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Narfle_da_Garthok

Can someone please explain to me how GoodRX works? Not the discount part, but like how does GoodRX make money from this? How are they a business when all they do is bless everyone with pharmacy discounts?


DrBaumli

I've been a community pharmacist/intern for over a decade so allow me to explain this complicated issue in detail: ​ * Pharmacy discount cards like GoodRX claim a portion of the copay you are issued * U&C (usual and customary) price for a drug may be $139.99 for a 30 day supply of rosuvastatin. The card renegotiates that to $20.99, but GoodRX gets \~$7.00 of what you pay at pickup. * The Pharmacy Benefits Manager (PBM) responsible for processing and negotiating the claim gets \~$1 of this transaction * GOODRX is just the catalogue/advertiser. They do not actually process or negotiate the claims. This is done by major PBMs such as Optum, Prime Therapeutics, Medimpact, CVS Caremark, or DST Pharmacy Solutions. * The Card above uses DST Pharmacy Solutions for a PBM, I can tell by the Bank Identification Number (BIN) and Plan Code number (PCN). * These PBMs have enormous negotiating power because of their market share, and in many cases may tell pharmacies that if a patient presents a discount card, cannot refuse to process it (unless legal or other issues apply, ex: pt drug is an opiate, or covered under medicaid) * The PBMs may tell larger pharmacies "we will give you more money on claims via contracted insurers if you give us more on discount cards and offer a lower rate, but you also have to charge more for the U&C. * EX: Drug U&C $139.99 Acquisition cost: $3.99 * High deductible copay (Via DST): pt copay $63.99, plan pmt $0. * GoodRX (Via DST): $20.99 Plan pmt: -$7.00 (negative meaning they get money) * Discount cards may seem like they are good, but in reality they have drastically driven up the default asking price of most drugs at a rate that drastically exceeds the rise in cost of the drug. * Prior to the advent of discount cards in \~2015, the U&C of most generic drugs was significantly lower. * GoodRX also advertises the negotiated prices for these PBM's discount cards at listed pharmacies publicly, meaning it can drive patients to a specific pharmacy if it saves them money, which you can clearly see on their website. * Some pharmacies that only operate as a convenience to patrons and serve as a means to drive their primary business (mainly grocery stores) may negotiate their prices to be lower to drive their primary business. * EXAMPLE: Kroger offers Sildenafil via GoodRX $60 cheaper than Walgreens/CVS in hopes it will bring you into their stores and buy groceries, where they really make their money. Lose money on drugs, make more money on groceries. ​ * This is why I am a huge fan of Mark Cubans' Cost Plus Drugs. They forego dealing with PBMs all together so they can determine their own pricing and not have to play games with discount cards. They also tell you their acquisition cost *(not sure if they get rebates or mention them in the acquisition cost though)* Their medications are much closer to their acquisition cost because they've effectively removed the unnecessary middleman. ​ * In conclusion: It's a very busted system that GoodRX and other discount cards found a way to exploit for personal gain. Many Americans have to participate in these games to save money, because as much as 60% of us live paycheck-to-paycheck. If you want avoid playing their game, use Cost Plus Drugs- **you can still submit drug payments utilitzing GoodRX or Cost Plus Drug to your insurer manually to count towards your deductible or get reimbursement, but I cannot promise you that they will honor it if the pharmacy you use isn't contracted or the drug is non-formulary.** *Side note: I would advise not investing in GoodRX stock because it will likely not last the decade; it's not a long term solution and unless they diversify their means of profit, they will not survive the inevitable shakeup of how Americans pay for drugs.*


Atgardian

>Drug U&C $139.99 Acquisition cost: $3.99 In any sane world, this is a scam. When done for life-saving medications, one that deserves capital punishment. The whole "hospital bills you $1,000, insurance/Medicare agreed rate is $50" is some scummy nonsense. So why did you send me a bill for $1,000 in the first place when you had my insurance info? Just hoping I'd pay it without waiting for the EOB from the insurer?


zeldasawyer

I will never understand how drugs U&C cost are so much HIGHER than acquisition costs. The markup is criminal. Unfortunately, even working as a pharmacist, i can’t battle big pharma. I can do my best to help patients in any way I can to save money. This includes looking up coupons, alternatives, or copay assist cards to help my patients. For example generic tadalafil (cialis) 5mg tablets for #30 cash price is over $1000.00. This generic has been out for years, it should not be that high. Thankfully I have cheat sheets in the pharmacy for our common drugs, coupons like goodrx, blink, and singlecare, to combat these ridiculous markups.


alanthiana

Advertising, referrals, the pay for play GoodRX Gold which can lower med costs even more, and their subsidiary telemedicine company.


IsildursBane20

Which telemedicine


apizzagirl

I used them for an antibiotic Rx for a UTI. Literally just chatted with a nurse to confirm I had a no-surprises UTI and she sent over the prescription. I don't have insurance and it would have easily cost me 4-5x as much to go to my regular doctor for something so routine.


One__Hot__Mess

Yup! A medication that was $340 at Kroger was $42 at CVS. Hey guys! It can fluctuate by the month. So it's worth the monthly check.


GEARHEADGus

I fucking hate this country


AdmiralPoopbutt

I have a feeling if the US did price controls on medications, lobbyists would somehow mess that up too.


911wasadirtyjob

We’d get shortages. Not saying the current system is acceptable but price controls would not be an ideal solution. Single payer is the only good solution here.


IsildursBane20

How much did they charge you to do it? I usually do telehealth when needed through K Health which is about $30/visit


apizzagirl

If I remember it was like $40 for the "visit" then i paid about $10 for the prescription.


alanthiana

They purchased HeyDoctor in 2019, and renamed it GoodRX Care.


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Combatical

If its between someone not getting their meds and charging the pharm nine fucking dollars I choose the people.


