Live data from Hacker News

The Ozempocalypse Is Nigh

astralcodexten.com

31–40 of 97 posts

Re: The Ozempocalypse Is Nigh

#31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> How can people pay $1000/month for the rest of their life No one actually pays that price. The $1000 misrepresented in the article as the "usual insurance price" is actually the list price, from which insurers negotiate discounts (that is, the full price -- not just the out of pocket price charged to the insured -- for insured patients is significantly less than that $1000 price), while most people who get the drug…

It seems like the entire US medical system runs on prices that no one actually pays. I don't really understand what all that extra complexity achieves?

The sellers can write it off as a loss. It’s a way to avoid paying taxes

Re: The Ozempocalypse Is Nigh

#32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It seems like the entire US medical system runs on prices that no one actually pays. I don't really understand what all that extra complexity achieves?

The sellers can write it off as a loss. It’s a way to avoid paying taxes

What does this mean? You don't get to write off the difference between your "target price" and actual sale price.

And a reminder that companies always do better if they make more money, not point in purposeful losses (unless you are getting a side benefit like goodwill from charity).

Re: The Ozempocalypse Is Nigh

#33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> How can people pay $1000/month for the rest of their life No one actually pays that price. The $1000 misrepresented in the article as the "usual insurance price" is actually the list price, from which insurers negotiate discounts (that is, the full price -- not just the out of pocket price charged to the insured -- for insured patients is significantly less than that $1000 price), while most people who get the drug…

It seems like the entire US medical system runs on prices that no one actually pays. I don't really understand what all that extra complexity achieves?

It hinders individuals from making purchasing decisions that affect price. Less clarity on the actual price means that it's harder to shop around.

Re: The Ozempocalypse Is Nigh

#34
This is actively improving health outcomes for millions of people so of course insurance won't cover it and it is being taken away from consumers. If the shortage is over, why does it cost $1k or even $500? Sounds like there is still a shortage to me. I guess vaccines are out but price gouging is still in in the US healthcare system.

Re: The Ozempocalypse Is Nigh

#35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> but not that uncommon Taking in nearly double over the average household income is, by definition, uncommon.

I think that’s a pretty average income for a couple with two children

Median household income is like $80k

Re: The Ozempocalypse Is Nigh

#36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It seems like the entire US medical system runs on prices that no one actually pays. I don't really understand what all that extra complexity achieves?

The sellers can write it off as a loss. It’s a way to avoid paying taxes

[deleted]

Re: The Ozempocalypse Is Nigh

#37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Compounding pharmacies existed before Ozempic and their entire business model is producing custom drugs at reasonable prices. For Ozempic, they order the GLP-1 peptides from a large Pharma company and then mix it to order with bacteriostatic water and any other additives. Mine includes a B-12 compound that is attempting to help with the weight loss. They are highly regulated and require trained and licensed employees…

Is there a compounding pharmacy aggregator online youve found trustworthy?

https://www.glpwinner.com/ is a good resource for comparing compound glp-1 providers

Re: The Ozempocalypse Is Nigh

#38

This is actively improving health outcomes for millions of people so of course insurance won't cover it and it is being taken away from consumers. If the shortage is over, why does it cost $1k or even $500? Sounds like there is still a shortage to me. I guess vaccines are out but price gouging is still in in the US healthcare system.

Profits over patients.

Pharmacies have to have crazy high prices though because PBMs reimburse at such shit rates, based on some percentage of the price given to them. Because if they buy the bottle at $30 and list the price at $60, the PBM contract will only reimburse at the adjusted wholesale price (another made up number), eg: 17% plus a $1.99 dispensing fee. This disgusting math results in getting a loss on the drug.

Even all this leaves out some of the most absurd abuses of PBMs. They set minimum drug copays, have the pharmacy collect a $15 copay for a $5 drug, and have the pharmacy pay the PMB the $10 difference. They make it a breach of contract for the pharmacy to inform the patient this is happening or to charge the $5 and bypass the insurance. The total lack of anything even approaching ethnics is absurd...

Re: The Ozempocalypse Is Nigh

#39
post #5
post #2

Can someone please explain the economics of GLP-1s? How can people pay $1000/month for the rest of their life, just to keep weight off? Rent and mortgages are already insane as is, and then there’s insurance, kids, etc.

They don’t. If you live outside of the USA it is cheaper (e.g. 400 cad a month in Canada) The article also mentions the grey market, where you can buy a year’s worth of power from China for a couple hundred bucks. You do need to be able mix it up properly though.

[dead]

Re: The Ozempocalypse Is Nigh

#40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It seems like the entire US medical system runs on prices that no one actually pays. I don't really understand what all that extra complexity achieves?

The sellers can write it off as a loss. It’s a way to avoid paying taxes

This is you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEL65gywwHQ
Post reply on HN