If you have been suffering from allergies or know a loved one who does, you probably know all about EpiPens. Recently EpiPens have come under a lot of debate as they were recalled and their prices have gone extremely high and some health insurance not covering them. This has caused a lot of stress and frustration to the patients. We have gathered information from few sources which can help you claim Epi Pens for free or at least get a good discount on them.
Epinephrine is the only life-saving treatment available for severe allergic reaction known as “anaphylaxis.” People with food allergies rely heavily on this prescription drug (epinephrine) which comes in the form of two auto-injectors in a set. There are more commonly known as Epi Pens and always come in a pack because some people require a second dose within 15-30 minutes.
If you ever had to buy an EpiPen out of your own pocket, you must be aware that it can cost hundreds of dollars annually. The price of Epi pens in 2009 was around $100 for two pack carton, but since pharmaceutical giant Mylan acquired EpiPen, the prices have increased dramatically over the last few years. Today the EpiPen costs somewhere between $600-650 for two Epi Pens in a set.
According to Dr. Jacqueline Eghrari, “the difference between having an Epi Pen and not having one is life and death.” Anaphylaxis requires immediate medical attention, and Epi Pens buys you just enough time until you get to the hospital.
We are glad to report that the manufacturers of epinephrine auto-injectors have extended their savings programs in the United States through 2017. Which means that there are various options available for you, which allow you to either claim an Epi Pen for free or get it at a reduced price.
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Claim your EpiPen Savings Card
It’s not always simple paying for as many Epi Pens as you need knowing that the co-pay alone can be expensive. You can get free EpiPens by clicking here and fill out a form. You will receive a My EpiPens Savings Card if you are eligible which can help you save up to $300 on each EpiPen 2 Pak carton. This savings card is reusable for up to six EpiPen 2 Pak cartons.
Check your Health Insurance
I always check which medicines or drugs are covered by my health insurance and it’s recommended that you have complete knowledge about yours too. Some of us might be fortunate to have insurance plans which cover EpiPens. Although the retail price of an EpiPen set is $600, your insurance carrier might cover a significant portion of it.
Let’s say, for example, your insurance covers half the cost, and you have registered yourself for the EpiPen Savings Card then you get another $300 off. So, you end up paying nothing or next to nothing for your EpiPen set.
75% off Discount Code
The usual cost of EpiPen is approximately about $600 for a set of two pens. But with the Helprx discount code, you can get 75% off on the cost. You need to log on to Helprx website here and click on the get free coupon button. You will be redirected to the next page where you will receive your unique discount code. You can either download, print or text message this code. And next time you visit the pharmacy you can show this code to receive your discount.
The reason I like this website is that there is no need to sign up! And it mentions that the discount code never expires! And you can redeem this voucher at any of the big pharmacies including CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, Walmart, and RiteAid.
This is helpful if you can’t find any free epi pens or you want to keep an extra set but are worried about the costs. It is entirely up to you how many sets of Epi pens you want to redeem with this discount code. We don’t recommend buying more than two sets as Epi Pens expire within a year.
Related: The Hidden Truth About Taking Expired Medications
Reclaiming your Free EpiPen Replacement
EpiPen maker Mylan announced the recall of 13 lots of defective Epi Pens which were distributed in the United States between December 2015- July 2016. These EpiPens had a defective part which could compromise the pen’s ability to deliver a shot of epinephrine correctly.
If you were one of the unlucky people to have bought the defective EpiPen, then we can help you get a replacement free of cost. Simply follow the steps given below.
- First of all, check your epi pen to determine if it is indeed involved in the recall. You can check for the following:
- If the numbers match, then you have an epi pen that has the defective part. You need to call on 877-650-3494 and give them the NDC, lot number and expiration date.
- The customer service agent will simply verify the details and email you a voucher.
- You can take the voucher to your local pharmacy, and you will receive your brand-new Epi pen for free!
Apply for Mylan’s Patient Assistance Program
Mylan has an EpiPen patient assistance program which provides free or low-cost injectors to people with financial hardships. However, you need to qualify according to Mylan’s own criteria. You need to be a citizen of the United States, have no prescription insurance coverage and make below 400% of the federal poverty line.
Finally, Don’t Give Up until You Get an EpiPen
You should exhaust every option you have until you get an EpiPen. You should not sit around wondering if you need one if you are prone to allergies. Make sure you talk to your doctor on your next appointment so he can give you information about different coupons, price assistance programs, and grants to cut the cost on your EpiPens.
Doctors sometimes get free samples from EpiPen reps, which is an option you can explore if you are suffering from financial hardship. Doctor’s obviously cannot do this for every patient, but it’s worth a try.
Last but not the least, when arriving at the pharmacy, come prepared with your savings card and insurance information and always double check that the discount is applied each time you use them.