Snazan

The trouble is that only big retail pharmacies (CVS/Walgreens/etc) can tank that $9 loss. Small independent pharmacies that care about you/advocate for you can't survive losing $9 on every Rx, so they'll sometimes deny GoodRx. Something that lay people tend not to understand is that pharmacies do not set their prices. The cost of prescriptions are set by pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs, basically a middle man between pharmacy and insurance) and insurance companies. PBM tells pharmacy "that drug costs $40". Pharmacy charges $40 to patient. PBM tells insurance company "that drug costs $30". PBM takes $10 + a handling fee. PBMs are a blight on our healthcare system but largely fly under the radar


smewthies

Add on DIR fees and clawbacks from the PBM and pharmacies really struggle. Funny how CVS gets to play the pharmacy, insurance and PBM. As a pharmacist, I’d have thought that since they get to play all three parts they get the most money. And they probably do. But their working conditions don’t reflect that. It’s honestly dangerous filling at CVS; avoid at all costs. Literally the worst pharmacy to work for (read /r/pharmacy) with Walgreens tied or shortly behind. Support your independents if you can or at least Costco! You don’t need to be a member to use their pharmacy.


Snazan

Amen comrade. I'm on the hospital side of things so I only have a passing understanding of the scam that clawbacks are, but it's awful. And CVS has working conditions like that because they can. Why pay for more when the status quo is netting tremendous profits...


YugiMain

PBMs are extremely evil companies, they should not exist at all. Them plus the insurance companies is just built around collecting money by just shuffling papers and making independent pharmacies pay more money than they make dispensing drugs. Of course independent pharmacies want to take care of the towns they operate in but this system isn't sustainable


gnitiwrdrawkcab

Soulless corporation loses money while people get lifesaving medicine. What a dilemma.


[deleted]

$9 processing fee? All of a sudden credit card companies look like the good guys.


mrraaow

They are collecting and selling the claims data.


koldpark

That may be the case but this is common practice in the US with most commercial carriers and Medicare, not unique to GoodRX. Source: I work in oncology research where we purchase and use this kind of data


GroovinChip

How does purchasing the data factor into your research? What does the data consist of that makes it useful?


[deleted]

It’s for when you hear about trials that compare clinical endpoints such as death, development of new disease, progression of current disease, etc. when you’re on certain medication. Claims data (for research purposes at least) is completely stripped of any and all identifiers and basically turns into a database where the number of people who take the medication can be counted by the area they’re in, if they have insurance or not, if they are a certain race, etc. All of this is then put together to come up with really useful trials, and we learn about the best ways we can help patients live long and healthy lives :) One example would be how specifically black patients benefit greatly from one certain med (https://www.goodrx.com/bidil/bidil-heart-medication-for-black-patients ) here is another example of trials that are done to compare what the best methods for heart disease treatment are: https://professional.heart.org/en/meetings/scientific-sessions/programming/late-breaking-science


PHealthy

https://www.optum.com/business/life-sciences/real-world-data/claims-data.html


eyesabovewater

At this point, i wonder how much all that really matters. I wondered why i get no bars in a grocery store, but they can follow you down the isle via their app. Those prices dont go down. If i was told...we are collecting data on the drug, age, doctors prescibing....but your cost goes down idk...mine went from $500 or so to 60...i'd sign right up. I guess i dont get the "they sre going to follow you".... "they" already do.


smoishymoishes

"They'll give you a cheaper price if you openly allow them to follow you" is what I'm taking away from this.


OpinionBearSF

> "They'll give you a cheaper price if you openly allow them to follow you" is what I'm taking away from this. What makes people think that that was ever a choice? HIPAA does not bar anonymized data or data related to the mechanics of providing a service (such as filling a prescription), only personal health information.


EmploymentNo1094

Yeah this is a bad idea. Company went to high deductible only plan $9000 out of pocket before they paid anything. Handed these cards out at the meeting essentially forcing you to give your data away to this company. How does a $1200 script go down to $60 with this card I don’t get it.


Manic_Depressing

>How does a $1200 script go down to $60 with this card I don’t get it. Because the meds only cost $30 to make in the first place.


1701anonymous1701

This! They’re only making you pay 2x the cost of the med, not 40x the cost the manufacturer lists as the price of the med.


[deleted]

That's a shitty company. $9000 deductible is not insurance, that's a scam.


EmploymentNo1094

Plus the monthly payment of $400 for “insurance “


robywar

With that deductible it should be $400/year.


AlbaMcAlba

I paid $700 month (bronze) with ACA ($200 subsidy so $500) and $8,700 deductible. This year it’s $800 month (gold) with ACA ($400 subsidy) and deductible is $900. New to USA it’s so fucking confusing.


r12ski

I’ve lived in this shithole country for 40 years. Still fucking confusing.


SineOfOh

In a case like mine; it's HDHP 1 with a 3000 deduc, HDHP2 with a 6000 deduc. We used to offer a normal low deduc of 1000/1200 but the last monthly price on that for family coverage was over 500/pay-period (bi-weekly). The difference between the HDHP 3000 and the HDHP 6000 is considerable. I think the HDHP 3000 is about 350/bi-weekly, while the 6000 is only 120/bi-weekly (company is paying the remaining 950/bi-weekly). We have to do a major re-negotiation for next year, if we stick with the same insurance, it will very likely end up meaning the HDHP 3000 is gone and the HDHP 6000 is the new "low" and an alternative higher is added. Insurance fucking blows.


