[Squirrel1983]

So my insurance co-pay is different for generic, preferred brand, and non-preferred brand of medications. I know what the difference between generic and brand name is, but does anyone know what most insurance companies use to determine a preferred brand vs. a non-preferred brand?

On my insurance, Latuda is a non-preferred brand, so my copay is $70 (which I know is nothing to what it costs without insurance). I did however find on the manufacturer website for Latuda a savings card to reduce your copay by up to $75 (you pay a minimum of $25), so I plan to use it for as long as I can. The card is only good until the end of June though, so after then I will be back to paying the full insurance copay, unless by then it is a "preferred" brand...then I'd only pay $40...I just don't know what criteria insurance companies use to separate "preferred" from "non-preferred" brands. Does anyone have any clue here?

They base it on cost, whether it is a "me too " drug and other factors. A me too drug is a drug design after another one with minor differences. A lot of ssri's fall into this category.

The savings cards are big pharma's attempt to get around copays and gain market share. It's a nightmare for insurance companies because they can't really track the coat. Ultimately it drives insurance costs up. You'll want to read the fine print. They usually last until exclusive right expire but sometimes earlier and then you are dependent and have to pay 70 or more. Some of them also ask for medical information if you get it from the website. I don't like this because in the fine print you'll probably find out you have agreed to let them share it with their partners for marketing. So hipaa means nothing. These are illegal in MA and UK. I don't know where else.

[vans1974]

There are three categories of covered drugs with three different copayments: generic drugs, preferred brand-name drugs, and nonpreferred brand-name drugs.

Generic Drugs
You will pay the lowest copayment for generic drugs. Generics are equivalent to their brand-name counterparts, and are ensured by the Food and Drug Administration to be as safe and effective.

Preferred Brand-Name Drugs
These are drugs for which generic equivalents are not available. They have been in the market for a time and are widely accepted.

Non-preferred Brand-Name Drugs
These drugs have the highest copayment. Generally these are higher-cost medications that have recently come on the market. So-called “designer” drugs also fall into this category. In most cases, an alternative preferred medication is available.

[sewerrats]

I have a strange relationship with generic meds , ever since Prozac went generic and the NHS only gave you generic I crashed big style . I believe then that I had been on the real Prozac so long the slightest change screwed me over, I have no trouble with any other generic after. But it left me with a phobia ???? I will only have a generic the same colour has the real med ie Sertraline blue like Zoloft ,Lorazopam blue and even the same shape has Ativan , yes they do make one. Don't worry there is nothing wrong with he other generics its just me im nuts