Posts Tagged: RX coupons

Can You Get an Online Prescription for a Canadian Pharmacy?

Author Vanessa, posted on October 3, 2018

Category: Prescription Related Questions

Have you recently read that many US citizens are turning to Canada to save money on their prescription medications?

Wondering if that’s safe, really worth the money, or even possible?

While the safety issue was covered in this guide, and the cost savings was evaluated in this one, we haven’t yet discussed how Americans can get a prescription to use at a Canadian pharmacy.

That’s why this guide is centered around that topic to help you understand your options when it comes to filling your prescriptions across the border.

We’ll also talk about whether or not you need a new prescription and the pros and cons of two different routes you can take here.

Before we dive into those, you should know what it takes to fill your prescription medications in Canada as a US citizen.

How to Obtain an Online Prescription to Use a Canadian Pharmacy

After reading the aforementioned guide on how to save money on prescription medications by using a Canadian pharmacy, you may be wondering how to go about getting your first prescription filled.

The next question that often comes up here is: Can I use the same prescription my doctor gave me in the states to place an order at a Canadian pharmacy?

And the answer is both yes and no.

The prescription your US doctor gave you can help speed the process along. But it’s not enough to get the job done.

In Canada, by law, a Canadian doctor must write the prescription in order for one of our pharmacies to dispense the medication. This means that you’ll need an online prescription from a Canadian doctor.

Wondering how you can get one if you’re a US citizen? You have a few options here.

#1: Use a Doctor Online for a Virtual Consultation

One route you can take without having to physically cross the border to obtain an online prescription that’s valid at a Canadian pharmacy is to visit a Canadian doctor virtually.

With this, you’d simply find a doctor across the border who is able to meet over the phone or through video conferencing and schedule an appointment just like you normally would.

During this initial meeting, you’d have a similar one-on-one visit with the Canadian doctor, the only difference is that you would both reside in different countries and you, therefore, wouldn’t be in-person for this visit.

Using this conversation, along with your medical history and possible blood work as well as lab tests, your virtual doctor would then diagnose your condition and create a treatment plan to meet your needs, including prescribing you the medications they see fit.

You could then use these prescriptions to fill your order at a Canadian pharmacy.

One of the biggest drawbacks to this option is that many US insurance providers don’t offer coverage for these visits.

So while the prescription medication may be drastically cheaper, your cost per visit could vary from a US-based doctor’s visit where you would only pay a small copay.

Because of this, many people prefer this next route instead.

#2: Use Your US Doctor’s Prescription in Conjunction with a Prescription Referral Company

An alternative option is to get most of the heavy lifting done in the states.

By this, we mean that you’d visit your normal, primary care doctor as usual and s/he would provide the prescriptions you need to treat your conditions.

But instead of handing off the prescription to a local pharmacy, your doctor would send it to a Canadian pharmacy.

From there, you can use a prescription referral company such as ours to help complete the transaction.

With this, our team of doctors will review your US-based prescription, along with your medical records, and then, once approved, we’ll write you a prescription that’s valid at a Canadian pharmacy.

The difference between this route is that you can help keep your costs down on both ends, prescriptions and doctor visits.

Instead of using a Canadian doctor and paying for a visit that may not be covered under your insurance, you can continue to see your usual in-network provider and pay the same copay as you normally would.

And when it comes time to fill your medication, you can then move on to using a Canadian pharmacy, instead of one locally, which will help cut your costs further.

In many cases, it’s cheaper to use a Canadian pharmacy, even if your insurance doesn’t cover it.

Plus, you’ll also save time with this route since you won’t have to spend countless hours sifting through Canadian doctors trying to find one who will work with you and one that you would feel comfortable with.

You also don’t have to lose that rapport you’ve built with your current provider either.

By this point, another common question that comes up here is: What about using a pharmacy online in the states? Can’t I just save money doing that?

To answer this, it pays to have a better understanding of the difference between:

Using a Pharmacy Online vs Visiting an Online Pharmacy

It may sound similar at first but there are some key differences between the two.

Local chains like CVS, Walgreens, and Costco, for example, offer their customers the convenience of ordering their prescriptions online.

This is known as using a pharmacy online. Instead of visiting their local pharmacy branch, you could plug in your information online or sign into your online account to refill your prescription electronically. When your medication is ready, you have the option to pick up the prescription in store or have it sent to your home address.

Your insurance provider may have also incentivized mail-order prescriptions by offering you a small discount when you choose this route.

The problem is that online prescription drug rates aren’t much cheaper than what you’d find in person. So this is essentially just another way to use your pharmacy.

On the flipside, with an online pharmacy, there are usually no physical locations (similar to Ally bank or 1-800 Contacts) or expensive overhead costs which gives these companies the ability to pass the cost savings down to its customers.

