That does seem ridiculous but so like insurance companies. I was just prescribed a 15 gram tube of zovirax (acyclovir) for a mouth ulcer that has crept up along the edge of my scar. When the pharmacist told me it was $177.01 I said, 'would my pharmacy card help with this?'. She said, 'It did, we have it on file, it saved you $53'. Well, I guess that's better than full price?

My insurance has a $5,000 deductible and I'm then responsible for 20% of the next $20,000 in network expenses. I've been careful to stay in network. To my mind that should mean a $9,000 outlay on my part but I've racked up nearly $20,000 in expenses and not all the bills have come in. It's a scam!