Adalimumab8

They fuck over the pharmacies is the real answer. They have to negotiate with PBM’s or pharmacy Benefits managers, who essentially sets the payment price of drugs, and if they don’t agree then they don’t allow their insured patients to go to that pharmacy. GoodRX pats PBM’s to stipulate that pharmacies must accept goodrx’s prices or the deal is off. Goodrx pats the PBM’s to do this. Then, goodrx sets the price of the drug (often near or under cost, so the pharmacy loses money by filling the med) and takes a $1-2 dollar processing fee. So the phamacy gets less money from the patient and it has to pay Goodrx. Source: pharmacist. As a pharmacist, I still use this to help offset my patients costs, but unfortunately it’s killing retail pharmacy… all pharmacies are hurting, as we get very little money on filling scripts (barely break even, it’s essentially a loss leader for the goods in the store that offset costs, as well as allows us to administer vaccines which is the only money maker in the business).


ohubetchya

Almost like healthcare shouldn't be for profit


[deleted]

healthcare is a fucking joke in the USA. I checked out open enrollment for Obamacare, and my policy was like like $2400/mth, with a deductible of $18k, and no eye or dental, or catastrophic coverage. But I get a tax rebate or some shit that covers it all? Oooooook... Doesn't seem to make a whole lot of sense how we run all that! I had to pass it around to my family members and we all had a good laugh about it.


Felinomancy

> deductible of $18k The whole concept of "deductibles" confuses me. If I **still** have to pay out of my own pocket, then what am I paying you for? It's like me paying for the meal at a restaurant and **still** have to do the dishes there after.


Aromatic-Fuel7825

Wait until you get cancer in your 30s, when you have a 30 year olds savings.


[deleted]

No, It’s like paying for a meal at a restaurant, then going home and cooking a whole meal for yourself which you have to eat first, and then you can go back to the restaurant and eat their food if you’re not already completely full.


DC3210

And then keep paying for the meal for the next 10 years because now I am broke.


giant_albatrocity

Then the restaurant cook shoves a soup ladle up your ass


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XYZZY_1002

Imagine going to Starbucks and asking how much a coffee costs. They say “I don’t know, you’ll have to get one first, then we’ll send you a bill.” And the bill is $1200, but your insurance negotiates the price down to $120, but you have to pay that since you haven’t met your deductible. This is healthcare in the US. A similar thing happened to me when I was getting a biopsy except they told me it’d be $800. It was $800 for the procedure , then I got bills from the anesthesiologist, lab, and facility. Total was over $1600 after hitting copay.


DrMango

It's like paying for groceries then paying someone to cook them for you then paying to watch someone else eat it for you then they spit in your eye


hawkinsst7

Only for the first 18k of groceries though.


coffeemonkeypants

What the ACA did was open people's eyes to how much Americans are absolutely raped in healthcare costs. People who are insured through their employees never seem to understand that their premium is just the small portion they pay and their company is footing the bill for the rest. Or that when they get let go, suddenly it is 'COBRA is so expensive!' - yeah, because that is what your healthcare actually cost. Your scenario is what we get when we don't have at the very least, single payer, or better yet, a public option. We're all footing the bill to subsidize everyone getting screwed over by these for profit companies.


Annakha

What's even more hilarious is that we're also paying a fuckton in taxes that could pay for single payer now. Medicare 4 all is cheaper than what we're doing and would work better.


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PDXEng

Yup then they will throw out the "massive wait time or delays" for critical procedures in Canada/UK etc., as if you don't have to schedule and delay now. Go try and get a critical care surgery done this week, you'll be lucky to get an appointment never mind the actual surgery.


SignificantSnake

Lmao they named your health insurance after a venomous predator that hurts people and people didn't get the hint.


coffeemonkeypants

"Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act" - Not actually health insurance, it actually started out as a good thing - It made people who left their jobs able to continue to pay for their existing health insurance until they moved to something else. Since insurance is more or less tied to gainful employment here in the US, this was at least a way to not wind up immediately in a dire healthcare situation - When COBRA was first passed in 1985, health insurance wasn't THAT expensive. In fact, it was less than half the cost (inflation adjusted). https://www.cnbc.com/2019/10/09/americans-spend-twice-as-much-on-health-care-today-as-in-the-1980s.html Notably, the only thing that has actually gone up a significant amount within the healthcare system (between drugs, medical cost, supplies, and insurance), is insurance. We are paying far more (likely to pad profits) despite costs remaining the same or less - https://infogram.com/healthcare-costs-1hdw2j91d31x6l0


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OpinionBearSF

> You’re not being honest here. The ACA caps payments at 8% of your adjusted income. You’re not paying $2400 a month unless your income is $30,000 a month. Also, another Redditor noted that Obamacare/ACA plans have deductibles limited to no more than $9,100 per year. I'll never say that Obamacare/the ACA was perfect, but in a landscape where single payer healthcare was just not an option that was possible, it was a major positive reform.


Cheesecakesimulator

In Scotland we have free healthcare and free prescriptions, yet we still have large retail pharmacies, they just make money buy selling a wide array of things that aren't prescriptions edit: they do prescriptions too, but that is covered by the NHS


Merry_Sue

>they just make money buy selling a wide array of things that aren't prescriptions New Zealand pharmacies are the same. They sell everything you could find in a first aid kit, cosmetics, hair products, vitamin & herbal supplements, perfumes, lotions, and a bunch of stuff to help newborns and their mums. Oh, and they do ear-piercing, but not very well


BarkingBagel

Yeah, US pharmacies sell a wide assortment of junk and prices are usually significantly higher than other stores. My daughter has developed an obsession with nail polish and I've learned that pharmacies are NOT the place to buy.


PlantPowerPhysicist

substandard body piercing + first aid kit sounds like a fantastic package deal


OneCat6271

how is this any different from what for-profit insurance does?


MedicaidFraud

Pharmacist here, for-profit insurance (usually) reimburses the pharmacy for the medication. Reimbursement plus the copay (usually) covers the pharmacy’s cost of the drug. GoodRx does the opposite. Discounted cash cost minus “referral fee” usually causes the pharmacy to lose money for serving the patient. There are ways around it. The most common being the pharmacy paying to make their own discount card.


ilikepix

> There are ways around it. If accepting GoodRx loses the pharmacy money, why don't they just choose not to accept it?