And that’s not all. Online pharmacies are also generally located in countries that have universal healthcare, or more affordable options, such as Canada.

These prescription drugs sold from online Canadian pharmacies can be as much as 80% off.

So while your insurance provider is offering a small discount to use their preferred pharmacies online, you may see a significantly lower price tag when you use an online Canadian pharmacy instead.

Online pharmacies also work well for people who are prescribed medications that their insurance doesn’t cover.

Your doctor may be partial to a specific and expensive drug and if your insurance doesn’t accept it or offer a generic alternative, you could be stuck paying a high out of pocket cost.

But, if you turned to a Canadian pharmacy, you wouldn’t need your insurance and the prescription may end up only costing a fraction of your full-priced US version.

Plus, you can even also use RX coupons on popular medications, saving you even more money.

Keep in mind, since the FDA cannot regulate companies outside of its US jurisdiction, it’s up to you to do your research and find a reputable online pharmacy worth using.

There are many “rogue” online pharmacies out there that may not be safe to use so it’s worth spending the extra time doing your homework here.

Fortunately, this guide on the topic can help you do just that and shows you how to avoid scams and sift through Canadian pharmacy reviews to find trustworthy companies to use.

Get an Online Prescription from a Canadian Pharmacy Today

Now that you have a better understanding of what it takes to fill your prescription medications using a Canadian pharmacy, you can start saving money today.

To do that, be sure to check out a list of our most popular RX coupons first or browse through our complete list of medications available in Canada, where drugs are much more affordable.

It’s also a good idea to browse through multiple Canadian pharmacy reviews to get a better idea of any company you choose before making a purchase. Be sure to check out our guide on the topic for more information.

Understanding Healthcare in Canada: Why Prescription Drugs Prices are Cheaper

Author Vanessa, posted on September 19, 2018

Category: Drug Information

Do you wish your prescription drugs were cheaper to fill?

In a recent Kaiser Health Survey, 80% of Americans said the costs associated with prescription medications were “unreasonable,” and that the government is “not doing enough” to help remedy the situation by reducing drug costs.

What’s even scarier is that 1 in 4 people reported having trouble simply affording their medications.

Yet just north of the US border in Canada, the picture is completely different.

A whopping 86.2% of Canadian citizens surveyed admitted that they would rather strengthen their public healthcare system instead of converting it to a for-profit one like the US has.

That’s probably because 85.2% of people in Canada over the age of 15 are “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with their healthcare system.

So why are these views so different between these two neighboring countries?

The healthcare system of each country is at the root of the matter, which is exactly what we’ll discuss here. While we won’t get into politics or any debates, we’ll show you why it’s cheaper in Canada to buy prescription drugs than it is in the US — and what you can do about it.

Let’s start by understanding the sheer magnitude of the situation to put everything in perspective first.

Prescription Drug Prices in Canada vs the United States

If you thought the price of your prescription medications is already too high, you may be surprised to learn the real price difference when compared to those in Canada is even more astronomical.

Using four popular name-brand prescription medications, you’ll see that:

A prescription of three Advair Diskus sells for roughly $1,227 in the United States. In Canada, the same drug sells for $450.00 for 3 Diskus — a difference of over $750.
Celebrex sells for $18 per pill in the US. A Canadian pharmacy would only charge around $1.64 per dose.
Eliquis also has a striking price difference with an average cost of $424.65 for 60 tablets in the US and just $150 for the same amount in Canada.
The blood sugar medication Januvia has a price tag of $435.14 for 30 tablets in the US and only $140 in Canada — an almost $300 upcharge.

These medications are used to treat a variety of different conditions — such as asthma, arthritis, strokes, and diabetes — which shows these high prices aren’t just affecting one sector of prescription medicines or a small slice of the population.

So the question then becomes: Why are the prices for prescription medications so outrageous in the United States?

It all comes down to one big difference in the way our healthcare is managed.

Universal Healthcare & Prescription Drug Prices: Here’s Why Drugs are Cheaper in Canada

You’re probably already familiar with how health care works in the states.

Individuals pay a monthly premium to a private healthcare insurance provider in return for a certain amount of medical coverage.

Certain factors depend on how much you pay for your coverage, such as:

Where you live
Your income
How you’re obtaining coverage (such as through an employer or an individual plan)
How high you want your deductible to be
The amount of insurance you’re looking for

Each of these choices will determine how expensive your monthly premium will be.

Medicare, the federal health insurance program, is generally used instead of other private healthcare plans for those over 65, people with disabilities, and anyone else who is retired and on a fixed income.

In both cases, the amount you pay for coverage is determined by the level of coverage you can afford.

However, this is not the case here in Canada where drugs and important medical services are covered by a universal healthcare system.

