Question on cost of Arimidex

Options
brekka
brekka Member Posts: 3
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer
Question on cost of Arimidex
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • brekka
    brekka Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2008

    I've been on Arimidex for 3 1/2 years.  Does anyone else have to pay these ridiculous prices for prescriptions?  When I refilled my 90 day prescription this week, my share was $234, with insurance paying over $600.  It's killing me!  And I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance.  I'm also on Fosamex for the pre-osteoporosis that the Arimidex causes, and that is also over $75 - my share - insurance paying $165.  AND, I went in yesterday for a re-check on my cholesterol, which has been high, and I'm sure I'll be adding that medication to my daily pill box.  Along with high blood pressure pills, thyroid medication.  I'm only 52 and feel like I must be 80 - I never dreamed I'd be needing a "pill box" at my age.  These prescription costs, in addition to other medical expenses are just sending me over the top, financially.  I don't qualify for any assistance as I work full time and have insurance.  I'm glad we have these fantastic new drugs - trust me - but I just never seem to hear anyone else complain about the price of them.  Is it just crappy insurance I have??

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KariLynn
    KariLynn Member Posts: 1,079
    edited March 2008

    Mine was just $20/month so I have to vote crappy insurance...

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • gsg
    gsg Member Posts: 3,386
    edited March 2008

    I pay $90 for 3 months...also blue cross/blue shield, but it does depend on the bc/bs plan you have.

    Costs are skyrocketing.  I picked up 4 prescriptions Sunday and the total amount of my copays came to around $170.  It's mind-boggling.  It's not lost on me how fortunate I am to have good insurance, when others are trying to come up with the full amount or have higher copays such as yours, Brekka, but, for me, it does drive home the fact that we need national health care.  I would not be able to afford Arimidex or any of my other meds if I didn't have insurance.  I'd have to make a choice between my medications and my heating bills, which are now running $650 PER MONTH for oil & electric.  Outrageous.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    brekka, feel your pain.  My wonderful insurance plan changed the beginning of this years.  To my surprise I had to pay full price for my meds until we reached our deductible of $2200.  My prescriptions were nearly $400.  I called and asked about the price of Arimidex (didn't need it at the time of the order) and they told me something like $743 for 90 days!  By the time I finish my lymphedema therapy I will have almost reached that $2200 deductible.  Our copay for meds used to be $8 for 90 days of generic and $15 for 90 days of name brand.

    We are retired.  So money is tight.  What they're trying to force us to do AT THIS LATE STAGE in our lives is to open something like an HSA to cover our deductible.  That's fine when one's young and has a choice of what coverage they want.  But wer're not young!

    We feel your pain.

    Shirley

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • badboob67
    badboob67 Member Posts: 2,780
    edited March 2008

    The cost to the consumer for some of these drugs is obscene! I have been researching and gathering links for financial assistance and have been really bothered by the fact that qualifying for Medicare puts you out of the running for most assistance programs. I have yet to find a pharmaceutical company that has a program for Medicare recipients. So, if one is lucky enough to qualify for disability because of their cancer (or ages into the Medicare program) and then waits the two years for Medicare to kick in, they are out of luck when it comes to help with their prescription medications.

    I did find one source, the HEALTHWELL FOUNDATION that claims it can help even those covered by medicare. Their eligibility page is HERE. Maybe it is something that will help.  

    It is beyond disgusting that so many people are forced to make the choice between food/heat and medications. I surely don't know what the answer is but hope one comes along soon!

    ((((HUGS)))
    Diane

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Texgirl
    Texgirl Member Posts: 211
    edited March 2008

    I paid $36/3 mo  using United.

    Have just noted a new commercial just out ..with Montel Williams speaking (have only seen it once) but it pertained to drug makers paying all or portions of your drug bill if you are not able or need assistance.There was even a man on there from Astra Zenica...sorry not to have more info but you can watch for it

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    I have Blue Cross/Blue Shield of NJ as part of my annuity with the Federal Government. I was paying the cost of Effexor at my pharmacy with about 25% paid by BCBS and 75% paid by me. When I went on Arimidex and found out how high the cost would be, I found out that the mail order program offered me the best. Now I pay only $35 per prescription (90 days) and have the luxury of not having to go to the pharmacy. Has everyone checked into their mail order prescription program under their plan??

    Bernadette

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • brekka
    brekka Member Posts: 3
    edited March 2008

    Thanks for the advice - I'm a state employee, so our Blue Cross plan is sponsored by them, and it generally covers things pretty well - except for prescriptions.  For name brand drugs we have to pay $20 PLUS 75% of the cost of the drug - and the cost of this drug is $863 for 90 days!  I should look into the mail order prescription program though - because we do have that option.  I just never realized it may save money.  Thanks for that advice and I'll check on it.  Also - does anyone know if this drug is going generic any time in the near future? 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited March 2008

    Once I reach my $2200 deductible I will get my Arimidex for $37 for a 90 day supply.  However, I never had to reach ANY deductible before this new insurance through AT&T (United Healthcare).  AT&T bought out the Bell companies.  We had the BEST insurance with Bell.  I hate this new insurance!  Oh, and we have a cap of how much they will pay for prescriptions.  If we go over it WE pay for it full price.  I don't know what the cap is.  This new insurance has been a pain in the butt and has caused me ANXIETY!  I HATE THIS INSURANCE.  I know, I should be grateful.

    Shirley

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories