How can I navigate pharmacy rules and find cheaper medication options?
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I have insurance, but for some medications, the cash price is actually lower. Why do pharmacy rules make it so hard to just pay cash and bypass the friction with insurance? Is this really for my safety, or does the system just complicate saving money and create challenges for me and my doctor?
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Recent U.S. trends show that this happens because insurers negotiate prices and require billing through benefits, which locks you into a system that isn’t always the cheapest.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for "good faith estimates," consider using discount programs like GoodRx, or request a formulary exception for a cheaper alternative. That way, you can legitimately pay cash where it’s cheaper, without insurance pushback.