With this federal system, our government works on behalf of its citizens to set realistic prices for prescriptions and other healthcare services.

So when a drug manufacturer tries to pitch a prescription that’s too expensive, our drug review agency, known as the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB), will refuse its approval for sale until the price comes down.

Not only that, the same board also informs Canadian citizens of upcoming prescription trends so they’re not hit with unexpected price increases out of nowhere.

The PMPRB also regularly checks these prices to ensure they’re still at a fair market value.

They even compare these prices to those in other countries to gauge whether it is fair relative throughout the world, not just locally in Canada and compared to the US.

Since many drug manufacturers don’t want to lose Canada’s business, they generally work out lower rates to sell the same medications you’re buying in America for much less across the border.

This system is similar to how Medicare operates since the federal government runs it — but it’s very different in application due to its cost structure.

Instead of lobbying on behalf of individuals, Medicare is forbidden by law to interfere with any negotiations between drug makers and insurance companies.

And once a price is set, Medicare tacks on another 6% to help offset the reimbursement costs to doctors which means individuals are responsible for about 20% of the cost of the medication.

So if a medicine ends up being around $1,000 per prescription, a Medicare payee would be responsible for $200 if they don’t have any other coverage options.

And this isn’t the only aspect hurting Americans. Canada’s buying power also works in your favor too.

In the states, insurance providers, hospitals, and other medical facilities all compete with drug manufacturers to come up with a rate that’s affordable to their needs. This means the price varies based on a company’s buying power.

So a small hospital in a rural part of Alabama may pay more than a hospital in New York pays, for example, simply because their volume needs are much lower. And just like bulk discount at the grocery store, prescription medications work the same way here.

In Canada, drug manufacturers only have to negotiate with a smaller pool: the government.

Since they don’t have as much flexibility with the price, they either agree to the Canadian government’s terms or their product loses out on an entire population, which most manufacturers wouldn’t dare to do.

It’s a combination of these reasons and more which are to blame for why prescription medications in the states are exceptionally high even on Medicare.

While it may take several years for the United States to adopt a similar system of universal healthcare (a conversation for a different day), you don’t have to wait that long.

As a US citizen, you can take advantage of a small portion of this universal healthcare by ordering your prescription medications from an online Canadian pharmacy.

Save Money On Your Prescription Medications

We’re not suggesting you jump in your car and cross the border for free healthcare, however, you can do something else to save money.

By ordering your prescription medications online, through a trusted Canadian pharmacy, you’ll be able to save up to 80% off — even before any RX coupons are applied to your order.

Current estimates report that as many as 5 million Americans have already purchased drugs outside of the United States.

Even further, a recent survey discovered that when asked how people think providers should keep medical costs down:

86% of people surveyed want drug manufacturers to show the breakdown of their drug prices.
82% want Medicare to be able to negotiate for lower prices.
71% would like to be able to buy their prescription medications from Canada.

Buying prescriptions across the border isn’t the only international health trend growing in popularity though.

Many people are also physically traveling to other countries to seek medical treatment based on these internationally low medical costs.

What is Medical Tourism?

The term medical tourism means exactly what it sounds like.

Medical tourism is when people travel from their home country to another to receive medical, dental, and/or surgical procedures and treatments.

People embark on these medical journeys for different reasons.

Some are looking for more affordable health care options while others need to receive specialized treatments they may not have access to or be able to afford in their homeland.

It’s estimated that between 14-16 million people cross international borders for medical tourism purposes.

And the average cost per medical tourism visit ranges from $3,800 to $6,000.

Roughly 1.4 million Americans will travel each year for medical tourism and the industry is predicted to grow by an average of 15-25% per year.

It’s clear to see international borders are not stopping people from receiving the medical care they need at a price they can afford.

But you don’t have to leave your home to save money when you buy prescription drugs from Canada online.

Are You Ready to Save on Your Prescription Drug Prices?

While we can’t help you with medical tourism, we can offer you lower rates on the same prescription medications you’ll find at your local pharmacy in the states.

Our rates are up to 80% off for certain prescriptions — even compared to prices you’ll pay after Medicare.

Browse our complete list of medications today to see what’s available with a prescription to US citizens just like you.

Pharmacy Coupons and Insurance: What’s Covered, What’s Not?

Author Vanessa, posted on September 12, 2018

Category: Ordering Questions

Can pharmacy coupons really help you save money on your prescription drug costs?

And will you be able to combine pharmacy coupons with your US-based medical insurance to purchase your prescriptions and medication refills from an online Canadian pharmacy ?

If these questions have been on your mind, this resource will give you all the answers you need. We’ll cover:

Whether a Canadian pharmacy accepts US-based insurance
How to save money on prescriptions despite your coverage plan
The truth about how pharmacy coupons work
Tips to help you reduce your out-of-pocket expenses even more

Can You Use Your US-Based Insurance to Cover the Costs of Prescriptions in Canada?

