9 Comments

I've had an *ahem* interesting time lately, since I've been on Medicare. I've signed up for Part D, which, through my supplemental insurance, is administered through Express Scripts. I also determined that the KrogerRx program (which is run by GoodRx, oddly enough) seems to be a good deal for some of the various meds I take.

So I have three avenues to get my meds: Express Scripts, via mail order; Express Scripts at Kroger's Fred Meyer pharmacy; and using the KrogerRx program at Fred Meyer.

I'm not sure why it's sometimes less expensive to pick up the meds at the pharmacy, using the Express Scripts insurance, but it is. (Perhaps it's because they don't have to ship them?)

And you can use the GoodRx program at Kroger, but it's less expensive to use KrogerRx than GoodRx. Or even, I think, GoodRx Gold.

I just got a text from the Fred Meyer pharmacy that I have two auto-refill meds waiting, for an estimated price of about $44. I ran them through the KrogerRx app, and they're $6 each.

The only drawback that I can see is that if the meds don't go through the insurance, they don't count toward the out-of-pocket max.

Expand full comment

It's almost like you need yet another app that will compare the price for you across all three avenues.

I think through its simplicity, GoodRx also reveals what you're going through, which is the absolute insanity of drug prices and the insurance system. You don't get to add to your out-of-pocket if you buy without insurance and the drugs are much cheaper, or you can add to the out of pocket at more up-front expense. It requires all sorts of forward looking financial modeling and predictions just to make sure you you don't spend unnecessarily. Nobody can do that.

Expand full comment

Hi Jared - you opened my eyes to this commercial I've seen many times. I hadn't paid any attention to the parking lot, the uniform, the dread. Feeling more gratitude for my own good fortune and grateful to you for an extra dose of awareness. Well done!

Expand full comment

Thanks Sharon! You make a great point - feeling thankful to not have to experience the same dread as the characters in the ad.

Expand full comment

I wonder what their public perception is? Probably pretty good. The power of marketing. Just beneath some ads they’re just another leach.

Well written, J. I return your positive gratitude.

PS, I watched Prince Of Thieves the other day. Classic.

Expand full comment

I would bet you're right. After all, they're providing a very easy fix to a complicated and frustrating problem (expensive medicine). Thanks for reading Z. Costner is so great.

Expand full comment

I learned a great deal in this piece, important read as I often go down the rabbit hole a commercial offers me. And yes! I wore that waitress uniform on the late 60’s and early 70’s

Expand full comment

Thank you! Was yours baby-blue as well?

Expand full comment

White. Looked filthy all the time

Expand full comment