A Wal-Mart tale.

[Texasgal]

My husband was just recently diagnosed with steroid induced diabetes. It's a very long story, but he was just recently hospitalized with a blood sugar of 658. He is currently on a liver/kidney transplant list.

So, we need insulin. We get an RX called into CVS we have an obamacare plan that requires CVS.

CVS wants 190.00 for the 70/30 insulin and 249.00 for the slow acting insulin. Syringes *100* 40.70 and test strips *100* 87.00. Lets add that up? Almost 500.00 for a MONTH worth of life saving insulin drugs and supply. WITH insurance.

So let's cue the diabetic educator at the hospital. Wal-mart sells a vial of 70/30 with no RX for 25.00. I head straight over there, one box of 100 syringes 12.89. NO insurance.

What the hell is wrong with this picture? Yes, I hate Wal-mart...but dammit! 25.00 insulin and 12.89 syringes? I feel as though CVS is price gouging!

I'm gonna have to bite the bullet on the long acting insulin and have found some coupons that will help with cost, but why can't CVS offer that?

I have a feeling that I am going to HAVE to start a relationship with Wally-World. As much as I hate to admit it, they saved my ass. UGH!

[GReedDiamond]

1. If it's any consolation to you...

...that's pretty much the best reason I've ever heard for shopping at walmart.

You gotta do what ya gotta do...so do it and don't worry about it.

And, I hope your husband is feeling and doing better, asap.

[Texasgal]

2. Thank you!

It is quite annoying though and I feel like I've been fucked over by CVS. Maddening!

[GReedDiamond]

4. Yes, it is extremely annoying, I have no doubt...

...but until access to basic health care and patients' needs are no longer run by for-profit insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, etc, we'll all be getting annoyed - or worse - at some point.

That's one reason why I am backing Bernie.

[malaise]

17. You are but remember

they care about profits not people

[justhanginon]

3. If you have a Costco in your area you might want to check

their prices. You don't need a Costco card for prescriptions and they are competitive on a lot of drug prices. My best to both you and your husband.

[Chellee]

6. I second this.

Costco is fabulous for prescriptions. They are also good for gas prices and contact lenses. For the gas, at least, you need to be member.

[BlueSpot]

10. I was going to recommend Costco too

Just tell the card checker guy that you're going to the pharmacy and they'll wave you right on in. Just be sure and check on how you can pay. Not sure about now but about 10 years ago it was only AmEx or cash if you weren't a member. You can ask when you drop off the script.

[TexasProgresive]

5. I'm sorry to hear about your husband developing diabetes

I'm on Medicare and because of the high cost of basal (long lasting) insulin I rand into the "donut hole" last year, but had no need for more insulin at that time. I buy my syringes at HEB, they are really inexpensive-I forget how much for a box. I use a TrueTrack meter with strips from Amazon

True Track Meter, 100 True Track Strips, 100 30g Lancets, Lancing Device, 100 Alcohol Prep Pads
http://www.amazon.com/Strips-Lancets-Lancing-Device-Alcohol/dp/B00RIYV3GG/ref=sr_1_2_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1457323590&sr=8-2&keywords=TrueTrack+meter

TRUEtrack Blood Glucose Test Strips, 100-Count $15.50 (this has gone down 2 bucks since I last ordered)
http://www.amazon.com/TRUEtrack-Glucose-Strips-100-Count-Packaging/dp/B007AZ6E12/ref=pd_bxgy_121_img_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0DTQ3CWJ12WYRQGQB000

I have been living with it for 23 years and it is a real life changer. Has the doc said that his condition may be temporary or is he on long term steroid use? I had a spike in BG from using a corticosteroid cream on my neck for a week. I couldn't figure out what caused it. When it went back to normal after I ceased using the cream a light bulb went off.

In any case you and your husband might want to visit this site. There's lots of good info from people who are diabetics including how to eat to lower BG.

http://www.diabeticconnect.com/

[Texasgal]

9. Thank you!

Yes... this is most likely temporary unless his pancreas has been forever damaged.

I was in an emergency need. Thank you for the links, we are a fish out of water here... I hope we can get back to normal soon!

