Hydrocodone now Tier 3?
 

Hello all -
Been a while since posting but always come to read and learn. My wife, age 58, has had RSD in her left hand, arm, and shoulder for going on 10 years. The only medication that really works for her is Hyrdocodone. She has tried others but does not like the feel of being totally out of it. She is tough and manages with the Hydrocodone. Lyrica made her ill, morphine made her a zombie. Her injury was work related so she is on SSD and Medicare. Her Hydrocodone was $6 a month and in January shot up to $31.50. Anyone else see this change? She is on AARP Secure Horizones. Any other plans still have this on a lowerw tier or is this how the government is going to finance the national debt? After all, she got an $11 raise in benefits but Medicare went up $14 a month. Some raise.

Anyway, are there others pain meds similar that may still be Tier 2?
Thanks all. This forum is a wonderful wealth of info and a lifesaver to many.

Has she looked into Medicares Extra Help program for prescriptions. Very easy to apply on SSA website n id be lost without it!!!! Lifesaver!!!!! U pay extremely low copays n when you hit the donut hole instead of being in trouble n having to pay full price......you pay $0...... Worth looking into n very simple to apply online. Hope this helps. How much help you receive is dependent upon amount receive in SSD payment.

also- Free Medicine Programs
http://psychcentral.com/resources/Me...cine_Programs/

Are you sure it was $6 last January? Her deductible would have reset Jan 1st.

But if it was a work injury, why isn't this being paid by WC?

Vicodin? Is this the form she uses?

If so Vicodin was reformulated by Abbott to contain only 300mg of Tylenol. Because of this change, generics cannot be substituted for less cost. The only generic available is the old form which if the doctor writes "hydrocodone with acetaminophen 500mg" she may get the old generic form at the lower cost.

Using the old name Vicodin only will only lead for now to a brand name and a much higher tier and copay.

It looks like there are FDA approved generics listed at the Orange Book at FDA.gov but they may not be available yet?
Norco is another brand, with hydrocodone and lower Tylenol (325mg), and can be written for in the appropriate dose and still get the generic copay.

It is best to discuss with your pharmacist the details, of this change and what exactly that store carries so you can get the generic copay again. It is pretty complicated and confusing.
Once you get the pharmacist advice, then take that to your doctor.

If this is not the specific reason for your copay increase, then it is an insurance thing to help reduce diversion and abuse. Hydrocodone was at one time and may still be the most desired, diverted and stolen narcotic.