The EpiPen that cost $75 in 2001 costs over $300 today

[Pea-n-Me]

I have to also admit that, from the article Tuffcookie posted, her "As a Mom" comment rubbed me the wrong way. When I think of "as a Mom" it means we're all in the trenches together and coming from the same understanding, etc. She can well afford to pay for whatever her kids need, but not everyone else can. (At least in the U.S.!) And then to blame corporate greed on Obamacare! At least that was born from trying to help people, even if it didn't actually completely pan out that way.

 

[mom2rtk]

I have to also admit that, from the article Tuffcookie posted, her "As a Mom" comment rubbed me the wrong way. When I think of "as a Mom" it means we're all in the trenches together and coming from the same understanding, etc. She can well afford to pay for whatever her kids need, but not everyone else can. (At least in the U.S.!) And then to blame corporate greed on Obamacare! At least that was born from trying to help people, even if it didn't actually completely pan out that way.

I wasn't a fan of the ACA back to when it was proposed, long before my own plan went way up in price and changed so substantially. But even I can see this has nothing to do with the ACA. It's very telling that she wanted to rely on 3rd party payors to mask the games they were playing with the price of this medication.

 

[NCDisneyMom]

The only "blame" the ACA has in this, is that it's causing people to sit up and notice the price increase. Previously, many of us were blind to the actual cost because our insurance paid for it (and with their coupon, we had $0 out of pocket). Now, with the ACA policies, more of us have to pay fully out of pocket for the Epi Pens (me, included), so we now KNOW what they are charging for them!

Thank you, everyone, for the information on other alternatives. My son has a Dr. appointment next week, where we usually get a new Epi Pen prescription. I will definitely be talking over the alternatives with his Dr.

 

[Christine]

The only "blame" the ACA has in this, is that it's causing people to sit up and notice the price increase. Previously, many of us were blind to the actual cost because our insurance paid for it (and with their coupon, we had $0 out of pocket). Now, with the ACA policies, more of us have to pay fully out of pocket for the Epi Pens (me, included), so we now KNOW what they are charging for them!

Thank you, everyone, for the information on other alternatives. My son has a Dr. appointment next week, where we usually get a new Epi Pen prescription. I will definitely be talking over the alternatives with his Dr.

And this is probably a good outcome of the ACA. I'm one of those people whose insurance covers the EpiPen. I have paid $25 for a 2-pack for 20 years now. I had NO IDEA that the price went up that much. But, now that I know, I am really angry about it. My insurance company has to bear the brunt of these increases and while I don't have to pay that much out of pocket for the drug, my insurance company will make up the increase in some other fashion--either by increasing my premiums or cutting back some other payment in another area.

 

[mom2rtk]

And this is probably a good outcome of the ACA. I'm one of those people whose insurance covers the EpiPen. I have paid $25 for a 2-pack for 20 years now. I had NO IDEA that the price went up that much. But, now that I know, I am really angry about it. My insurance company has to bear the brunt of these increases and while I don't have to pay that much out of pocket for the drug, my insurance company will make up the increase in some other fashion--either by increasing my premiums or cutting back some other payment in another area.

I suppose in a roundabout way it is.

But those high deductible plans that brought this to the front of national attention are causing a lot of disruption in a lot of family budgets right now. Those plans have done more than reveal this problem with outlandish pharmaceutical prices. They are also forcing families to choose when to seek treatment for ongoing medical concerns, and many are choosing to pass. I actually had to think long and hard about going for my mammogram this year. Not because it's not covered (because it is one of the few things actually covered on my plan without being subject to the high deductible) but because twice in the past I have had false positives that would cost me many thousands of dollars if they happen now under this high deductible plan. I was lucky and got a pass this time. But I'm going to have that same decision to make every single year for a while. It's like playing healthcare roulette, where any single misstep can cost multiple thousands of dollars. It sucks.

There needed to be a better way.

 

[robinb]

I really have no horse in this race because we don't need EpiPens, but I am very angry about this. I read somewhere (but can't find it now) that Mylan had been negotiating with insurance companies prior to Teva losing their FDA approval and and Auvi-Q being taken off the market. After that, they held a monopoly and all negotiations went out the window.

 

[BunsenH]

Do insurance companies really pay that price? When I get a statement for some test or service, there is a large discrepancy between what is billed, and what the ins. co. agrees to pay. For example: A simple blood test. Billed - $35, Insurance pays - $9. I am not responsible for the balance.

 

[mom2rtk]

Do insurance companies really pay that price? When I get a statement for some test or service, there is a large discrepancy between what is billed, and what the ins. co. agrees to pay. For example: A simple blood test. Billed - $35, Insurance pays - $9. I am not responsible for the balance.

