Prescription drug insurance coverage?

jc1234 Active member

80POSTS

5 years ago

What are some of the options for drugs that require a prescription?
Do drugs that do not require a prescription not get covered then?

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abthree Brazil Expert

6453POSTS

5 years ago

I'm not aware of any insurance in Brazil that covers prescription drugs.聽 My private plan does not, nor does the Public Health System, and Medicare Part D plans do not operate outside the United States.

The good news is that many drugs that require prescriptions in the US are sold over the counter here.聽 Brazil has been one of the most aggressive countries in the world on generics, so if you don't mind using a generic, your prescriptions should be a lot cheaper than you're used to.聽 Anyone over 60 years old receives a discount in almost any pharmacy; they can be quite good, so it pays to shop around.

1 member reacted to this post

Texanbrazil ViP

2744POSTS

5 years ago

jc1234 wrote:
What are some of the options for drugs that require a prescription?
Do drugs that do not require a prescription not get covered then?

jc1234,
one of the first things I had to learn is what does or does not require a script.
It would a complete page to begin listing. I chuckle at the " oh no you need a "blue script" for that medicine and it is sold OTC in the US.
Crestor is prescribed in the US, it is not in BR was the first I encountered. I was not on many meds entering BR, so it took a while.
As ab3 said you will find a totally different concept.聽 I do find it is different than it is hard to find asprin and anything but Tylenol here. (and many drugs here are combined with Tylenol.) Not sure if they are aware they may be taking (as US FDA states) more paracetamol than may be safe.
Farmacia's are on every corner and as said check around. I go to one and the script is $R90. Walk across the street $R50.
Find one or two and establish a relationship. They can be very helpful and even further discounts if a good customer.

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