Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: Natalya on February 19, 2019, 06:37:33 PM

Title: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: Natalya on February 19, 2019, 06:37:33 PM
Where you usually buy Estrogen? i inject Estradiol Valerate or Delestrogen. Usually I bought it Philadelphia at Mazzini center in Walgreens, and I paid $27-30 for refills. Now I moved to California and went to Walgreens and they asked $450. I don't sure I'll have insurance in future, but it very expensive for me. Maybe somebody tried to order estogen online, maybe from India? Please telll about your experience. Is it legal if I have real prescriptions from real doctor?
Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: Sydney_NYC on February 19, 2019, 08:11:12 PM
Mazzoni has a special deal with Walgreens as the cost is subsidized by state and federal programs due to Mazzoni being a non-profit. Without the subsidies, the wholesale cost is about $320 a vial. It's gone up by 300% in the last 2-3 years and there are fewer makers of it now.

A cheaper alternative is to use a compounding pharmacy. I use Anazao Health and a vial is about $68 each (plus shipping). The only thing is that you have to adjust the amount you inject as the vials are 30mg/mL instead of 20 or 40, but it's no big deal. (I can't post the website per site rules but you can Google them.) You can fax the prescription to (800) 238-8239‬ then wait a few hours and call them at (800) 723-7455‬ and they will do your first order over the phone. (They ship from Tampa, FL, and Las Vegas, NV) They will also set up your online access where you can order refills online.
Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: AoifeB on February 19, 2019, 08:40:01 PM
I'll vouch for goodrx. Haven't needed it for estradiol, but a few years ago my girlfriend's meds were gonna be astronomical while we were without insurance. Goodrx got it from the hundreds to $20.
Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: LauraE on February 19, 2019, 09:26:41 PM
Without a doubt, Good RX is the best way to find the lowest prices for prescriptions that aren't covered by insurance.
Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: AnneK on February 19, 2019, 09:43:10 PM
When I get started, the prescription will cost me $4.11 for whatever the quantity is, thanks to the drug plan here.
Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: Natalya on February 19, 2019, 10:59:47 PM
Quote from: Sydney_NYC on February 19, 2019, 08:11:12 PM
Mazzoni has a special deal with Walgreens as the cost is subsidized by state and federal programs due to Mazzoni being a non-profit. Without the subsidies, the wholesale cost is about $320 a vial. It's gone up by 300% in the last 2-3 years and there are fewer makers of it now.

A cheaper alternative is to use a compounding pharmacy. I use Anazao Health and a vial is about $68 each (plus shipping). The only thing is that you have to adjust the amount you inject as the vials are 30mg/mL instead of 20 or 40, but it's no big deal. (I can't post the website per site rules but you can Google them.) You can fax the prescription to (800) 238-8239‬ then wait a few hours and call them at (800) 723-7455‬ and they will do your first order over the phone. (They ship from Tampa, FL, and Las Vegas, NV) They will also set up your online access where you can order refills online.

Thank you, I found website, but I afraid I can not make phone order with my English:( I write much better then speak:) But I'll ask somebody to help if not find another way

About GoodRx, I saw this website, but I didn't thought  it really worked. I got minimal price $43 for vial. I'll try to buy it with coupon tomorrow.
Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: Natalya on February 20, 2019, 06:57:31 PM
GoodRx no working, I have prescriptions in Walgreens, GoodRX gave price $53 for vial, but in farmacy when I showed coupon gave me just small discount :(
Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: CindyLouFromCO on February 20, 2019, 07:40:11 PM
You might want to try another pharmacy.  Maybe someone there is making a mistake.
Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: Kate.claire on February 20, 2019, 08:03:38 PM
Wow, I'm feeling ripped off, paying out of pocket until I catch up in Kaiser's gatekeeping.  Went to CVS because it's down the street,  but I'm paying $255 for a 20 week supply of EV from Perrin. Patches before that were $82 a month for effectively lower doses.
Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: jill610 on February 20, 2019, 08:10:52 PM
I have Caremark insurance (CVS) and delestrogen as brand name, uncovered, is $187 a vial as of about a year ago so it may be higher. I would suggest you ask what discounts they offer and if you have insurance, argue for coverage if no generic is available (I got Caremark to cover delestrogen last year at the generic rate due to the shortage of the generic).

As of 12/2018, the generic is available again, so maybe try getting your hands on that instead.

Also, it seems that grocery store pharmacies are often more likely to work with you if you are off insurance. I have a couple tier 3 prescriptions that are not covered (like finesteride) and Wegmans of all places seems to be the lowest cost near me. As others have said definitely shop around and do not hesitate to ask for a lower price.

As others also mentioned, Mazzoni is subsidized since it's charter is to serve the uninsured and poor.
Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: anne_indy on February 20, 2019, 09:33:28 PM
I agree with what Jill said. I buy my HRT meds without insurance and use CVS. I have found that they work with me to get the best price they can give me. While it's not cheap, I also don't consider it outrageously expensive.


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Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: Natalya on February 21, 2019, 12:15:38 PM
Thank you! I'll try visit another pharmacy. But I affraid for me will be better return to Pennsylvania then pay extremely high prices. I never had insurance and I don't sure I can get it somewhere. Today I got email from Covered California what I'm denied from Medi-Cal, but I eligible for that as low income person.
Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: V M on March 06, 2019, 01:01:38 PM
I think I use to pay about $30 a month until my insurance kicked in and the pharmacy has free delivery  ;D
Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: Natalya on March 09, 2019, 01:13:26 PM
Quote from: V M on March 06, 2019, 01:01:38 PM
I think I use to pay about $30 a month until my insurance kicked in and the pharmacy has free delivery  ;D

Maybe it was long time ago, but now it much more expensive in any pharmacy. But I found way to order it from outside US. This is the best way for me now.
Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: ChrissyRyan on March 09, 2019, 03:53:29 PM
Quote from: V M on March 06, 2019, 01:01:38 PM
I think I use to pay about $30 a month until my insurance kicked in and the pharmacy has free delivery  ;D


Free delivery sounds good!


Chrissy
Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: JessGK on May 12, 2019, 10:20:20 AM
Quote from: Natalya on February 19, 2019, 06:37:33 PM
Where you usually buy Estrogen? i inject Estradiol Valerate or Delestrogen. Usually I bought it Philadelphia at Mazzini center in Walgreens, and I paid $27-30 for refills. Now I moved to California and went to Walgreens and they asked $450. I don't sure I'll have insurance in future, but it very expensive for me. Maybe somebody tried to order estogen online, maybe from India? Please telll about your experience. Is it legal if I have real prescriptions from real doctor?

You can try to order it from Online pharmacy (https://www.canadadrugsdirect.com/online-pharmacy/) from Canada. As for me, I was very afraid of ordering drugs online but I was suggested to try to order from Canada as this country is a big manufacturer of meds and the quality of drugs is better than from India. I checked for Estradiol for you and it's $120. And yes, it's legal and you'll need a prescription.
Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: AnneK on May 12, 2019, 10:47:42 AM
I get my Estradiol from Wally Mart.  Since I'm on the Ontario drug benefit plan, I only pay the $4.11 dispensing fee, no matter how many pills I get.
Title: Re: Estrogen prescriptions
Post by: Kate.claire on May 12, 2019, 06:50:50 PM
Yes,  finally ran out of my old prescription and picked up my new one from Kaiser.  Think it was around $10 for exact same formulation and manufacturer   Happy girl!