Vagifem vs Yuvafem

I have started an appeal of sorts with my insurance co because I have a $300 deductible for Estrace. Instead I had the cream compounded  which is costing me just under $80 a tube. But they won't cover that at all. The company is a large one with many different coverage options. I have a Medicare HMO. My complaint is that they certainly should cover a medication that medicare age people in particular need. They obviously cover birth control under different plans and no doubt Viagra.

I just haven't had the time to devote to it. Just managing my health issues is enough for now.

I also think we should appeal to our representatives. Particularly the female ones. 

Hi Cynthia: I understand just what you are saying, I went on line to Drugs.com not sure if you have looked at any of these, there is a drug discount that can save you money on things that your insurance will not cover, here is a phone number to ask questions, and here is the the web site you should be able to print the card and i  would take to the local drug store and find out how good a discount you could get for the Vagifem. please let me know if this works for you.

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I have heard this same story about the generic of this med, Vagifem, being ineffective and troublesome for so many women.  It was prescribed by my Dr.  I immediately questioned the pharmacist about less effective generic.  She reassured me that it was exactly the same as Vagifem. I tried it, but had a bad reaction.  I wonder if I had been given the Vagifem, instead of generic, if I would have had success. If I were you , I would proceed with an appeal, since you had so much success with Vagifem.  Good Luck. 

Hi Cynthia. I've been on Vagifem a long time too but came off and went onto Estriol cream because the Vagifem applicator , I think, was tearing me and causing a bleed. The end of the applicator has a slight rough edge which might be causing it. You can get Vagifem on prescription by the way. Don't pay for it

Cynthia,

I was on Estrace, name brand for a year, they finally came out with a generic and my ins. refused to fill it causing a delay in getting and my issues came back full force! I'm also on Medicare, but I have a supplement plan, the name brand only cost me 3.00, so I figured the generic would basically be free. Nope, it's actually more!! Makes no sense. And as for the effectiveness, it's not the same as the name brand for sure and I'll argue with the pharmacy all day long, the name brand was great, I didn't need an extra dose between, but with the generic I'm barely making it to my next scheduled dose. My doc said I can use it every day if I want or need to but I was doing just fine on Monday and Thursdays nights. 

I was first put on Vagifem but I had a bad reaction to it... I have I believe 6 months worth that the pharmacy wouldn't take back, it's sitting in my cabinet. What a waste. 

Insurance companies should NOT be able to tell you what's good for and what's not. It's our bodies, we know what works and we pay our premiums, leave us alone! 

Good Luck with your appeal, I'm about to start one myself! 

I'm very glad to hear women are getting motivated re challenging their insurance co's. Doctors are well away of these drug coverage issues as well as the short shrift women are getting compared to men when it comes to focusing on diseases and medical issues particular to women. My own doctor has spoken of it.

I'm not sure how much power doctors have re our insurance. It has got to come from those who are paying for this coverage and being negatively affected...us!

I haven't looked into it, but I wonder if there are groups that have already formed over the issue of insurance switching to less expensive and less effective meds. There is power in numbers.