A man is going viral on TikTok after sharing how he saved hundreds of dollars using prescription cost savings service GoodRx.
featured videos
Magicman Steve (@magicmansteve1), a business coach and travel expert, says he typically refills his prescriptions at Walgreens. But when he tried to buy his latest prescription, he says he was blocked.
“My pharmacist [at] Walgreens just told me they didn’t fill my prescription because my insurance wouldn’t cover it,” says a Walgreens customer.
Typically, when Walgreens picks up your prescription, you’ll receive a note saying you’re currently being treated, he explains. It is said that no notification was received this time.
“The girl said, ‘So why should we?’ I know that’s not acceptable,” the man says. He also added that the pharmacist informed him that his co-pay for the prescription would be more than $350.
This has led customers to search for coupons to reduce costs.
“I go to GoodRx…it’s $29.99 with the app at Walgreens,” he said, adding:[GoodRX] Saved me hundreds of dollars. You have to do your homework. Or you’ll have to find another pharmacy. ”
GoodRx offers discounts on prescription drugs
According to marketThere are many companies that offer discounts and coupons on prescription drugs. GoodRx is one of them, but other sites that offer similar services include SingleCare and RxSaver.
Customers looking to save a few bucks on their next prescription should search for the drug on the company’s app or website. If a coupon is available, customers will see a list of pharmacies where the coupon can be used.
As an example, with Vons’ GoodRX coupon, 30 tablets of Atorvastatin cost just $2.60, according to the marketplace. However, the retail price is 18 times higher at $46.
Discount companies work with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) so they can pass the savings on to their customers. PBMs are intermediaries in the pharmaceutical supply chain, negotiating prices with manufacturers on behalf of insurance companies. So if a customer paid $20 for a prescription, the PBM would collect $6 (split with GoodRx) and the pharmacy would receive the remaining $14.
PBMs can benefit from partnering with companies like GoodRx because of the potential for additional revenue from uninsured patients. However, independent pharmacies do not always benefit from these deals. As a result, some people Competitor’s unique discount program.
Viewers question America’s health insurance system
As of Monday, the TikToker’s post had garnered more than 296,500 views. In the comments, many viewers questioned why they needed to enroll in an insurance program when GoodRx offers coupons to everyone.
One user shared, “My chemo was over $800 with insurance…$86 with a great RX coupon,” and then asked, “Why do you have insurance??” .
“Yes, a good RX is a great tool sometimes. But that just makes me laugh. If you can sell it at a discount, then anyone should do it,” another person pointed out.
@magicmansteve1 #bad pharmacist #pharmacy #Pricing #walgreens #medicine #obamacare ♬ Original song – Mashiro
But other viewers who work in pharmacies explained why Walgreens pharmacists weren’t all that helpful. They argue that pharmacists often don’t or cannot disclose that customers can get prescriptions cheaper on sites like GoodRx.
“Unfortunately, Walgreens doesn’t allow employees to search for coupons or discount cards. Just show them and we’ll do it for you,” one viewer said.
“As a pharmacy technician, it’s up to the patient to provide the appropriate RX coupon,” another added. “You can fill your prescription as cash or add a standard coupon at the time of billing.”
“It’s the patient’s job to do their ‘homework’ and find the coupon. The pharmacy will probably tell you it’s not eligible, but it’s up to you to decide what to do,” said a third respondent.
The Daily Dot reached out to the creator through a comment on TikTok, and reached out to GoodRx and Walgreens via email.
Internet culture is chaotic, but we break it down for you in one email a day. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter here. Get the best (and worst) of the internet delivered straight to your inbox.
