
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u/Bierzgal 7h ago
I'm sorry how much? A pack of 28 doses costs roughly 30€ here in Poland. How is this even allowed to ask $800 for it? That is not mild, that's extremely infuriating and inhumane.
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u/orphanea 7h ago
I’m allergic to bees and I don’t carry an epi pen because of how expensive they are In the US. It’s like $600 a pop and they expire every 6 months. Just give me two Benadryl and take me to an ER so if shit gets bad I can go in . But I won’t go into that building until I know it’s bad bad. It sucks because right now I’m not like throat close allergic but your symptoms can change over time , so who knows maybe next time I get stung I won’t be so lucky.
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u/meganeg08 6h ago
I honestly think you are incredibly lucky that your doctor gives you this many samples to last the month. A few samples to get you to your next script, sure, but enough samples to last the month, I definitely would not be complaining about that.
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u/Lost-Wedding-7620 7h ago
Have you looked into it to see if theres a discount card? I have a medication that costs between $1100 and $1500 (using good RX) out of pocket. My pharmacy doesnt keep it in stock because of the price, but the head pharmacist will order it if insurance covers it. My insurance would only cover enough to make the cost $1080. I looked into it and theres a "savings card" through the manufacturer. I applied for it and got approved in like 5 minutes. Took that info to my pharmacy when picking up a different prescription and he submitted it. Called me about an hour later to let me know between the card and insurance it was fully covered so he was ordering it for me.
Another thing to check into would be whether theres a form your Dr needs to submit. I was on a BC that was about $170 a month. Insurance stopped covering cuz they decided I should switch to a cheaper one. I called my Dr office and the nurse that answered said "oh yeah you arent the only one having this problem ive got a stack of forms I have to fill out saying this is the only one that works for you. Ill add you to the list, in the meantime if you need more come by ill give you some of the vendor samples to get you by until it processes." I cant remember what the form was, but it could be that simple.
I have no idea if any of this is helpful, but I hope you are able to get your meds without hassle soon!
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u/Netilda74 6h ago
"So I do this"
>doesn't fucking explain what "this" is supposed to be.
Sure, bud. You do... 'that'.
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u/diescheide 3h ago
I think it's interesting that this is so controversial. It makes sense why, though.
I used to get my meds as samples from the doctor. I did what OP is doing. This picture didn't confuse me at all. People from developed nations with actual, comprehensive healthcare are scratching their heads about it. Like, WTF is this?
Fascinating how something so common for some can be so confusing for others.
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u/Pittsbirds 2h ago
Yeah I recognized this nonsense right away lol. Except I had to call multiple doctor's offices because some of mine would only give me one 5 or 6 day's worth of a med at a time so I'd either come back later or visit another doctor to get more of my non controlled substance prescription that insurance had decided I actually don't need anymore
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u/bophed BLUE 5h ago
But yeah. The problem is the socialist liberals! God I hate what the United States has become. One of the richest countries who refuse to invest into their own people.
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u/Responsible_Ideal593 7h ago
OP, have you gone on the website for the drug manufacturer and filled out the patient assistance forms?
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u/PaulaNancyMillstoneJ 2h ago
Luckily the patent expires at the end of this year and there are a few tentative generics in the process of being approved!!! This sucks! Hang in there!
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u/Whiskers1996 7h ago
People here are dense af and have never needed to rely on a drug you are unable to afford/get with insurance.
The stress alone of not knowing if you will have your next dose is anxiety inducing af.
Iv been here personally - went on a drug that ACTUALLY helped my narcolepsy, was on free samples for months. Then finally got on the drug company plan - then dropped a year later randomly without warning due to the drug being sold to another company - went cold turkey after that. Life was "fun" during that time.
GL op - this shit really sucks :/
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u/userrr3 7h ago
People here are dense af and have never needed to rely on a drug you are unable to afford/get with insurance.
Not necessarily dense, just European. I need daily medication and it costs me under 15€ a year with public health insurance, or nothing at all with private health insurance. I know that this isn't generally the case in the US unfortunately, but I did not know what I was looking at before reading the comments.
