The world of health insurance is confusing, to be sure. Here’s a little example I just ran into. My insurance company has a lower co-pay for generic drugs to encourage us to use generics, and obstensibly, save both of us money. Recently, when filling a prescription for a family member, we were told the generic was no longer available, and we had to purchase the brand name drug. Now, here’s the interesting part:
- Generic: Full cost: $58.99. Our cost: $5.00. Insurance cost: $53.99
- Brand Name: Full cost: $72.99. Our cost: $25.00. Insurance cost: $47.99
So, in this case, switching to the brand name costs us more, but saves the insurance company something. Perhaps I’m reading more into this than I should…
(Walks away, humming “You’ve got a headache, and I’ve got some strange disease / Don’t worry about it, this pill will set your mind at ease. / Its called Progenatorivox: its made by Squabbmerleco / It’s a life enhancing miracle, but there are somethings you should know: / It may cause: / agitation, palpitations, excessive salivation, / constipation, male lactation, rust-colored urination, / hallucitations, bad vibrations, mild electric shock sensations. / But its worth it, for the drugs I need….”)
