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How Much Will My Drugs Cost? (examples)
These examples illustrate how the prescription drug plan works, and how you can save if you use mail order and generic drugs.
If you're enrolled in the HSA (health savings account), these examples would not apply to you until you meet your combined medical and drug deductible. This includes the free generic drugs by mail.
The pricing used in these examples is from September 2007.
Lipitor
Actos
Zocor vs. Simvastatin (the generic equivalent)
Glucophage XR vs. Metformin XR (the generic equivalent)
Lipitor
Let's take a look at Lipitor 20 mg, a drug for high cholesterol. It's a maintenance medication for most people who take it.
Because there are generic alternatives available to treat high cholesterol, Lipitor falls into the Brand 50/50 drug category.
| |
Your Cost Per Refill |
Your annual cost |
Alcoa's annual cost |
| If you buy 30-day supply at a retail pharmacy |
$52.41 for the original prescription and 2 refills
____________
After 3rd fill, $62.89 |
$723.24 |
$534.51 |
| If you buy up to a 90-day supply through the mail service |
$135.57 |
$542.28 |
$542.28 |
In this example, you would save approximately $180 a year by using mail order. You could also save money by talking to your doctor about the generic alternatives that are available.
Switching to a generic alternative that treats high cholesterol could save you hundreds of dollars a year.
Actos
Let's take a look at Actos, which is a diabetes medication.
Because Actos is a drug for diabetes, it's covered in the Brand 80/20 category.
| |
Your Cost Per Refill |
Your annual cost |
Alcoa's annual cost |
| If you buy 30-day supply at a retail pharmacy |
$30.71 for the original prescription and 2 refills
____________
After 3rd fill, $46.06 |
$506.67 |
$1,335.81 |
| If you buy up to a 90-day supply through the mail service |
$78.57 |
$314.28 |
$1,257.12 |
In this example, you would save more than $190 a year by using the mail-order service.
Zocor
Let's take a look at Zocor 20 mg, a drug for high cholesterol. It's a maintenance medication for most people who take it.
Because there are generic alternatives available, Zocor falls into the Brand 50/50 drug category.
However, Zocor has its own generic equivalent too (simvastatin). So, if you choose the brand instead of the generic drug, you'll be required to pay the generic coinsurance plus the difference in cost between the brand and generic drug.
You can save a lot of money by using the generic equivalent instead.
Zocor - Brand-Name
| |
Your Cost Per Refill |
Your annual cost |
Alcoa's annual cost |
| If you buy 30-day supply at a retail pharmacy |
$125.59* for the original prescription and 2 refills
____________
After 3rd fill, $127.26* |
$1,522.11 |
$165.81 |
| If you buy up to a 90-day supply through the mail service |
$321.55 |
$1,286.20 |
$186.76 |
Simvastatin - Generic Equivalent
| |
Your Cost Per Refill |
Your annual cost |
Alcoa's annual cost |
| If you buy 30-day supply at a retail pharmacy |
$1.68 for the original prescription and 2 refills
____________
After 3rd fill, $3.35 |
$35.20 |
$165.81 |
| If you buy up to a 90-day supply through the mail service |
$0 |
$0 |
$186.76 |
By switching to a generic equivalent and using the mail-order service you'll pay nothing—instead of more than $1,200 by using the brand-name drug.
You can also save by using the mail-order service.
Glucophage XR
Let's take a look at Glucophage XR 500 mg, a drug for diabetes. It's a maintenance medication for most people who take it.
Because Glucophage is a drug for diabetes, it's covered in the Brand 80/20 category.
A generic equivalent (metformin XR) is available for Glucophage. So if you choose Glucophage XR instead, you'll be required to pay the generic coinsurance plus the difference in cost between the brand and generic.
You can save a lot by using the generic equivalent instead.
Glucophage XR - Brand-Name
| |
Your Cost Per Refill |
Your annual cost |
Alcoa's annual cost |
| If you buy 30-day supply at a retail pharmacy |
$23.50 for the original prescription and 2 refills
____________
After 3rd fill, $23.89 |
$285.51 |
$38.73 |
| If you buy up to a 90-day supply through the mail service |
$60.04 |
$240.16 |
$32.72 |
Metformin XR - Generic Equivalent
| |
Your Cost Per Refill |
Your annual cost |
Alcoa's annual cost |
| If you buy 30-day supply at a retail pharmacy |
$0.39 for the original prescription and 2 refills
____________
After 3rd fill, $.78 |
$8.19 |
$38.73 |
| If you buy up to a 90-day supply through the mail service |
$0 |
$0 |
$32.72 |
By going to a generic equivalent and using the mail-order service you'll pay nothing - instead of more than $240 by using the brand-name drug.
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