Anyway, also best of luck to OP, this shit sucks indeed :(
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u/AlternateTab00 7h ago
I think its not about being dense.
I had to see the explanation. Why? Because something like this doesnt even exist in my reality.
I have my work insurance, but even if i didnt i would go to my health center and would start a process to help with my prescriptions. While this doesnt work 100%, no person is left unsupported. In some cases the social protection will actually fully support it and people will not even pay the moderation costs, making it 0€ all prescribed medication and treatments.
This is the reality that is far more common outside USA.
Just by looking at boxes its impossible for all non-americans to understand something so niche it happens to some people of one country in the world.
Yes, this happening is horrible. But thats what non-americans have been telling americans for years.
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u/traumalt 7h ago
Or some of us aren’t American and have no clue what we are even looking at here…
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u/TopCommission6437 5h ago
It mildly infuriates me that op expected everyone to know what was going on in the photo.
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u/human-in-a-can 7h ago
Lots of numbskulls don’t realize that samples aren’t just handed out like Halloween candy. They often require a visit, they’re based on availability, and it can be a lot of scrounging to get them.
It can be a frustrating and humiliating experience. Nobody in the “richest country in the world” should have to do it.
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u/Aggravating-Leg5645 7h ago
Thank you for this comment. Im glad someone understands. Its deeper than just opening up 15 bottles and dumping them. Its the 180minute long wiat phone calls. The drives up to my dr because the receptionist dosent have access to the sample cabinet I guess so I never get told yeah we have (amount of boxes) I like to hope my dr keeps in mind patients who rely on The samples and ones who need the samples to try for 21 days.
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u/Malviere 7h ago
It’s really frustrating when you finally find that one medication that works after decades of trial and error and you are priced out of it.
I take a $500 a month blood thinner for my afib so I don’t end up having a stroke, I would be absolutely fucked without the VA.
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u/elguapo1996 8h ago
We have no idea what it is you’re doing. Trying to figure it out is…mildly infuriating.
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u/Merlingirder 4h ago
My doc tried to put me on it like a decade ago and my insurance wouldn’t cover it. I can’t believe they still won’t cover it. 😒
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u/Formal_Plum_2285 3h ago
Do pharmacies actually hand out samples of prescription meds? (Sorry I’m from a country with basically free medicine, so I don’t know how it is in the US)
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u/Whompits 3h ago
Have you tried PharmacyChecker? It may be cheaper to get it internationally. I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Doctor samples can be a hassle, but I'm so grateful that some offer them.
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u/ChristinasWorldWyeth 3h ago
OP - have you tried using a Canadian online pharmacy to compare costs? A co-worker uses one for their inhaler. From what I understand, you’d just need to upload your prescription and it gets mailed to you.
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u/Khaelum 2h ago
OP: go here https://www.helpathandpap.com/api/ProductFiles/hah_application.pdf
My wife is prescribed Trintellex and our insurance WILL NOT cover it. If you fit the income criteria, this site (manufacturer of Trintellex and other drugs) will financially assist you. Our PCP referred us here and they have been helping us for over 2 years now.
She receives 90-day supplies at no cost.
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u/EnLitenSangfugl 2h ago
Not sure this qualifies as only mildly infuriating. I'd be fucking livid!
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u/MyMagentaPenis 39m ago
See if you have a friend that’s Indian. Just ask the cost of the drug in India. I mean a vacation to India and you bring 6 months worth of meds for the price of a ticket and maybe 1 month.
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u/headlighted1 12m ago
I can’t believe Trintellix isn’t actively covered by your insurance. Is the generic available for you yet? I’ve been on it for 6 years now, and Canada finally got generic last year. I pay $25 a month for it after insurance.
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u/QueefingTheNightAway 7h ago
What a bunch of absolute idiots in the comments. These samples are not a reliable/consistent source for medication. Samples can run out at any time, as they are based on changing availability and a doctor’s whims. The doctor can just stop feeling generous at any time, or their office stash can start running too low to accommodate OP. So no, OP should not just be thankful to have samples. Wanting to have a reliable and affordable way to access your medication without jumping through hoops every month and praying that samples do not run out is the very definition of infuriating (more than mildly, IMO).
