Are you receiving medications under your workers’ compensation claim
in convenience packs, or co-packs? If so, chances are good that you are
being overcharged without even knowing it.
For those who are unaware, convenience packs are bundles of different medications
and medical supplies that come packaged together in one convenient box
to help ensure injured and ill patients receive the proper doses of medicine
on a regular schedule. While this sounds like an excellent idea on the
surface, baffling price hikes in co-packs have caused many people to take
notice. Despite their supposed “convenience,” these packs
have been known to cost substantially more than what the included medicine
would normally cost on their own – in many cases, more than three
times as much.
For example, a single tube of Voltaren® Gel, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drug, costs $60 on its own. When packaged with antibacterial wipes, however,
the list price skyrockets to about nine times as much at $500. It is safe
to assume that you have never come across a pack of antibacterial wipes
that is worth $440.
Whether it be combining topical ointments with oral agents or antibiotics
with pain medications, these packs price gouge the consumer and charge
obscene fees without adding any real value. This can be devastating for
individuals who are only awarded a finite amount of money for their workers’
compensation claim, as it in essence allows pharmaceutical companies to
claim a large chunk of a person’s settlement in exchange for co-packs
that they do not even need. For example, if you were awarded a maximum
of $1,000 in workers’ compensation per month, but your medication
now costs $600 simply because it becomes packaged with antiseptic wipes,
you just lost more than half of your benefits for the sake of “convenience.”
If the cost of your medication seems suspiciously high, contact Michael
J. Doyle Attorney at Law. Having fought to protect the rights of injured
workers for more than a decade, our Albuquerque workers’ compensation
attorneys can review the charges on your benefit statements and seek compensation
where appropriate.
Do not let a convenience pack sap your benefits! Call (505) 219-2176 today
to discuss your situation with a skilled legal professional.