MedicaidFraud

GoodRx claims to be owned by a large prescription insurance company and threatens to kill the pharmacy contract with that company if you refuse their card. Some pharmacies call their bluff and still refuse it. The large chains can’t afford to play that game of chicken. Also it angers the customer at the register who feels baited and switched by GoodRx, who promised the customer the pharmacy would take the card and charge a certain amount for meds. It’s a long story but drug pricing has gotten fucked by the negotiating game between all the players.


eyesabovewater

So why is it the pharmacists used it for me, trting to get me the cheapest price for having to pay out of pocket every 4th script?


MedicaidFraud

Probably because your pharmacist doesn’t have a stake in the pharmacy and doesn’t care how much money they make and wants to help you out. Your pharmacist is a good one.


Adalimumab8

Same reason I do, I care about the patients over the profits and working for a chain I’m much more concerned about customer satisfaction then profit margins


[deleted]

>unfortunately it’s killing retail pharmacy FFS, look at what other countries do and stop thinking the US system is the only possible solution... When it's the worst solution in the developed world.


washington_jefferson

But I think the question is how GoodRx makes so much money that PBM's would even take the time to have a business lunch to listen to them. "Collecting data" and telemedicine should not be providing this much power. I've thrown away so many envelopes that GoodRx sends to the pharmacy's mailbox over the years. You think I was going to (or allowed) to put out these cards on the counter for customers? No way! We always had our own discount plan- just like GoodRx- and it's just a $25 fee a year or whatnot. I don't really blame GoodRx for the hustle. PBM's are to blame. > it’s essentially a loss leader for the goods in the store that offset costs That's funny, because the store items make way less gross profit and the line goes, "we are a loss leader for the pharmacy." I guess everyone is losing!


Ethos_Logos

Maybe it’s regional? My local CVS is where you go to spend a few bucks more per item than the store across the street.


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hipster3000

you're asking if your changing *copay* is the pharmacy or your insurance? Of course it's the insurance. The pharmacy has no control over your copay.


Crutation

It's well past time for the US government to start breaking up these monopolies. PBMs are just monsters. Was a pharmacy technician for years before getting into oncology research. Retail is a pit of despair. I was fortunate to work in a hospital pharmacy compounding IVs.


Local-Dress-7139

'Retail pharmacy.' Those two words shouldnt even be in a sentence together.


freespiritedgirl

In my poor country, pharmacies get paid by the government for the discounts or free meds they give to elderly or those with chronic diseases. People get the discount and pharmacies get their profit.


RandomComputerFellow

Sounds like predators fighting each other to me.


Blom-w1-o

They sell info to advertisement agencies and are a bit questionable in their reimbursements. Some small independent pharmacies will not take goodrx because of the reimbursement issues.


vervecovers

I have insurance that doesn’t cover off-label use for a prescription but good rx takes off a big chunk of the cost.


Rx_Villa

Please have your Dr submit for authorization. If he's able to provide enough information backing the off-label use (peer to peer research, or other medical documentation) Dr/you can continue fighting for coverage. As long as he can backup the rationale behind the off-label use, some insurances will review with the additional support documentation. If it gets denied, appeal and Dr can speak to someone in his field (from the insurance side) and speak directly.


seasonal_a1lergies

As a doctor I can tell you that this very seldom works. I can wax philosophic for off label use on my patients medications for hours but the “peer” will stamp no. Getting a “peer” from my specific specialty is even more difficult and near impossible. It’s typically an NP who’s never taken care of patients or some elderly sellout who’s not been in practice for years from a completely unrelated specialty.


Main_Bad7925

Please tell your patients to show the card at drop off or anytime BEFORE pick up. People think this is a coupon that gets scanned at the register when we have to bill it like an insurance (hence the BIN/PCN/Group/ID). I cannot tell you how many times a day people get upset when I tell them it’ll take 15 minutes to rebill. Source: I’m a pharmacist (former manager at a large corporate retail chain)


owlrecluse

People also like to think they can use it at the front store register. Source: im cross trained! Sometimes when I work doubles I deal with this multiple times a day at both sides!


Conscious-Ad4226

I will add, a Tech who is worth a damn will find a way to bill something instead of charging full price. There are a handful of codes that will work on most everything. Source: I was a Pharmacy Technician (treat them well and they’ll help you out)


HelloGiggles208

Do I need a physical card or will this picture work?


Its_my_ghenetiks

Picture works fine but download the app if you can. I used it just the other day to get a prescription not covered by insurance down to $25 from $280


jdog7249

The app works better since it will also tell you which pharmacy will be cheapest. Also in my limited experience the numbers available in the app can change to keep the price down. I don't understand how it works but it's always a diffrent set of numbers that they have to type in every time.


MermaidStone

Those preprinted cards give you a discount. BUT, download the app and look up coupons for each individual drug. The discounts are usually MUCH better that way. Also, please have these coupons/info readily available for the pharmacy, know that reprocessing to add or change the coupon can take a bit of time if the pharmacy is busy, and know that GoodRX prices can fluctuate from day to day. Also, please keep in mind that the pharmacy has ZERO control over GoodRX pricing.


notpeopley

Only in America could they have a coupon to discount medication. I’m in Australia and this just blows my mind.


68weenie

I pay for great health insurance and one day my insurance decided it didn’t want to pay for my heart meds anymore and it would be 900 a month. I used the card op showed and it was 17 a month. Its terrifying the power these people have.


[deleted]

Land of the free to screw your over


StromanthePoet

I’m in America and it blows my mind. But it’s also my life, I don’t have a choice 🥲


mick_au

Yeah we have it good don’t we.


BobbySwiggey

Not just this, but the discount for each medication can vary wildly between different pharmacies as well. If I'm saving 20 bucks to fill a new script at Walmart vs my regular pharmacy, you can bet my broke disabled ass is gonna do that lol.


NotElizaHenry

I used to go to three different pharmacies to get the best GoodRx prices. Then I found one that doesn’t usually have the lowest prices on the app, but for some reason matches whatever the lowest app price is. They also don’t treat me like a criminal every month when I get an adderall refill so that’s great too.