They probably all have a different negotiated prices. I'm guessing as those contracts come up for renewal since the competitor was taken off the market, the manufacturer has likely started playing hard ball forcing the negotiated price higher and higher.

But honestly, all those people paying "full price" on their high deductible plans should still be getting the benefit of their negotiated discounted rate, even if the insurance isn't "paying" anything toward it. So when people say they are paying full price at $600, I'm assuming it has at least been run through their insurance plan for any potential discount.

 

[Christine]

I suppose in a roundabout way it is.

But those high deductible plans that brought this to the front of national attention are causing a lot of disruption in a lot of family budgets right now. Those plans have done more than reveal this problem with outlandish pharmaceutical prices. They are also forcing families to choose when to seek treatment for ongoing medical concerns, and many are choosing to pass. I actually had to think long and hard about going for my mammogram this year. Not because it's not covered (because it is one of the few things actually covered on my plan without being subject to the high deductible) but because twice in the past I have had false positives that would cost me many thousands of dollars if they happen now under this high deductible plan. I was lucky and got a pass this time. But I'm going to have that same decision to make every single year for a while. It's like playing healthcare roulette, where any single misstep can cost multiple thousands of dollars. It sucks.

There needed to be a better way.

I agree and certainly don't want this to turn into a healthcare thread. I guess what I meant to say that some good does indeed come out of making people aware of the costs. For many of us, we get lulled into just buying whatever because it doesn't matter if you have a $25 copay. I'm guilty of that. The previous way of doing healthcare (copays) makes the consumer blind to the costs. I prefer the even older style of the 80/20% split. My insurance has stayed with that for doctor's visits and I get to see the costs and often I choose my providers accordingly.

 

[Christine]

Do insurance companies really pay that price? When I get a statement for some test or service, there is a large discrepancy between what is billed, and what the ins. co. agrees to pay. For example: A simple blood test. Billed - $35, Insurance pays - $9. I am not responsible for the balance.

I think for drugs, they do pay the price.

 

[mom2rtk]

I agree and certainly don't want this to turn into a healthcare thread. I guess what I meant to say that some good does indeed come out of making people aware of the costs. For many of us, we get lulled into just buying whatever because it doesn't matter if you have a $25 copay. I'm guilty of that. The previous way of doing healthcare (copays) makes the consumer blind to the costs. I prefer the even older style of the 80/20% split. My insurance has stayed with that for doctor's visits and I get to see the costs and often I choose my providers accordingly.

Any time you separate the end user from the cost of a product, this is what you get. Getting people involved in the actual price of what they are buying is no doubt a good thing. This just wasn't the way to do it.

 

[gmboy95]

Im interested tio hear from the "Disney is not a charity" crowd.....this would be the same thing right....the Epi Pen has to make money for its share holders....maybe the high price will make availability easier....if you cant afford it, dont use it....if your smart with your money, you to can enjoy an Epi Pen!! (Im trolling a bit right now, so dont have a fit

 

[mom2rtk]

I think for drugs, they do pay the price.

Most insurance companies have a formulary they use, which is a list of covered medications they have negotiated with pharmacies to provide at a discounted price. However, it could be that in this case they didn't have much bargaining power after the only competitor was pulled off the market.

My drugs are all subject to my deductible. But when I present my insurance card, I get them at a little lower price because of what the insurance plan negotiated. Oddly enough, in some isolated instances, they pay more in a copayment than the actual cost of the drug if they paid the full price.

 

[gmboy95]

I got a great idea.....healthcare is a human right guaranteed to you simply by birth into this country....lets start with that as the law and work from there

 

[kimblebee]

I got a great idea.....healthcare is a human right guaranteed to you simply by birth into this country....lets start with that as the law and work from there

Works for us...

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

I got a great idea.....healthcare is a human right guaranteed to you simply by birth into this country....lets start with that as the law and work from there

Who pays for this human right?

Is it basic health care that is the right? Or top of the line, "Cadillac" care?

That "law" is kind of vague.

 

[mom2rtk]

I got a great idea.....healthcare is a human right guaranteed to you simply by birth into this country....lets start with that as the law and work from there

I see no way to respond to that without a political discussion ensuing, so I'll have to pass.

 

[Jennasis]

But you can get a coupon from the pharms company now to get them for only $300!

 

[robinb]

Works for us...

Braggart!

 

[TheJuiciestOfJs]

Im interested tio hear from the "Disney is not a charity" crowd.....this would be the same thing right....the Epi Pen has to make money for its share holders....maybe the high price will make availability easier....if you cant afford it, dont use it....if your smart with your money, you to can enjoy an Epi Pen!! (Im trolling a bit right now, so dont have a fit

Mylan is mainly a generic company, I seriously doubt the Epipen price hike contributed much to their bottom line as a percentage.