Wow. "Donut Hole" shopping as we get ready for Medicare. What a difference! [View all]

[DebJ]

It doesn't take very much to hit that donut hole, does it?

I'm getting ready to sign my husband up for supplemental health care coverage and Part D for prescriptions, and there sure is a big
difference in the pricing at various pharmacies. My husband is down to 'only' four regular prescriptions now (used to be many more, for diabetes, etc); 2 heart meds (prior heart attack), a cholesterol med (he's down to taking it twice a week though and may go to once a week soon; doc is playing it safe as his cholesterol levels are actually very, very good now), and an ARB because he has kidney disease (though his blood pressure has been fantastic after he lost 120 lbs and got his diabetes 'cured'. Here is the annual retail cost for all four meds at various places in our area in south central PA.

Keep in mind that the donut hole starts at $2960, and that I've seen antibiotic prescriptions that were over $300 at times.


Weis Pharmacy 2780
CVS Pharmacy 2479
Giant Pharmacy 2225
Walmart Pharm 1983
Target Pharmacy 1802


So Weis charges more than 150% over Target's prices: though note this is due to a crazy cost on just one of his meds, way out of line with everyone else.

I am SOOOOO glad Target wins, and Walmart loses. Furthermore, my hubby has been using CVS for over a decade, and their service just sucks so bad that I refuse to pick up his prescriptions for him. About half the time, he goes to pick up the prescription and they are out of the med, give him two pills, and say 'drive all the way back here in two more days'. Seriously, for half of his prescriptions, and he's been taking these prescriptions and getting them filled at this pharmacy for like 15 years or more. They also once gave me a bottle marked with one pill, but filled with some mystery pill...thank God my husband wasn't taking this for the first time and knew what they were supposed to look like. The people working in the pharmacy consistently, constantly look unhappy, tired, angry, and harassed. They have very long lines that move very slow, and they are located across town in an area with bad traffic. My husband is just resistant to change of any type with his health. Well, now he will have to, or we will most likely hit the donut hole. YEAH!!!