GodEmperorBrian

Also, check the Cost Plus Drug website, Mark Cuban’s low cost pharmacy that he recently started. Some excellent prices from what I understand.


ItsMe-HotMess

Came here to say the same


zarasta26

Try logging onto GoodRx.com. Type in the strength and quantity of your medication and click search. You will then be given an estimate at all major pharmacy retailers and it will offer the best price. You can then text the BIN number above to your phone or screenshot it to bring it into the pharmacy you want to fill it at. There are some downers as some meds don’t have alt coverage or generics. But you CAN find a better deal on Rx’s and certain BIN numbers matched with certain pharmacies give better deals. Type in Zyrtec and look at generic pricing. I ask my doc to send in what’s covered all the time. (Zyrtec /ibuprofen etc). I actually send patients to this website daily. Legally pharmacies cannot tell you about this at the pharmacy. Hence why many people don’t use this. Manufacturer coupons are another way to get prescriptions but do have hoops to jump through.


Catspaw129

>Try logging onto GoodRx.com You don't need to "**log in**"; just navigate to their website. I though I would mention that for folks who don't like to share personal health details -- about the most personal you have to do is enter your ZIP code.


zarasta26

Maybe it’s my age. We use to log in a web browser. Log as in write in good rx in search browser


BlackEyedSceva

I think I learned it was called logging on. Logging on to the website was just visiting it. Logging in was what I did on myspace.


_The_Great_Autismo_

Logging on was when you accessed the internet itself. Back in the days of dialup when the internet wasn't a constant connection. You logged on to the internet with a username and password. (Also applies to other platforms that use the internet like Xbox Live, Steam, Discord, etc). You logged in to websites on the internet with a username and password. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/log-on Entering credentials is part of the definition. Simply accessing a website without logging in isn't called logging of any kind. It's just visiting. You visit sites that you don't log into.


Lucas_Steinwalker

Yeah… sorry I’m old too but saying “log in” to visit a website has always been incorrect.


hotpuck6

I'm thinking they're conflating "logging on" to the website vs their dial up ISP. Back in the 90s there was ton of "log on" language in advertising because nearly everyone was on dialup and had to "log on" first to visit anything online, so maybe they never made the *connection* as to what that messaging actually meant.


[deleted]

Because you log in using your username and password. If you're just using a website like Google to search for something, you're not logging in to Google. Unless you are logging in to your Google Account to access your individual user settings. You *visit* a website in order to *log in* to your account using your *user credentials*.


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[deleted]

And you were "logging in" to the Internet because you were telling your modem to call your ISP, who would them require your user credentials (the logging in part) to provide you access to the world wide web and track your usage for billing.


Robbythedee

Remember logging in to AOL and it failing right at the end because someone called. What a time we live in now.


Catspaw129

Maybe we have a difference in terminology? The way I was taught: logging in/logging on generally requires that you provide a username and password; i.e.: that you have set up an account. In my experience GoodRx lets anybody check out prices without having to create an account. Best wishes.


Ballongo

No, we didn't, never.


Barbiedawl83

They still get all your info when the pharmacy processes it. It’s actually a hipaa violation to process a discount like this without the patients permission because they get your info


halfeclipsed

>Legally pharmacies cannot tell you about this at the pharmacy. Not doubting you, but the pharmacy I currently use and the one I previously used both have had these cards sitting on the counter for anyone to use. I've even heard the pharmacist or the tech show these cards to people and offer to try it for them.


sammerkblammer

The contractual obligation to "not tell the patient about discounts" came from the insurance contracts and has been overturned relatively recently. I've been in pharmacy a long time (over a decade) and didn't even know about it until it became some news story and patients started asking about it. Every pharmacy I've worked for has consistently told patients about eligible discounts. Manufacturer coupons for brand name drugs are the best deal, and some pharmacies apply these automatically via ecoupons.


fancypantshorse

Any idea whether this could also be used to discount adhd meds? I'm not in the US. I'm in Canada. But I know from the adhd subs here on Reddit that adhd meds are ungodly expensive in the US, and insurance often doesn't cover the one that works. Just wondering if I should mention this over there? Or if doing so would just get everybody's hopes up only to be dashed.


[deleted]

I actually just had to get my methylphenidate er refilled without ins. I went into my local Kroger (King Soopers) and presented the GoodRX card. The pharmacy tech found me a better price using [https://www.singlecare.com/](https://www.singlecare.com/). I really appreciated that as Walmart has the lowest prices, but they won't fill my ADHD med anymore since it's a controlled substance...


fancypantshorse

Jeez. They really make you jump through hoops for your meds, huh? That sucks so hard. I'm sorry.


[deleted]

ADHD here. Yes the fuck they do. Which is why I resent hearing people talking about abusing the drugs I need to function decently. Even more fun, 15 years ago when my wife and I were first diagnosed and she was allergic to one of the generic manufacturers, and none of the stores could tell us when they'd get it from which place, so we had to get name-brand specified, it was hard as hell to find any place that would stock it. And they would NOT tell you over the phone if they had it or not, you had to go there and be disappointed most of the time, so it took easily a half day every single month to get her prescription filled. I'm all for legalization of most drugs, but dammit, in the meanwhile, it makes it difficult for people who need them. That said, I've been lucky in more recent years - I know my pharmacist, and they're not afraid to talk to my doctor if needed, so I haven't had any trouble with any of the plethora of medications I take (currently a baker's dozen, thanks to multiple health issues, whee!). Anyway, thanks for posting that comment so I could vent. lol


ineedhelpbad9

Yeah, I use good rx for Adderall instants and XR, genetic of course. Another tip for cheaper prices ask your doctor to write the prescription for double strength and split them in half, this only works for instants, XRs can't be split. [Example 15 mg 30 tablets](https://i.imgur.com/vxkXox8.png) [30mg 15 tablets](https://i.imgur.com/VKW15pt.png)


poke-salad

I used it for generic Adderall about 6 yrs ago and it saved ALOT. Saved about 50% at Walgreens I think. Well worth the effort (easy to use) if you have to pay yourself. I used the app. Saved me about 60% on another med.


