Wednesday, 19. May 2010
Hi,
I’ve been on Depo Provera(the shot) for about 5 years and recently decided to switch to a pill just b/c of the whole bone density loss issue with being on the shot for so long. My Dr. prescribed Loestrin 24 Fe and said to start anytime. At that point though, I was not having regular periods due to the shot. I waited awhile to fill the script b/c I was waiting for the patient savings card. My last shot expired Jan 23rd so a little over a month ago now. About 2 weeks ago, I did have a real period for the first time in a looong time. I bled heavily, but only for a couple of days. It’s my understanding that periods can be very irregular for awhile after depo so I don’t know if I will have one again at the same time next month. The website and prescription pamphlet say the 1st Sunday of your period, Dr. said whenever. My question is do I HAVE to wait now for another period or can I start the pills today on a regular Sunday w/out a period? If I do start them today, am I doing any major damage? Thanks in advance!
BTW-Anyone been on Loestrin 24 Fe? How was your experience w/ side effects & such?
Also, my fiance and I have had sex a few times using condoms since my last shot expired so I did take a pg test yesterday and it was negative so no real worries about unintentionally taking the pill while pregnant.
Posted in Answers by Prescription Savings -
Tuesday, 9. March 2010
The cost of Prescription drugs are increasing dramatically and unfortunately more and more of the expense is coming out of the consumer’s pocket. As only about 60% of employers help to cover health insurance and prescription costs for their employees, this places more of a burden on the consumer. A 4-Tier Prescription plan is an option that saves you money on your prescriptions and makes prescription coverage more affordable for you.
What is a 4 Tier Plan?
With a 4 Tier plan, prescription medications are divided into co-payment categories that are called Tiers. A consumer’s co-payment is normally the least for generic or brand name medications that are on the Preferred Brand Drug List. Example of Tier Pricing: Drugs in the 1st Tier are priced less than $10, prescriptions in the 2nd Tier are less than $20, drugs that fall in the 3rd Tier are less than $50 and drugs that are in the 4th Tier are at special negotiated discount prices. Consumers can normally fill prescriptions at most pharmacies and there are no deductibles that have to be met, no age requirements, no claims forms and no waiting periods. Consumers simply present their prescription card to the pharmacist to receive the discounted Tier pricing.
Are Generic Medications a Good Alternative?
A drugs brand name, is the trade name under which the product is marketed and sold, and is protected by patents so that it can only be produced by one manufacturer for a certain number of years. Generics are basically a chemical copy of the brand name drug. The drug may look different such as a different color or shape, but the active ingredients must be the same for both. Using Generic drugs does not compromise the quality of your health care and they are lower-cost alternatives to brand name drugs. The preferred drug list contains only FDA-approved generic medications. Brand name drugs are also included on the Preferred Brand drug list.
How can a 4 Tier Prescription Plan be beneficial for you?
A 4 Tier prescription plan is designed to provide you and your physician with a high quality benefit. One that helps manage costs while still offering enormous choice. When you visit your physician, take your prescribing guide with you and have your doctor choose a preferred drug that is in the same therapeutic class in place of an expensive brand name medication that is right for you. This can significantly lower your prescriptions costs and allow you to keep more of your hard earned money in your pocket.
Today’s consumer must take a more active roll in his or her own healthcare and the associated costs. A 4 Tier Prescription plan provides a prescribing guide with the preferred drugs available in each Tier. This allows you, along with your physician, to choose a drug from the same therapeutic class that is right for you and that can save you a substantial amount of money and put you in more control of your out of pocket prescription expenses. 4 Tier Prescription plans are available to both individuals and employer groups.
Posted in Articles by Prescription Savings -