How can we afford all this ????

nwest125
nwest125 Member Posts: 240
edited June 2014 in Bone Health and Bone Loss

I started taking Walgreens Calcium and Vit D about 6 months ago. It was a large bottle of 500 .  Cost was about 8.00 not bad .Ran out yesterday went down today and the price was horrible 16.99 for a bottle of 400 That is ridiculous how are we to afford this on top of all the other meds we are suppose to be taking. Just needed to vent.....

Nancy

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  • dogsandjogs
    dogsandjogs Member Posts: 1,907
    edited September 2011

    I know---I have insurance, but with having to take 5 prescriptions I still pay about $500 a year (not counting OTC pills like calcium, etc. 

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  • Denise2730
    Denise2730 Member Posts: 648
    edited September 2011

    I always thought it odd how health insurance will pay for prescriptions meds AFTER you are sick but not pay for preventive vitamins BEFORE you get sick.

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  • scuttlers
    scuttlers Member Posts: 1,658
    edited September 2011

    Try being hit with a $2,263 "co-pay" like we were a few months ago for one prescription! Luckily I was able to speak with the drug manufacturer and they made it so that my co-pay is now $50 a month. That 2 grand still hurt big time, they wouldn't go back and cover it, but the monthly fills are covered for the future.

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  • Denise2730
    Denise2730 Member Posts: 648
    edited September 2011

    My DH was put on some cancer medication that would have cost us $3,000 if we weren't insured. He had to stop taking it after a few pills. I hated to throw the rest of the meds out because I'm sure someone with no insurance would have loved to have them. Unfortunately none of the charity organizations in our area would take them.

    Such a waste when you're prescribed something and then can't take them for whatever reason and you have to throw them away.

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited September 2011

    Hi.... I have learned to shop the sales for items such as multi-vitamins, calcium, and Vitamin D.  Safeway often has a buy one, get one free going on.  So the same way I would buy toilet paper.

    I have enough calcium to last until 2014.  But I know I will use it, just don't need to rebuy anytime soon.

    I got the message with calcium  Was doing the chews, so thought I would explore other options.  So something like $25 for an 18 month supply vs $180. 

    So that is my story, Nancy, and I am sticking to it.  You rebuy before you run out. - Claire

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  • peggy_j
    peggy_j Member Posts: 1,700
    edited September 2011

    FWIW, I think some employers have those health flex plans that let you use pre-tax $ to pay for some OTC drugs. I know there were some changes in the last year with how those plans work. And with my Feb 2011 Dx, we've maxed out on that account, so we're not exactly saving receipts from the drugstore this year...(but FYI in case anyone's employer offers this)

    Claire, do you know if the expiration dates on the bottles mean anything? (My DH thinks some of that is hogwash, that some things really don't degrade that fast). FWIW the calcium I bought in the last month shows an expiration date of 2012.

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  • Claire_in_Seattle
    Claire_in_Seattle Member Posts: 4,570
    edited September 2011

    I just finished up some tonic water with an expiration date of 12/08.  I wouldn't worry about a few months, but would worry if a few years.  I would worry less about tablets than gels.

    Which reminds me to toss a couple of things in the freezer.

    I wouldn't worry at all about the calcium. - Claire

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  • Linda54
    Linda54 Member Posts: 2,689
    edited September 2011

    I buy Nature Made vitamins. CVS, Walgreen and Kroger all have buy 1 get 1 free most all the time. There's a code on each bottle of supplements and you can go register at their website and add these codes and after you earn so many points you can get a coupon. I just got one worth $7.00.  I put it toward a bottle of 500 count Calcium buy one get one free.  What a deal!!.....

    Hint:  Kroger's was several dollars cheaper than the drug stores.

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