5 ms·

Well you know, they need to recoup the R&D costs to develop the drug. > Mylan, the pharmaceutical company, acquired the decades-old product in 2007, when pharm

by serge2k 10y ago

Well you know, they need to recoup the R&D costs to develop the drug. > Mylan, the pharmaceutical company, acquired the decades-old product in 2007, when pharmacies paid less than $100 for a two-pen set Oh. This is why US health care is broken people.

kasey_junk 10y ago
This is one reason. Another reason is that a huge chunk of the population will simply not see these costs. For instance, I choose to be on a high deductible plan at my work (they offer both a high deductible plan and a traditional PPO). My wife has the choice of a reasonably priced HMO and a extremely expensive PPO. On my high deductible plan if I need a refill for an epipen I pay the full boat unless I'm past my deductible (or really my HSA does) on my wifes HMO plan we pay $25 every time we need one. We both have prescriptions, what is the rational decision for my family to make if we need a new epipen? That cost differences is not "free money", it comes out of the pocket of my wife's employer and peers rather than my employer and peers. There is a dramatic agency problem in the US health system as well.
- maxerickson 10y ago
  Apparently they'll cover your copay. https://www.epipen.com/en/copay-offer https://www.epipen.com/en/copay-offer (I didn't read it closely, but the eligibility criteria seem to be 'private insurance')
  - kasey_junk 10y ago
    I don't have a copay on epipens, but I do have a deductible. This actually can help me but the max is $100 off of full price (a few years ago I got $75 off with a similar card).
    - maxerickson 10y ago
      Oh, I didn't think you would be terribly concerned about the savings, I thought the company helping patients use their insurance was a nice addendum to your comment about the agency problem. Edit: The way I read it, if you give the card to the pharmacy, the company will pay the $25 on your wife's plan.
      - kasey_junk 10y ago
        Yeah, for sure. It is interesting. Also copays vs deductible etc all seem to be ways to complicate coverage on purpose.

by serge2k 10y ago

kasey_junk 10y ago

This is one reason. Another reason is that a huge chunk of the population will simply not see these costs. For instance, I choose to be on a high deductible plan at my work (they offer both a high deductible plan and a traditional PPO). My wife has the choice of a reasonably priced HMO and a extremely expensive PPO. On my high deductible plan if I need a refill for an epipen I pay the full boat unless I'm past my deductible (or really my HSA does) on my wifes HMO plan we pay $25 every time we need one. We both have prescriptions, what is the rational decision for my family to make if we need a new epipen? That cost differences is not "free money", it comes out of the pocket of my wife's employer and peers rather than my employer and peers. There is a dramatic agency problem in the US health system as well.

maxerickson 10y ago
Apparently they'll cover your copay. https://www.epipen.com/en/copay-offer https://www.epipen.com/en/copay-offer (I didn't read it closely, but the eligibility criteria seem to be 'private insurance')
- kasey_junk 10y ago
  I don't have a copay on epipens, but I do have a deductible. This actually can help me but the max is $100 off of full price (a few years ago I got $75 off with a similar card).
  - maxerickson 10y ago
    Oh, I didn't think you would be terribly concerned about the savings, I thought the company helping patients use their insurance was a nice addendum to your comment about the agency problem. Edit: The way I read it, if you give the card to the pharmacy, the company will pay the $25 on your wife's plan.
    - kasey_junk 10y ago
      Yeah, for sure. It is interesting. Also copays vs deductible etc all seem to be ways to complicate coverage on purpose.