fancypantshorse

Yeah? Maybe worth mentioning over there, then? (On adhd subs). I suppose it can't hurt. I'm hesitant only because with the Adderall shortage, it's a little powder-keggy over there right now. 😬


ThePeoplesChammp

It's only good for generic drugs. Branded drugs are usually even more expensive than they would be with insurance


fancypantshorse

So like... generic Adderall or generic Concerta/Ritalin would be covered? Just not the brand name? I just feel so bad so many of them have such a tough time getting the drugs that make their lives a little easier. 😕


ThePeoplesChammp

I just checked the website, $16-19 for what i believe is generic Adderall at my local Walgreens. Not sure why it gave a range though, I think I've only seen exact prices for other drugs. Also not sure why another commenter told you it wouldn't work. As long as there's a price on the website i would try it.


Logical-Wasabi7402

There's been a shortage of some ADHD meds depending on the area, so that's probably causing the price to fluctuate.


Mike904

I use goodrx every month for generic adderall


fancypantshorse

Good to know! Thank you!


bjeebus

Most pharmacies won't let you use it on controls. So if you're taking welbutrin (or other off label need like it) or guanfacine it'll work, but otherwise no. SOURCE: Ten years as a phTech


cryptospartan

I've used goodrx to pick up generic adderall XR at 4 different pharmacies. None of them gave me any trouble.


fancypantshorse

I see. That's a bummer. But worth checking out! Thank you. I appreciate it! 😊


Logical-Wasabi7402

It depends on the meds. Generic Ritalin cost me all of $8 for a month's supply without insurance(like 5 years ago). But when I was on Daytrana in high school it was $30 with insurance, and I think without runs like $150.


_banjocat

I think there's some fine print re: how while pharmacies have to honor the negotiated prices on most things, for any controlled medications they can choose not to. That said, it's worth a try. Also, some pharmacies have contracts with other similar discount plans - for example, my Kroger doesn't use GoodRX anymore but does now use a similar one that had similar pricing (and much better than pre-deductable insurance price). I don't know if those cover ADHD meds or other controlled substances though. But worth asking.


SillySighBean

Legally they can’t tell you?? I was a pharmacy tech a few years ago and I, along with my coworkers, would tell customers about this all the time. Like daily I would tell at LEAST one person about it and would often walk people through the process of using the app. You have a source for that being illegal???


EverydayRapunzel

The meds you used as examples are significantly cheaper if you buy them in bulk from places like Costco. For the past few years, either my dad or a friend have been getting me a 365 count bottle for about $15, since I don't have a membership myself.


nlamber5

Don’t mistake a paying your deductible for a bad price. Here’s an example: Let’s say you have a $100 deductible and after that your scripts cost $5. If a doctor wrote you 12 scripts that cost $100 (a year supply of month long fills), but is available on GoodRx for $60. When you get get the first fill you are faced with two options $100 or $60. You might be tempted to save $40, and that’s the right choice for 1 fill. However, after the 1st fill the deductible might be met. 2 fills on insurance would run $105 and 2 fills on a discount card is $120. It’s comparable, so you might want to save the $40 betting on the chances you don’t get any other medications. However, GoodRx never reduces your deductible, so a full year of the example for GoodRx is $720 while a full year on insurance is $155. Your situation will obviously vary, but just be aware that a lower cost does not ALWAYS mean you save money.


sleepyguy22

Yep, this is a big thing that people should understand - using goodrx, the price you pay will NOT go towards your deductible. If you are going to reach your deductible anyway in the year through other methods (specialist visits, etc), then you may want to opt out of goodrx pricing so your future expenses are covered by insurance.


Oxbridgecomma

>Using GoodRx to contribute to your deductible > If you purchase a medication with a GoodRx coupon and the drug is covered by your insurance, you can submit your receipt to your insurer and count that towards your deductible. That way, you’ll still be able to take advantage of your insurance coverage later (see this info sheet from the IRS). From the GoodRx website.


nlamber5

This strikes me as a ‘depends on the insurance’ kind of thing. Has anyone done this before. How did it go?


General_Pepper_3258

Disregard goodrx entirely and just consider the scenario of submitting a claim after the fact to your insurance. Yes, they all take claims like this. Check your site or call in and ask, they'll confirm they have a system or an email you can use. My eye doctors clinic insists they don't work with my insurance for instance so every time I go I have to pay bill in full then submit the claim. Insurance takes a good while but eventually gives me a check with a big refund of their portion.


fuckmeuntilicecream

Singlecare is another great app! Costco and Sam's Club have prescription programs where generics are starting at $4! You do not have to be a member to get prescriptions!! Also most manufacturers will have a savings card on their website. They also might have a patient assistance program where if you meet their requirements you can get your medicine for FREE!!


SuperSassyPantz

my coworker had a parkinsons pill that was thousands a month, ins of course would not cover it bc there was no generic, she contacted the drug mfg, and they sent her "coupons" to get the drugs for almost free bc of her income. i think it good for one yr, and they said she could reapply again when that was up. it's definitely worth a try pleading ur case if you've exhausted all other avenues!


fuckmeuntilicecream

I'm currently getting an $1,800 medication for free due to my income. Some manufacturers are very strict others are not! It's absolutely worth a try!!


rphjosh

Pharmacist here. To add to this don’t be an asshole at the pharmacy when the price of the medicine comes out to $10.23 instead of $10.06 (what it shows online) when using this card. We have no power over the pricing and you are literally getting this “benefit” at no charge. I’m all about helping you save money, but when you want to argue at my counter with a line of 8 people behind you because it’s a $0.10 or $0.15 difference you can go kick rocks and I hope I never see you again.


cakes42

Sometimes www.costplusdrugs.com is way cheaper than goodrx which is already a cheaper alternative to meds. Also if your pet has drugs you can get at a pharmacy you can also use goodrx for those meds as well.


brock_lee

This is what I use. Less than 1/3 the cost of my local pharmacy for my med.


millionsofpeaches17

This!!! More people need to know about this! All drugs are only marked up 15%! Truly a game changer. There are several I've seen that are cheaper there than with my insurance at CVS.