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There are cheaper alternatives to EpiPen. I got an AuviQ two pack and trainer for free. My insurance covered the whole thing…
Today many people must use Insulin for the treatment of Diabetes. They may use auto-injectors that they fill themselves, or merely give their own shots. Either way is as quick and simple as the Epinephrine shots using the EpiPen. Epinephrine has gotten very expensive, but there is a much less expensive option. One that only costs about $3.00 per shot. Seldom is this ever talked about, but used to be the norm, and mentioned a lot. Adrenalin! Epinephrine IS Adrenalin! It is not something different. The Epinephrine name was an invention of the company that invented the EpiPen. The auto injector went over so well that the name became first most in the minds of almost everyone. The actual name of the product (Adrenalin) was almost lost in the hype of the EpiPen.
I have been a licensed medic for over forty years. I remember the time before Epinephrine. I think it is high time for people to look into the auto injectors available for diabetics, and the cost of Adrenalin for personal use to treat anaphylaxis. They can learn how to fill the proper dose of Adrenalin just as do those using Insulin.
thank you.
Another pharmaceutical company ripping off America. One day they were twenty bucks and over night viola $600.
Thank YOU TrumpNocare
Why would you blame this on Trump? The price has been increasing steadily throughout Obama’s debacle.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/08/23/epipens-steady-price-increases-masked-until-deductibles-rose/89123786/
Trump isn’t helping or fixing the situation. Still this falls on Trump. He owns it now.
Trump doesn’t own it. The gov’t has no business being in health care. The solution is the free market. If you weren’t so ignorant you’d read the other comments and see better priced alternatives.
Of course Trump owns it. He ran on a platform that included lowering Rx prices: https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2018/7/13/17562738/trump-pfizer-prescription-drug-prices
The price sky rocketed after Obama care sweetie. Look it up before you start with the orange man had routine. Politicians are just that – many ticks!
I’m a pharmacist and the discount card mentioned in this article is a scam. For cheap generic prices, you might get a low price, but for $600 medication, who is going to pay the pharmacy on your behalf? These discount cards give you a price a little bit better than the full cash price, then collect a billing fee from the pharmacy for processing. Then the discount card sells your information about who, what and where you are from. Stick to Goodrx.com. You can compare competitors and even use this list to see if your pharmacy will match a competitor’s price. I try to extend this courtesy to all of my patients.
Wish I had read this excellent article before school started. Last year we were robbed of $600 for an EpiPen Jr. The $300 we paid this year was better, but was still painful. I will be better prepared next year. Thank you!
Finding Adrenalin itself these days may be difficult as most pharmacies know the new trend is to go immediately to the trade name of Epinephrine. However, If you do as Pharmer Joe (above) suggests and go to the Goodrx site you will find where you can buy a twin pack of generic pens for much less. One product given is from Target (CVS). The price is $185 each pack. Here is what is given about the name, and the product.
“Adrenaclick
Epinephrine (Adrenaclick)
Epinephrine (Adrenaclick) is an expensive drug used for the emergency treatment of severe allergic reactions. You should keep this medicine with you at all times. This drug is slightly less popular than comparable drugs. It is available in brand and generic versions. Alternate brands include EpiPen and EpiPen Jr. Generic epinephrine is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower. The lowest GoodRx price for the most common version of epinephrine (Adrenaclick) is around $109.99, 62% off the average retail price of $295.10.”
This makes the cost of $185.11 the total for these pens.
Read my post to David (above), but an added post here should explain more of the issue from Consumer Reports.
“In most states, to get the low-cost, EpiPen alternative, you can’t use a prescription for “EpiPen” from your doctor. That’s because pharmacists at your drugstore likely won’t be able to automatically substitute the low-cost version if your prescription is written for EpiPen. Instead, ask your doctor to write a prescription for an “epinephrine auto-injector” or “generic Adrenaclick.”
The prices jumped over 400% after Mylan purchased
the Epi company.
Added from Consumer Reports:
“Since Mylan purchased EpiPen in 2007, it poured billions of dollars into a robust marketing campaign aimed at making EpiPen a household name. Last year, doctors wrote 3.6 million prescriptions for EpiPen and EpiPen Jr, according to healthcare data company IMS Health—7 percent more than in 2014. Given EpiPen’s reputation as the leading treatment for life-threatening anaphylaxis, coupled with last year’s recall of its main competitor, Auvi Q, and the otherwise low profile of alternative options, skepticism about non-EpiPen auto-injectors from consumers and doctors alike is not all that surprising. But while EpiPen and generic Adrenaclick are not the same device or delivery system, they both contain the drug epinephrine in the same dosage.”
Many of the coupons available are only good if you already have commercial prescription insurance. You can’t use these discount coupons if you don’t have some kind of prescription insurance in place. Makes them pretty much useless for those of us who are generally healthy, don’t usually take medications but pays cash when needed, and now need an EpiPen.
Agree – for the uninsured, just about none of this helps.
Before I was eligible for Medicare I took advantage of this coupon. I paid $0.for the epi pen. This benefits people with absolutely no insurance. If you have Medicare or Medicaid, you are SOL.
Hey would like no more about the free Epipen
Well, you actually aren’t getting it for free – you already paid for it when they sold you the faulty one therefore making you think you’re getting it for free.