While your doctor’s prescription is the same whether you’re filling it in the states or in Canada, the case is different when it comes to your insurance.

US-based and other international healthcare plans are not accepted in Canada, which means you are responsible for the total cost of your prescription at check out.

However, you may be eligible for reimbursement depending on your insurance plan’s terms.

This is why we always include a detailed receipt with every order, which can then be submitted to your healthcare provider to see if they’ll pick up the difference.

To find out if your insurance plan covers medication reimbursement, you’ll need to contact your specific provider and discuss your plan’s fine print. Don’t get too discouraged if you find out your insurance plan won’t cover the costs of your prescriptions if you fill them in Canada.

Many prescription medications are drastically cheaper — in some cases up to 80% off — across the northern border.

And that means you may be able to save money on your prescriptions without your insurance company’s help.

How to Save Money on Prescriptions by Using Pharmacy Coupons

As we talked about in this guide, the costs associated with prescriptions in the United States only continues to grow without any signs of stopping.

But that’s not the case in Canada.

Thanks to universal healthcare in Canada, prescriptions and other healthcare related expenses are kept at a reasonable and affordable rate.

And these reduced prices on prescriptions aren’t just for Canadian citizens either.

As a US citizen, you can purchase your prescription medications for your own use in Canada.

So while the same EpiPen may cost you over $600 in the US — and after insurance pays their portion — you’ll only pay around $100 using a Canadian pharmacy.

And this is just the out-of-pocket cost due at checkout.

If your insurance covers medication reimbursement, your cost could be even lower.

This is why so many Americans are turning to Canada drugs when it’s time to refill their prescriptions instead of using their local pharmacy in the neighborhood.

With online Canadian pharmacies, you’ll find the same name-brand medications and generic prescriptions you’ll find at home, just for up to 80% off.

Again, this huge cost difference is without using insurance.

Another option to offset your out-of-pocket expenses that may not be reimbursed by your insurance provider is to search for and use pharmacy coupons.

Save Even More Money With Pharmacy Coupons

If you’re a first-time buyer, you can take advantage of eligible RX coupons to help you lower the cost of your medications further.

This one-time discount is applied right at checkout once the coupon code is entered.

So if your first-time order meets the minimum requirement of $50.00, you can save even more money by using one of our coupons for our 17 top-selling medications.

Now if you do decide to use one of those RX coupons, you may be wondering:

Can You Pair Prescription Coupons with Your Insurance Coverage?

RX coupons are applied to your order at checkout.

Since Canadian pharmacies don’t accept US-based or international healthcare insurance plans, you cannot use your coverage to pay for any part of your prescription costs during the online purchase.

However, certain insurance companies may provide reimbursement for your medications when you order them from an online Canadian pharmacy.

Your pharmacy coupon will be instantly applied to your order at checkout to lower your total amount.

Once your prescription is paid for, you can then submit the total amount from your receipt to your insurance provider to see if they’ll cover it.

Since it comes off the total before your insurance pays (again, if they do), you can technically combine your pharmacy coupon with your insurance plan’s reimbursement to pay even less for prescriptions than you are now. In some cases, the coupon may also help you meet the reimbursement requirements so you can get complete coverage.

The RX coupons are applied to your order regardless of whether your insurance picks up all, part, or none of the tab.

Find a Canadian Pharmacy that Price Matches

Here at PricePro Pharmacy, we believe everyone has the right to access affordable prescription drugs.

And while our prices are usually the lowest out there, you may come across one that’s even more affordable.

If that’s the case, and the price quote adheres to the following standards, we’ll price match it to ensure you get the lowest possible rate without sacrificing on quality or safety.

To be eligible for a prescription price match:

The pharmacy with the lower price must be accredited and licensed
Shipping fees must also be included in the total price you’re quoted
Competitor promotions and specials are excluded
Price quotes must be provided and valid at the time you’ll be placing an order
Competitor products must also be in stock
They must also ship to the US

If your price meets that criteria, we’ll help you save even more money on your prescription medications.

Save Money on Your Prescription Medications Today

By ordering your refills for prescription medications using an online Canadian pharmacy, you may be able to slash your out-of-pocket expenses by as much as 80% in some cases.

So even if your insurance doesn’t cover medication reimbursements, you’ll still save significantly more than using your insurance coverage to purchase your prescriptions from a pharmacy in the states.

And if you are covered for reimbursements, you may not pay much at all for the same name-brand or generic prescriptions you know and are used to taking.

This saves you money in the long run and ensures your 3-month supply isn’t too much of a financial hit in the short term either.

So if you’re ready to start saving money on your medications, check out our list of RX coupons now.