The True Cost of Healthcare ( USA)

Anonymous

http://www.truecostofhealthcare.org/summary

I don't have any comments about this, still reading it.  All 63 pages, it's in PDF, easy to print & read.  Confirms a lot of what some of us already know, especially about the COST of generic medications.

gardengumby

I haven't read all of it yet, but THANK-YOU for the link.  I've passed the link along to a bunch of people (who I'm sure will pass it along to yet others.)  We've been buying our medicine from Costco for years, and I always ask how much it will cost if I don't use insurance.  Sometimes the cost is staggering, but often it's cheaper if I just pay for it myself!

Anonymous

me too gg, and unlike as stated in the paper, the Costco pharmacist NEVER uses my health insurance IF the cash cost is less.  I have found them to be the most ethical people I've dealt with.  Even got me the exact generic manufacturer I wanted for my Arimidex.

gardengumby

I've had mixed results, personally (as far as them using or not using insurance).  I don't think it's because of lack of ethics on the part of the few who assume I'm going to use insurance as much as trying to keep the lines moving, though.  I go to a VERY busy Costco, and as I still work full-time, I'm always there at peak times, too!!! 

Also, my insurance will only permit me to purchase a month at a time of my letrozole (which now is the only prescription medication I take) - which ends up being a pain in the patootie.  Without using insurance I can purchase 3 months at a time.  It costs about 3 dollars more than it would be if I used insurance, but saves me a couple hours or more for 2 months out of three.