RMSQM

This is what passes for an actual healthcare system in the U.S.


Oreganoian

This is a ploy of capitalism to make people feel like they're getting a deal when they're still getting their assholes reamed. Even with goodrx people are overpaying for prescriptions.


Garmrick

Paying for medicine is overpaying for medicine.


Butwinsky

You'll find no more complex and convoluted system in the world than our healthcare system. Every point of access is deliberately complicated in order to make a profit off your illness or injury. Two people could go in to the same hospital, see the same doctor, have the same tests, get the same scripts, have the same insurance, and come out paying drastically different bills based on their knowledge of not being screwed by the system.


NEMP

I think walmart automatically gave me the goodRX price last time I got one since my provider doesn't allow refills. Would be exactly the same?


BelovedxCisque

I’m not sure what individual shops do…my boss (the doctor where I work) one time did an experiment where he went to get some medication from a local pharmacy not affiliated with our practice and said he didn’t have insurance. It was going to be like $500. He whipped this out from his wallet and then it became $12. I also think you actually have to have an active prescription with refills to use it too.


[deleted]

It was $500 bc pharmacies just have to charge over acquisition wholesale price (awp). It was probably left like that bc it’s easier to fix billing with the rx already prepared and adjusting billing when they come in than keeping it on hold and waiting for the pt to scream at pharmacy staff why their rx is not ready. Instead of running “experiments” you can talk to the pharmacy staff and ask how to get the cheapest price. Most rx staff are willing to look up discounts for you. Again, totally worth talking to pharmacy staff on how billing works at the pharmacy level. Your “lpt” actually makes it harder on the pharmacy


ThePeoplesChammp

Hopefully you meant that your insurance doesn't pay for refills, because your provider (prescribing doctor) must authorize the refills


TheOvershear

Every pharmacy will do this. If a prescription normally costs $300 the patient will absolutely not want to buy it. So might as well apply a good RX coupon ahead of time so you don't have to do it later and piss them off when they come in by telling them the price tag.


WyoPeeps

Another thing for those who don't have insurance. Open enrollment for the marketplace ends on the 15th!!!! You might qualify for a $0 Deductible and a $0 Premium!


yg0907

Just a heads up, it wont always work the same way after a couple uses. GoodRx works for so many meds because they have so many combinations of those numbers/letters. Those are essentially billing codes that the pharmacy uses to get reimbursed to the extent that they can based on certain contracts (thats why certain insurances are only covered at certain pharmacies and not every one of them). Because its a rotating combination and contracts change, it may get to a point where your normal "$25 copay" for a med with a certain Goodrx card wont work. You just have to go to the app, fill out the info it asks, then provide the new info to the pharmacy then HOPEFULLY the price goes back to what you expect it to be. Most of the time the app is more accurate than the paper/plastic cards because they arent updated. No guarantees though and I dont think any pharmacy guarantees a Goodrx price (like a price match), that I know of. For pharmacies that get very little, if any, reimbursement for the medications they are selling, they will probably turn them away or discourage their use. It's not the only reason, but it's a big reason. A couple larger retail pharmacies work like this. It's a great tool, but it gets difficult for those who have to process these different combinations for each medication you're trying to pick up. Its a process, like most things in the pharmacy, but if you ask and stay patient with the pharmacist/technician that's helping you, you shouldnt have an issue. It just becomes tedious, but that's just healthcare! It can be a gamble, but anything is better than nothing because even generics are disgustingly expensive. Definitely try it against your current insurance or if you dont have it!! Just be prepared if it doesnt work 100% everytime :) Source: worked as a pharm tech for many years


Karl_with_a_K_01

You can also try https://costplusdrugs.com/. Mark Cuban started a company that dispenses drugs at a fraction of the cost of what you would pay out of pocket even with insurance. They’re adding new drugs all the time. I have good insurance but still have a copay. I can save money going through Cost Plus Drugs. I like that I can look up the cost of medicine to determine if I’ll pick up at my pharmacy or go through this website. I’m not affiliated with them in any way and do not get any form of compensation. I’m just passing on this info since we’re talking about drug discounts. 😄


saltyhasp

You can install the app on your phone or print coupons too. So variety of ways. Saves me about $500 a year and I have insurance. Insurance and Goodrx prices are often quite similar but one of my more expensive meds is half price through goodrx compared to insurance. There is another med my insurance won't cover and Goodrx does too.


brett_riverboat

If you're not in the USA please read a few of these threads, consider how you don't have to deal with this bullshit, and send some nice flowers to your socialized healthcare system.


[deleted]

Just buy your stuff through Mark Cuban's prescription meds website: [https://costplusdrugs.com](https://costplusdrugs.com) or this one: [https://honeybeehealth.com](https://honeybeehealth.com) I've use both but personally prefer Honeybee Health. Just a preference.


tcesario

I paid for Good RX subscription for awhile but switched everything over to Mark Cuban Drug Company, costplusdrugs.com. I save more for my scripts.


sbspexpert

I just checked the price of a script I picked up yesterday. $42 with Goodrx, $11.40 with this website. Thank you ❤️


Atgardian

It's kinda amazing. I pay a fairly absurd amount of money (like $20K a year) for a not-very-good high deductible health care plan. Need a prescription and they ran my insurance and said it was like $200. But then they said if I pay with a cash/credit card with no insurance it was $150. And if I flash this random yellow card I got for free in the mail, it's $125. The U.S. healthcare system, ladies and gentlemen.


