Donna Flynn

Review of Community health options

I have asthma. I use a maintenance inhaler twice ...

I have asthma. I use a maintenance inhaler twice a day to control my symptoms. It is now costing me $580. every 90 days for this medication due to my deductible being over $6,000. I did my own research and found a generic inhaler that could cost as low as $49 and still offers the same benefits as my current inhaler. I called Express Scripts to ask if it would be covered and was told that because it is a "non-preferred medication" that it would actually cost me $845. every 90 days. Is the cost higher because you won't make as much money on the non-preferred medication? I thought this was a non-profit company? Please explain. According to the customer service rep at Express Scripts, the cheapest alternative to my current medication would cost me $480 or about $2,000 per year. Thank god I'll be eligible for Medicare by the end of this year.