[Jim Beard]

11. Medicare pays for my test strips and meter.

[WillowTree]

7. See if you can get your test strips on eBay.

I have a diabetic cat. She's in remission now, thank Heaven, but still needs to be tested periodically. We use the same meter and strips as for humans and I find her test strips way cheaper on eBay than anywhere retail. Sometimes they even include lancets. Just be sure to check that they're giving you the expiration date and that it's far enough in the future that you'll get to use them up and you're good to go.

And good luck. I have faith that you and he will do fine with this.

[KentuckyWoman]

8. Walmart's glucose monitor and test strips are reliable and also much cheaper.

Kroger sells a $4 monitor with 100 ct test strips at about $28 but the monitor carry case is a pain in the butt.

Also, if you have Costco check them out. On a lot of prescriptions they beat anyone including Wally World. I buy my hearing aid batteries and some prescriptions from them. Membership is $55 a year but you don't need a membership for the pharmacy. Just let the door man know you are headed for pharmacy.

[former9thward]

12. The people on DU who hate Walmart are wealthy

And look down their nose at working class people. Ignore them.

[Bigmack]

15. Bullshit! This "people" on DU hates Walmart for fucking their employees and their communities...

... and NOT having the lowest prices.

And for having unmotivated employees. And for selling cheap crap that doesn't last.

I just bought some cases of canned food at WinCo... which is employee-owned and a good place to work... for 40 cents a case lower than Walmart offered.

WalMart's earnings were down 21% in 2015. Costco's PE ratio is twice what Walmart's is, so you can't say that Walmart's business model is working very well.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

16. +1

[former9thward]

18. I don't care what Walmart's business model is.

I am not a shareholder. If you find stores with lower prices in your area more power to you. Walmart generally has the lowest prices in my area. I don't have the contempt for their employees that you do. Proved my point.

[Bigmack]

24. Reading comprehension difficulties..?

I said that Walmart's employees were being fucked over.. and that they were unmotivated.
That's not contempt. That's simply a fact.
Walmart's hourly employee turnover is 44% per year. How much more unmotivated could Walmart employees be if 44% of them leave every year? (Costco has 6% turnover after the first year)

Walmart's business model should concern you. It costs you directly, since you are picking up the tab for the cost of a Walmart in your area whether you shop there or not.
http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2405-real-cost-walmart.html

Walmart costs us $6.2 Billion... and that's Forbes saying that.... http://www.forbes.com/sites/clareoconnor/2014/04/15/report-walmart-workers-cost-taxpayers-6-2-billion-in-public-assistance/#29727d697cd8

Costco too rich for your blood? Winco manages nicely... without screwing the workers and the community and has lower prices.
http://business.time.com/2013/08/07/meet-the-low-key-low-cost-grocery-chain-being-called-wal-marts-worst-nightmare/

[former9thward]

25. What BS.

Singling out Walmart abut food stamps is ridiculous. The same things could be said about most companies, big and small, in the retail business. But you give them a pass in your anti-Walmart rant. No Winco here. I don't find the Walmart employees "unmotivated" when I shop. Maybe people are unmotivated where you live.

[Bigmack]

31. As I said.... reading comprehension problems....

You obviously missed the part about Walmart costing us taxpayers $6.2 billion.

OK.. I'll include McDonald's and all the rest of the leeches that pay so little that the taxpayers pick up the tab in terms of assistance. Is that better? Actually, low-wage employers cost taxpayers $153 Billion a year.

You say everybody else does it, too... Well, everybody else doesn't have to pay a $188 million wage-theft settlement... and another $100 million in back pay. And on and on. http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Walmart

I am truly glad that the workers in your local Walmart are happy in their work. Must be a good store. But still... 44% leave that first year, nationally.

Sorry if pointing out that Walmart is stealing from the taxpayer and treating it's people like shit seems like a rant to you.

[840high]

33. I shop WalMart - because I have

to survive on SS. I don't pay any attention to the people that hate WalMart.

[hfojvt]

22. just FYI

a lower P/E ratio is better than a higher one.

Right now Wal-mart's P/E ratio is amazingly low, and their dividend rate is pretty high (about 3%), so their stock is probably still a good buy. I say that even though I sold my own hundred shares about four hours ago. Made a whopping $170 profit in just six days. Easy money if you have $6,500 you can "invest".

[Bigmack]

23. Thanks but no. Their earnings are down 4th Q of 2015 7.9%...

and...
"Wal-Mart Stores Inc warned on Wednesday that higher wages as well as spending on e-commerce and lower prices would cut earnings per share as much as 12 percent next fiscal year, sparking the steepest one-day decline in the company's shares in 25 years."

