Paying for meds out of pocket

[Anonymous]

Which pharmacy do you recommend for the least expensive IVF meds?
Need ganarelix, follistim, menopur, Lupron, estrace,and endometrin

[jindc]

I don't know about compared cost, but Freedom lists their costs on their web site, which might be helpful:
http://www.freedomfertility.com/fertility-medications/medications-and-pricing.aspx

It might also be worth seeing if your clinic has donated medicine for at least some of it.

[Anonymous]

In my experience it depends on the specific medication. Call around and get quotes for each. I think Freedom is best for some but I found the lowest price on Lupron at Alexander's Twin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my experience it depends on the specific medication. Call around and get quotes for each. I think Freedom is best for some but I found the lowest price on Lupron at Alexander's Twin.

+1. This was going to be my response. I made a spreadsheet of the costs of each med at each pharmacy and then ordered the cheapest option for each med.

[Anonymous]

I agree with other PPs about checking around. If you have prescription insurance, then you may want to double check and see if it will cover the estrace. Estrace was always covered for me when fertility meds were not, as it is used for treatment of menopause symptoms. And, if funds are really tight,you could also ask your clinic if there is an alternative you can use for Endometrin that is more cost effective, as it is very expensive.

[Anonymous]

also ask about rebates. freedom pharmacy enrolled me in a rebate program and i'll get about $400 back.
and tell your nurse you're paying out of pocket. she may have some meds she can give you for free.

[Anonymous]

Also check with your nurse at your fertility clinic. I donated my meds back to the clinic to be used to help people who do not have insurance....

[Anonymous]

Another thing - see if your nurse can set you up with the Heart Program Card. It's through Ferring, the pharma company that produces menopur, bravelle, and other meds and secures you a certain price at participating pharmacies. It was a lifesaver - I probably saved about $450 through the program. My nurse also gave me a coupon for a rebate on Endometrium.

Here's more info from Ferring, but remember you have to get the card through your RE. Don't be afraid to ask your nurse (my nurse didn't volunteer the info, I asked about it).

https://www.ferringfertility.com/savings/heart/


The other thing is that some of the local pharmacies (Grubb, Ambulatory Care Pharmacy) will let you return unopened meds. That's huge because Freedom and others will not. Especially if you have success, it's nice to know you can return what you didn't need for a full refund.

[Anonymous]

Any tips on other mail order places to try besides Freedom?

[Anonymous]

Prosperity is cheaper than Freedom for Ganirelix. I just ordered 3 Ganirelix from Prosperity for $321 vs Freedom price which was $396. It's a small saving but again, I only ordered three and a bit of saving is better than nothing.

[Anonymous]

check with your insurance about Endometrin. My insurance actually covers it. I only paid a $35 copay. If you only have a copay, ask your nurse to write you a prescription for as much as you need or more because if you need more later, you will have to pay another copay.

[Anonymous]

I use Prosperity in Fairfax.

[Anonymous]

I called around to about 6 clinics. Walgreens specialtiy meds and Ambulatory Care at Shady Grove Fertility were by far the cheepest.

[Anonymous]

Barron's based out of Ohio has really good pricing also. They also accept programs like First Steps, and Compassionate Care.