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Re: Rx drug prices and sourcing
ryck #40677 05/24/16 04:48 PM
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grelber Offline OP
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FYI: www.innovicares.ca [via Firefox]
This Connection is Untrusted
www.innovicares.ca uses an invalid security certificate.
The certificate is not trusted because the issuer certificate is unknown.
The server might not be sending the appropriate intermediate certificates.
An additional root certificate may need to be imported.
(Error code: sec_error_unknown_issuer)

innoviCares | Sampling Technologies Limited
smartsti.com/innovicares/
This page passes muster, but points to the above, which continues to be flagged as "untrusted".

Subsequent attempts to contact sti Technologies via their toll-free number (1-877-790-1991) led to being placed on hold and then disconnected after 100-120 seconds (no matter which option for assistance was chosen). mad

All does not seem to be right in Whoville. crazy

Re: Rx drug prices and sourcing
grelber #40684 05/24/16 10:07 PM
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Originally Posted By: grelber
FYI: www.innovicares.ca [via Firefox].......
All does not seem to be right in Whoville. crazy

Hmmmmm. Perhaps it's actually: All does not seem to be right in FireFoxville.

I use Safari and this link takes me directly to their Canadian website (sans certificate cautions) where I can also find their Canadian physical address and toll-free phone number. I've never had occasion to phone them so can't comment on your experience.

However, I can comment on their service - just last week they provided $230.00 toward the cost of my prescription.

Last edited by ryck; 05/24/16 10:09 PM.

ryck

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Re: Rx drug prices and sourcing
artie505 #40685 05/24/16 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted By: artie505
innoviCares doesn't seem to have a US presence.

That's too bad.....and surprising, as I would have thought the American market is more important than the Canadian in just about anything.

Last edited by ryck; 05/24/16 10:22 PM.

ryck

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Re: Rx drug prices and sourcing
ryck #40686 05/24/16 10:42 PM
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grelber Offline OP
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I went to a PC with IE browser and got into innoviCares site without being cautioned off.
When I checked on what's covered, they were all "high end" and definitely "directed" pharmaceuticals, none of which were relevant to me — which isn't to say that they might not be down the road.

I can certainly see why the manufacturers might subsidize their products vis-à-vis generics. But even more fascinating is that they're willing to do so by matching the generic pricing (via innoviCares). Most curious.


Re: Rx drug prices and sourcing
ryck #40689 05/24/16 11:13 PM
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Originally Posted By: ryck
Originally Posted By: artie505
innoviCares doesn't seem to have a US presence.

That's too bad.....and surprising, as I would have thought the American market is more important than the Canadian in just about anything.

It may have something to do with Canadian Rx prices being much cheaper than US prices to begin with.

The disparity between the prices of generic and non-generic drugs in the U.S. may simply be too big to be absorbed by any organization regardless of its revenue sources.


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: Rx drug prices and sourcing
artie505 #40691 05/24/16 11:42 PM
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Originally Posted By: artie505
It may have something to do with Canadian Rx prices being much cheaper than US prices to begin with.

Yet another surprise...... We're used to the idea that everything is cheaper in the U.S..

Last edited by ryck; 05/24/16 11:43 PM.

ryck

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Re: Rx drug prices and sourcing
ryck #40692 05/25/16 12:15 AM
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Originally Posted By: ryck
Originally Posted By: artie505
It may have something to do with Canadian Rx prices being much cheaper than U.S. prices to begin with.

Yet another surprise...... We're used to the idea that everything is cheaper in the U.S..

I'm surprised that you're surprised.

Canada has been a source of inexpensive drugs for Americans for years. (cheap canadian drugs for americans - Google Search)


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: Rx drug prices and sourcing
artie505 #40694 05/25/16 01:20 AM
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Originally Posted By: artie505
[quote=ryck]I'm surprised that you're surprised.

Canada has been a source of inexpensive drugs for Americans for years.

Ah yes, now I remember. Blame it on a synaptic short circuit....I wonder if there's a drug for that. grin


ryck

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Re: Rx drug prices and sourcing
ryck #40695 05/25/16 01:23 AM
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If you can still say "synaptic short circuit" you don't need one! grin


The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire
Re: Rx drug prices and sourcing
ryck #40697 05/25/16 04:26 AM
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Originally Posted By: ryck
You don't understand. InnoviCares is not a drug plan and does not have any interaction with your drug plan. If only interacts with your pharmacist at the time you are filling a prescription. It is simply a way to ensure you get the original drug, not the generic.

It works like this:

1. Your pharmacist has both the real drug and the generic available.

2. For "Drug X" 100 pills cost 200.00 but 100 generic pills cost only 60.00

3. Your health plan is only willing to pay the generic cost.

4. If you are registered with InnoviCares, you get the real drug even though It costs 200.00.

5. While you are filling your prescription, InnoviCares remits the difference to the pharmacist.

6. The pharmacist then charges you only for the cost of the generic.

7. You submit your claim for the cost of the generic, but you got the real drug.

I have been enrolled with InnoviCares for about four years and, as a person who remains leery of generics (no, I do not wish to have the debate), InnoviCares is the answer. There are no fees or costs of any kind to be a member.

The links provided both point to the Canadian scene (my error) but I have to assume there is an equivalent American program at InnoviCares. It's worth a search.


Our drug plan does not "lock us out" regarding non-generic drugs, and for a good portion of them, the co-pay is not that bad. So, a company like Inn0viCares is useless to us, especially since it is only available in Canada.

Last edited by honestone; 05/25/16 04:28 AM.
Re: Rx drug prices and sourcing
Ira L #40698 05/25/16 04:39 AM
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Originally Posted By: Ira L
Originally Posted By: honestone
For folks that have Medicare Parts A & B (like my wife and I), there are a number of Medicare supplement plans that we can choose from during Open Enrollment, which occurs from October through December. THe 3 types of plans we can choose from are:

Plan C - better coverage for Medical "procedures".

Plan D - Prescription Drug Coverage

Plan C & D - Combines the benefits of Plans C and D above.

My wife and I have always had Plan C & D (called a Medicare Advantage Plan).


There are actually more than three choices if you opt for a MediGap plan (these use letters F through N and are non-HMO). The coverages vary in co-pays, deductibles and what is covered. Under the Affordable Care Act each plan must be the same across all providers. That is, any insurance company's Plan N will cover exactly the same things with the same co-pays, etc. as any other company's Plan N. The only difference will be the monthly premium charged and the level of service provided.

None of these Plans F-N include drug coverage, which is where buying a Plan D would come in. Plan D's can have varying levels of co-pays and deductibles, based on the provider.

What is available to any individual will definitely vary by geography.

Interestingly, when looking at out-of-pocket costs for drugs under different plans, the insurance company will use the retail price of the drug even if you paid less. Just one more way of moving the consumer faster into the Medicare Drug Plan "doughnut hole" (where the individual must cover full costs for a period).


Yeah, I am "somewhat" aware of those, but as I stated above, one should choose a plan that suits their needs. An HMO type Medicare Advantage Plan (Parts C & D), with no premium payment, inexpensive co-pays for doctor/specialist visits, and low co-pays for drugs is perfect for us.

I am also familiar with the "doughnut hole", and fortunately we have never got close to it.

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