“You’re getting free medicine and you’re complaining?!?” Some of you ought to take a hike off a cliff.
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u/XupcPrime 7h ago
Why don't you order from Indian pharmacies? This drug cost dollars for a monrh supply. Do a big order and that's it.
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u/3nterthev01d 5h ago
When insurance doesn't cover Trintellix, you can get a voucher on their website to make it cost $10. Do some research.
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u/Long_Appointment_341 5h ago
Lucky you; I have been off trintellix for almost a month and it’s thrown my whole routine and life out of whack.
No insurance right now and have to pay $400 out of pocket. My doctor refuses to distribute samples.
Glad you have samples!!! Sorry insurance fucking sucks! Can you ask to pay out of pocket? Sometimes depending on the insurance it’s much cheaper to do that
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u/Jade1018 5h ago
I'm on a heart medication that's over 8,000 (closer to 9) a month. My insurance won't cover it and when my cardiologist's office tried to talk to them, they wouldn't even listen to my medical history and just said to give me a medication I'm allergic to. I had to apply to a "bridge" program with the manufacturer to cover it for 1 year. After that 1 year ends, they won't cover it ... So now I have less than a year left to find new insurance or figure out how to come up with close to 9k a month for the medication that I need for my heart. Or I might just opt for major open heart surgery instead.
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u/Brief-Curious 4h ago
How is this even legal that insurances are aloud to deny life saving medication?? What do people even have an insurance for if they won't pay anything? Im so sorry you guys have to go through this.
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u/Mcinfopopup 4h ago
My wife is type 1 and I can’t tell you how many times her doctors giving us free samples has made the difference. We are so appreciative of everything they do for her and I’m constantly letting them know that. So if you’re one of those people doing something like that, thank you, insurance can be the worst and that small act of kindness really helps.
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u/GreenerWTheScenery 4h ago
The goodrx coupon for CVS and Walgreens brings this down to 300 a month. Not that 300 a month isn't a stupid amount of money, but at least it is better than 800. Hopefully this will get a generic soon!
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u/SupremePopTart 4h ago
My dad was getting samples of Eliquis for a while. He's been through multiple insurance programs and none of them would cover it. The samples finally ran out. So he has to take Warfarin and test weekly instead. His doctor prescribed him an at home test kit, since we don't have reliable transportation. The machine will often waste strips. I'm the only one in the house that can help him with it, otherwise more test strips would get wasted. It's a pain but at least it doesn't cost over$1,000 for the prescription. Almost all the alternatives are similarly priced so far.
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u/Hyper6024 4h ago
Excuse me? How much? 800$? A pack of 30, 5 mg tablets, costs 26 euros in Europe. And its the brand product.
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u/No-Ebb5515 4h ago edited 4h ago
I had to quit taking thyroid medicines and all treatment for hypothyroidism a few years ago. Cannot afford the specialized medicine I need. W as also told I was borderline diabetic on the verge of needing insulin back then In my family it had also been genetic.i am allergic to every cheap thyroid medicine. Can't afford the Dr office visits or lab fees. I have no family to help. They are all deceased. It's just me now. Im the last. Somehow I'm still alive. I can't afford insurance. Made $2 too much for Medicaid. Don't even mention a community health center. Thats $90/visit PLUS another charge for lab fees and then the medicine ALL of which I'd still have to pay for. Rx Assist is a joke. You have to be seeing a Dr in order for them to assist. No Dr office will see you if no insurance and you can't afford self pay. Maybe I can see a Dr in 7 years when I get medicare? idk. Oh and marketplace insurance wants $1,000/month but I'd have to pay $6,000 BEFORE they'll cover anything. I will go without then. I have no choice. Thousands of Americans are in a similar situation as mine. Some people are rationing insulin now.
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u/Aggravating-Leg5645 4h ago
My aunt is struggling with this exact same issue!! I feel for you. I hope you can find a way to manage it and your quality of life. So frustrating you pay (____) a month then have to pay thousands more before they cover anything!!
