What’s the Buzz

Picture this: You’re at the pharmacy counter, picking up your prescription medications. When you find out how much your copay will be, you’re shocked. 

Or… you are hoping to pick up your prescription medication right after your doctor’s visit, but the pharmacist informs you that you’ll have to wait because your insurance company requires pre-authorization. 

The truth is that prescription drug coverage is not what it should be in the US. But there are ways to access your prescriptions at the lowest price if you can’t wait for pre-authorization or your insurance plan doesn’t cover the medication. 

Please continue reading to learn how a free BuzzRx drug discount card can help you save up to 80% at participating pharmacies if you’re paying cash prices.

Why should I use a BuzzRx discount card when I have health insurance?

BuzzRx savings cards and prescription discount coupons are a great alternative to insurance in certain scenarios, some of which are described below.

Can’t wait for pre-authorization or pre-authorization denied

Pre-authorization is how your insurance company makes sure a particular treatment or medicine is right for you. It serves as a checkpoint to ensure you’re receiving the appropriate treatment and that there is no lower-cost alternative available. For instance, your insurance company may require pre-authorization for a brand name drug if a lower-cost generic is available. 

However, a pre-authorization can be inconvenient, and the process can take anywhere from 2 to 10 business days. If the request is approved, you’ll still have to pay your copay (cost share). If the request is denied, you’ll be responsible for 100% of the cost of the medicine. 

In such a situation, a BuzzRx discount card can help you make savings of up to 80% on the drug's cash price.

High deductible plans

A high deductible plan is associated with lower insurance premiums, making health insurance more affordable. However, this type of plan comes with the risk of not being able to afford your prescriptions. 

If you have a high deductible health plan, you have to pay more out of pocket before your insurance company will start to share the cost of your healthcare with you. You will pay 100% of the cost of doctor visits, testing, and treatment until you meet your deductible. This means prescriptions can be unaffordable at the beginning of the year.

For example, if you take diclofenac sodium, an anti-inflammatory drug used to relieve pain, swelling, and joint stiffness caused by arthritis, you’ll pay approximately $130 out of pocket for the most common version of the drug until you meet your deductible, which is at least $1,400 for an individual and at least $2,800 for a family if you have a high deductible health plan. But with your free BuzzRx discount coupon, you could get the same medication for under $19 at a participating pharmacy.

High copays

Health insurance plans with high copays have relatively low monthly premiums. However, people who have these plans have higher out-of-pocket expenses when they obtain medical treatment or fill prescriptions at their local pharmacy. Indeed, a study by the University of Southern California found that insurance copays for a drug (patient’s share) are often higher than the drug's cash price.

It is common for a low-cost generic drug to require a $10 or $20 copayment after you meet your deductible. A brand name drug can invite a copayment of 40% of the cash price of the medication from your pocket. BuzzRx’s discounted pricing can often be less than copays. 

Medications not covered

The majority of health plans include coverage for prescription drugs. But unfortunately, this does not mean that your insurance plan will cover a specific medication that your doctor prescribed. Some plans only cover the generic version of a medicine, and you might find it does not work as well as the brand name you’ve been taking.

In such a scenario, you can either pay the full price of a medication or save big with BuzzRx discount coupons and access it at up to 80% off at any participating pharmacies in our network.

Medications excluded from Medicare Part D list

Medicare does not cover certain types of drugs, including:

• Drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction
• Fertility drugs
• Drugs used to treat weight loss, weight gain, or eating disorders like anorexia
• Drugs meant for cosmetic enhancements or hair growth
• Drugs used to treat cough and cold symptoms
• Prescription vitamins and minerals
• Over the counter medications

So, if you have Medicare Part D and want to take brand name Viagra to treat erectile dysfunction, it won’t be covered by insurance. To avoid paying the full price of nearly $200, you can use a BuzzRx discount coupon and pay under $13.

Order your free, pre-activated, ready-to-use prescription discount card from BuzzRx and start saving today!

References:

1. https://healthpolicy.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/2018.03_Overpaying-for-Prescription-Drugs_White-Paper_v.1.pdf
2. https://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/medicare-prescription-drug-coverage-part-d/medicare-part-d-coverage/drugs-excluded-from-part-d-coverage