What I Can't Believe

So. My first 5 years of teaching, I was lucky to be on great insurance. $10 copays for most prescriptions and similar for office visits. Ah. The good ol' days.

NOW. Our district is on a high deductible plan. I get how that saves money for most involved, and how it forces me to be more mindful of my health choices. For instance, you bet I'd go the doctor if I felt an inkling of needing to. Now, I will really think about it and wait it out a day or two, as it will cost me $100-200.

But...prescriptions. Oh MY. I just got put on a new prescription...$52 a month. Whew. (And I realize that's relatively cheap when we're talking health, and comparing to other meds... but when it used to be $10....). So, I called and asked for other, cheaper, options.


Here's the clincher. When I called one pharmacy for a cash price....$47. When I called another for a cash price on the VERY SAME item? $9. Nearly $40 difference a month! 

I'm all for taking my own health into my own hands...but I'm sure glad I checked. That $40 a month sure adds up. I just can't believe the same thing can be that big of a difference. I guess I need to think of prescriptions like any other item I buy and start shopping around for the best price, not just assuming stores will be comparable. Wow.