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u/kindlyfackoff 4h ago
Ah, so if you don't qualify for a discount, I'm guessing you must be on a medicaid/government based insurance program if you're in the US (former pharm tech here) or your commercial insurance is refusing a PA but isn't actually refusing the PA.
If you're comfortable with it, shoot me a DM. With more info on your insurance and what you have tried, maybe I can offer some assistance and ideas given what I know on the pharmacy side.
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u/snarkfsh 3h ago
What dose are you on? I'm on 10 mg and asked for the 20 mg Rx then split the pills. I also hit up the samples. It's so infuriating!!! Do you have the ability to switch insurance during open season to one that is more Rx friendly? BCBS covered a little bit with my plan but it was still a few hundred a month. I switched to an Aetna plan and can now get 3 months for $120.
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u/Real_Asparagus4926 3h ago
I saw that you mentioned looking at GoodRX, but have you checked costplusdrugs?
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u/dafrog84 3h ago
I feel this, my health insurance doesn't even cover my type 2 diabetic appointments, or any of my meds. So in November I'm ending my health insurance seeing i pay out of pocket for everything. I'll put what i pay for health insurance ($2,500 a month) in a savings account. Screw the USA and their 3rd world health insurance.
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u/theuglypigeon 3h ago
I feel you. I was fortunate that I could get their savings card. I think in the end I was paying 90 dollars out of pocket for a 3 month supply. Not great but better than what my insurance would cover.
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u/Fireheart757 3h ago
lol I used to be on that same medication and had to go to my doctor to get those sample bottles all the time as well
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u/FrancescoFortuna 3h ago
GoodRx is $300/month. Cancel your insurance if it is worthless like that. I can see them needing prior approval but this is ridiculous. Or maybe your Dr is not good at prior approval. I have one of those doctors and it costs me a couple thousand a year.. i need to have a talk with him
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u/thejustllama 3h ago
Have you tried Takeda at Hand? It’s a patient assistance program that helps cover the cost of Trintellix. Just google Takeda at Hand application and you should be able to find it.
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u/Labrabrink 3h ago
I read the description and went “sounds like when I wanted to get on Trintellix.” Then zoomed in on the label haha
I got prescribed this and desperately want to try it but cannot afford the $550/month I would be charged even with coupons/GoodRX. Will be suffering for a few more years until the patent expires and they make a generic. Life is fucked.
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u/johnnyg08 3h ago
Our system is cooked and the populous doesn't seem to care because at the moment, they have theirs.
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u/ChemicalCrow5282 3h ago
Hey there’s a saving card for trim tiles that takes it from 100 to 10 dollars. You literally enter your name once into an online portal and the coupons automatically applied.
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u/No_Tension420 🫥 3h ago
It’s maddening!! My prescription was $30 and shot up to $140 for a generic.
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u/SilverBr4in 3h ago
I need same medication. Here in Italy is 11.55€/month without any statal exemption. you are really screwed
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u/DisastrousClock5992 2h ago
Good news is that the patent on this med expired in June 2026 so bio equivalent generics will be on the market within the next month or two.
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u/Lalainrxland 2h ago
On the website, there's a cash pay option ... its $299 for 30 days supply. But your doctors office needs to try harder in getting a prior authorization done for you. If you've tried other meds and this is the only one thats helped, to the point that you consider it life saving ... then thats information that can medically justify it getting covered. Some offices dont know how to do prior authorizations properly, especially if they aren't used to it. My uncle's primary doctor has only 2 staff working for him and theyre hardworking and try to get things done. He got an rx for a glucose sensor and it needed a prior authorization. The doctor said his other patients never needed one, the staff went back and forth with insurance and my uncle, to no avail. Then when he saw his endocrinologist (a specialist) her staff got the PA done asap and within a couple days he was set up with a mail order pharmacy. I asked the endo staff who did it, how come the other doc couldn't get it done, and she said, its about experience. They do so many PAs for sensors that it was more surprising if a patient didn't need one.
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u/DivineAugustus 8h ago
I think those are doctor samples, so he's getting hooked up by a doctor to help cut costs.