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Asacol HD price question

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Ulcerative Colitis
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icanrace
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2007
Posts : 224
Posted 11/2/2015 8:56 AM (GMT -7)
So I have some lame insurance coverage with a 3000 deductible. I have been on Lialda for some time but seem to respond better to Asacol HD. I recently picked up a 2 weeks supply for $650! I cannot afford this :(
Do I have any options out there somewhere to where I can get this medication reduced to a more affordable price? Insurance and prescription prices really make me angry. I need this medication but Ill be darned if I'm spending money I have saved for the high priced doctor care. Any suggestions would be appreciated...
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momto2boys
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2013
Posts : 2535
Posted 11/2/2015 9:29 AM (GMT -7)
That seems like a lot of money, according my insurance prices, Asacol HD costs less than Lialda. My doctor once called in Asacol HD instead of Lialda and it was $700 something for a month supply, but I didn't pick it up, I asked for them to call in my usual Lialda for a moth. that was taking 4.8 g a day. My script for lialda without insurance is $875, but I have a $40 copay and use the savings card so it costs me $10.
There is a list of Canadian pharmacies in the resources tab that you could check out, but also call around and find out what different pharmacies charge.
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icanrace
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2007
Posts : 224
Posted 11/2/2015 9:36 AM (GMT -7)
The problem is, the pharmacies need a prescription actaully called in before they can price it to me :(

Does the dr have to send in a script to a Canadian pharmacy to get it from them?
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iPoop
Forum Moderator
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 16381
Posted 11/2/2015 10:03 AM (GMT -7)
High deductible insurance plans are terrible, almost like not having any insurance at all. Nearly all of the meslamine-based pills are brandname and therefore expensive.

What are your options?

There's a copay assistance card for asacol hd that's worth up to $100 a refill:
/www.asacolhd.com/savings.aspx

You could get a generic equivalent to asacol hd, such as sulfasalazine or colazal (balsalazide). A prescription of sulfasalazine is around a $100 a month, or less.

You can order a generic meslamine from Canada. You need a paper copy of the prescription from your doctor. You then fax, or scan plus email it to Canada.
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icanrace
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2007
Posts : 224
Posted 11/2/2015 10:05 AM (GMT -7)
But I can't get asacol HD from Canada? I really want asacol HD :(

Thank you for the savings card link. I printed one of those out this morning in hopes that it reduces my next 2 week supply pickup. This is so so aggrivating......

Post Edited (icanrace) : 11/2/2015 10:09:54 AM (GMT-7)

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momto2boys
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Joined : Jun 2013
Posts : 2535
Posted 11/2/2015 5:17 PM (GMT -7)
Have you thought about asking your dr for samples? I usually do and last time I got a full 30 day supply!
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UC89
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2014
Posts : 79
Posted 11/2/2015 8:01 PM (GMT -7)
unfortunately I've been dealing with it's high cost since jan 2014.

My advice is if you have the option to - elect a lower deductible health plan and contribute to an HSA or FSA if you can to try and reduce the out of pocket cost. a 90 day supply is like $3500 or something but my deductible currently is $1000. then i pay a copay of $150 after. so i plan to put $1000 in my HCSA account (similar to an HSA) so i don't go broke when i have to refill.

The good news is there is a generic pending - hopefully it'll be approved before july!
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icanrace
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2007
Posts : 224
Posted 11/3/2015 8:54 AM (GMT -7)
If I wanted to "shop" around for the best price at my local pharmacies, what questions do I ask when I call?
What is the "cash price" for a particular drug?
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iPoop
Forum Moderator
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 16381
Posted 11/3/2015 12:11 PM (GMT -7)
I would imagine say the medication name, dose, and cash price. Your insurance might give an slight discount.
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UC prisoner
Regular Member
Joined : Oct 2013
Posts : 127
Posted 11/3/2015 7:37 PM (GMT -7)
AsacolHD is the same drug as asacol - just twice as big (and twice the price). If you're saving by buying asacol (in Canada) I'd go for this option.

When our insurance changed from traditional to a high deductible plan our "out of pocket" expenses increased but the savings in premiums made up the difference.

I'm more upset on the pharmaceutical companies being allowed to continue with bogus copycat patents on these "new" drugs ... AsacolHD and now Delizcol ... legal drug pushers on us drug dependent patients with prices constantly allowed to gouge our pocketbooks!
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icanrace
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2007
Posts : 224
Posted 11/3/2015 7:40 PM (GMT -7)
Do doctors frown upon writing a script so we can provide a Canadian pharmacy?
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iPoop
Forum Moderator
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 16381
Posted 11/3/2015 7:48 PM (GMT -7)
Probably. But not if they don't know that's what it's for lol. I need a paper copy of my prescription, end of story. I've never ordered from Canada, some have. I'd explore all your options and see what makes the most sense for you. Either generic here or in Canada. There's the discount/patient assistance card as well.

Do other things count toward this cap? Like doctors visits, tests, etc? Or is it only medications? If it's everything then do you have other procedures needed? As once the cap is hit the others may be free.
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