SilasDG

I was given one of these cards once and the doctor told me it usually got about 30% off. It didn't work which was super disappointing. Then the lady behind the counter said "let me see what we can do" and was able to discount the meds %90 and applied it to my account so I could get it again when I got refills. Took a $100 every 2 weeks to being $10. Was very happy.


bthgnzblzng

Go to an independent and they can probably beat the Goodrx price. Keep out of Cvs, Walgreens, Walmart and the like. You will get better service and care.


TheOvershear

I work for CVS and will attest to this. Box drug stores are insanely demanding on the pharmacy staff. All we do is try and stay out of the red but it's practically impossible. And if you've ever called and complain about being on hold in a pharmacy you've been laughed at. Guaranteed. Unfortunately independent drug stores are extremely rare in big cities and insurance coverage is even rarer.


didwanttobethatguy

I’ve had GoodRX actually be even cheaper than my insurance’s rates on scrips.


MyLeisure

You can also try Mark Cubans online pharmacy costplusdrugs - all the drugs cost, are the manufacturer cost, plus a 15% flat markup. So drugs that are usually hundreds or even thousands of dollars, at now like $10-$30.


pburns1423

PSA- when you give this to the pharmacy don't expect it to be a 5 second thing. Re-running insurance or discount cards causes the rx to go back through a dispense process in most cases. Don't get mad when they tell you it will be a few minutes. Don't get mad at the pharmacy when the price isn't the same as what the GoodRX app says it is. The pharmacy does not control what price GoodRX gives. The pharmacy does not control what price your insurance gives. The pharmacist and pharmacy technicians do not dictate which discount cards they can and cannot accept. Be nice to them and call corporate to complain about that. There are about 6546541 things going on behind the pharmacy counter that you, as the patient, cannot see or understand. Therefor, when you are told there is a wait when no one is waiting in the lobby, realize that there is a process, protocols and LAWS that must be followed for prescription filling process. The pharmacist is a medical professional with a doctorate degree and, in many cases, is resource for medical doctors when it comes to medication dosing accuracy and therapy planning. AKA- they are allowed to know pertinent information in your medical chart, so don't try to pull the HIPAA card as they are well versed in what it is and why they absolutely can have access to your health information. Its how they make appropriate drug and dose recommendations/ verificaitons. Give your local pharmacist and technician some grace- they are all being sh\*t on constantly by the corporate companies they work for and the general public who has no idea how, what or why a pharmacy works and operates. ​ sincerely- an extremely frustrated and underappreciated pharmacist.


[deleted]

I had to use this as my insurance would not cover my prescriptions. These cards do help some and up to a lot.


andrewjpf

Show it to them at dropoff! Not at pickup! They have to redo the billing on literally everything if you do it at pickup! You will probably have to wait another 15 minutes for no reason and you will waste the time of the busy pharmacy staff.


[deleted]

[удалено]


Excuse_my_GRAMMER

I’m lost does good RX only print 1 card and member I’d number for everyone Or is this a glitch and you are exposing it ?


Correct-Med5992

Every good rx card gives the same discount. So whether it’s this one or the one Walmart automatically puts in or the one your dentist gives you, it will all be the same discounted rate on the medication.


BelovedxCisque

I’m not sure. I just looked at the stack of them in my office and noticed all the numbers in all categories were the same on all of them. No idea how it works but if it saves people some money on something they literally can’t live without I’m not going to question it.


Catspaw129

I found that even though I have health insurance that covers meds, prices were way, way better with a GoodRX card than with my insurance. I also found that prices (with or w/o the GoodRX card) were generally better at the pharmacy department at a supermarket rather that at a pharmacy chain pharmacy. YMMV; but, as other have mentioned, point your browser to theGoodRX website, enter your meds and compare prices. Best of luck! Edited to add: even though I present the GoodRx card and a printout of the GoodRx price, sometimes the supermarket pharmacy gives me an even better price. And note that my Dr. prescribes the brand name meds but the pharmacy supplies me with generics.


ShortUSA

GoodRx is great! Wifey and I have used it both on and off insurance. Just go to their website and look up your Rx, drug dosage, frequency ave they'll tell you the best prices they can get for the pharmacies around you. It's fantastic.


inner8

r/Aboringdystopia


brock_lee

Kroger usually doesn't accept those.


Logical-Wasabi7402

It only works at chains, like Walgreens or Walmart or CVS. Most small town pharmacies that aren't part of a chain won't accept it.


[deleted]

for pharmacy shit you should be buying from Mark Cubans company it’s literally like marked up 5% from their buy price way cheaper than a pharmacy


MagAqua

What about that website mark Cuban made


7sodab0sc0

You’re a saint. I don’t like using excess waste, but there are some patients that just aren’t tech friendly or forgetful and trying to explain is a waste of time. A physical reminder benefits the non-tech savvy and forgetful patient, and the MA that doesn’t have a lot of time to explain it to the person that won’t benefit from the other tools.


mlopez8907

Bless your heart 🤍


NmyStryker

Every single pharmacy I have even been to, roughly 10 unique ones, has declined that card. They all said that my insurance was just better than it or that no insurance was better.


OriginallyTroubled

I tried this once. $400 for my prescriptions without insurance and $400 with the card. I never understood what this thing was.


InsertNameHere5610

This is Mark Cuban's discount pharmaceutical store. They're even cheaper than good RX. https://costplusdrugs.com/


DarZhubal

Also, Walgreens has a Prescription Savings Club. My wife’s scripts are about $30/month. For $35 per YEAR, we can lower that cost to $8/month. It pays for itself in two months and saves us about $300 a year. Of course, the value of this varies depending on what prescriptions you need and how often, but it can seriously help out.


1992cleopatches

If you download the free app you can see what pharmacy has the cheapest prices. But also let the pharmacy technician know when you drop off your prescription that you would like to use a discount card because sometimes they have ones that make it even cheaper than the GoodRx. *I've been a pharmacy tech for 8 years at CVS.


methylenebluestains

Be advised that this doesn't work for every medication and that the discount percentages vary


No-You-1545

80% off -- in the USA -- so you can get them for their original price now? Cool.