I live in Northeast Ohio and recently learned that my pharmacy provider, ExpressScripts, will no longer cover Novolog effective January 1, 2014.
I am about a three-hour drive from Windsor, so I am wondering if it might be worthwhile for me to try to buy it in Canada instead. Does anybody in the Detroit area go over the border to Windsor to buy their insulin? If so, can you recommend a pharmacy?
Thank you,
Nici
Depends on how much you are going to be charged for insulin. When I left 3 yrs ago, a box of insulin cartridges for a pen was about $120. Google Shopper's Drug Mart which is the CVS of Ontario and speak to their pharmacist. The price of insulin is pretty much the same at all pharmacies so you only need to talk to one. I'm willing to bet that it would be worth the drive. Just ask them what you need to buy several month's supply.
Thanks, Nancy. I will call Shopper's Drug Mart and see what they have to say.
I called Hunter's Pharmacy in Windsor yesterday. I read about them in an article about those senior bus trips that go into Canada to buy Rx drugs. They are all set up to receive Americans and their Rxs. Novolog is $33/vial plus a $12 dispensing fee. The dispensing fee is paid per fill, so it is to my advantage to get as many vials as possible per refill. You also have to pay $40/year to an on-site doctor to maintain your medical file and approve your US Rx.
The lady explained to me that insulin is actually available without an Rx in Canada, but it is to my advantage to buy it with an Rx because you don't have to pay taxes on the purchase then - something like 12%. She also said you get an "official" receipt that details the drugs you bought so that you can use it when you files your taxes. I was thinking that the receipt might make the purchase eligible for my HSA account.
They also ship for $30/shipment, but it doesn't go overnight. They do use ice packs and she said they've never had a problem.
At Walmart in the Northeast Ohio area, Novolog is $178/vial. It's $195/vial at a smaller, local pharmacy.
I haven't decided what to do yet ... I am still doing research, but the price difference is pretty compelling.
I moved here 3 years ago and our insurance was switched over to FSA and I got my first Insulin bill and I almost had a heart attack. A 3 month supply in Canada use to cost me $300, I was billed $1400 for the same quantity, same insulin. Our plan for next year is increasing by 33% so I'll be looking into getting my insulin and test strips in Windsor. I'm on the omnipod so I doubt I can get my pods but just the strips and insulin would be a huge savings. Now I'll have to see if receipts from Canada can be applied against an FSA account....you got me thinking.