You go ahead, tho.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-wal-mart-shareholders-idUSKCN0S81MQ20151014

"Costco’s stock has increased by a whopping 125% over the last half decade, contributing to its bloated earnings premium over its competitors. This earnings premium, currently at a five-year high, has also been bolstered by Costco’s ability to execute on its growth targets, low levels of leverage, valuable real estate portfolio and market-leading position within its segment."

http://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/121715/costco-pe-ratio-quick-analysis.asp#ixzz42GbGdAzk
Follow us: Investopedia on Facebook

[Fla Dem]

19. Wow, what a misinformed generalized insult.

I won't step foot in Wal-Mart. They have put small Mom and Pop stores out of business. They more than any other corporation drove most manufacturing out of the USA and over to China just so they could offer the low, low, everyday prices. In the meantime they don't pay their employees enough so they can't even shop at W/M. Anytime I was ever in one of their stores it felt dirty and grimy because they won't hire enough people to keep the store clean. The Waltons and the Kochs are nothing but greedy bastards.

[former9thward]

21. If you don't like their stores don't go in them.

Your post is very generalized. The Walmarts in my area are not at all like you describe.

[840high]

34. The WalMart in my area is

very clean. Bathrooms, too. People are friendly.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

35. That poster's whole gimmick is trashing the left and sticking up for the right

Why is that?

Occam's Razor says the most obvious answer is usually the correct one.

[former9thward]

38. Maybe you can be more specific so people can

make an attempt to understand you.

[LanternWaste]

20. Creative allegations dramatically lacking any supporting evidence should be ignored as well.

Creative allegations dramatically lacking any supporting evidence should be ignored as well.

[LiberalElite]

30. Are you psychic? I need help

picking lottery numbers.

[former9thward]

36. Yes, you need help.

The first step is recognizing that fact.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

32. LOL

I shop at KMart instead.

Yeah, I'm rich and look down my nose.

[former9thward]

37. I'm sure the business model for Kmart

is so much better ...

[Jim Beard]

13. I don't like walmart but there are times when I go there

its a pocketbook issue.

[ileus]

14. And CVS is the good guy...

LOL.....I always get a kick out of the anti-walmart stuff.


Anyway....When my family didn't have insurance (2002-03) I'd call around to different pharmacies and get pricing. Sometimes CVS, would win, sometimes Kroger, sometimes wal-mart.

I have crappy WV PEIA now...it's not much better than being self insured.

[Warpy]

26. I get a few scrips at Wally's, too

Don't forget that they were the first to start discounting a lot of common generic drugs, something that helped me tremendously when I had NO money and didn't want to die quite yet.

Yes, they have a history of being predatory and driving offshoring. However, they've also done a few good things here and there.

[TheFarseer]

27. I'd shop around because I don't like Wal-Mart

But if that's the best price, do what you've got to do and don't bother trying to please anyone on here. Based on my experience at CVS, I'm surprised they had what you wanted at any price. No matter what I go there for, they almost never have it. But I keep trying cause it's in walking distance.

[1939]

28. Wally World and supermarkets

often do very well on pricing prescription drugs in the hopes that you will shop there while waiting for your scrip.

[Massacure]

29. My advice to you --

First - I'm guessing you still haven't gone through your deductible. I pay about $240 per vial of insulin in January/February when I'm in my deductible - then it drops to $10 a month for copay. If your husband is on a transplant list, you are likely going to burn your out of pocket maximum. Buying your stuff at Wal-Mart may be cheaper now, but it won't get credited toward those big bills that are coming.

Second - What combination of 70/30 is your husband using? In particular is it regular insulin or is it an analog? Given the fact that it's 25 dollars I'm assuming (but I could very well be wrong) its a combination of NPH and regular insulin. I never used NPH, but my dad had a poor experience with it saying that it was very unpredictable. He was adamant that I bolus with a rapid acting analog at meals and use Lantus as my basal once a day. I also know a former coworker and friend who mixes NPH and regular insulin and and I noticed that he often has hypoglycemic events (low blood sugars). I don't want to scare you, but it's something to keep in mind.

[GaYellowDawg]

39. Go to WalMart. Nothing matters more than your health.

Don't hesitate to go, and don't hesitate to tell people to step off unless they can provide you with a less expensive source for the supplies you need.