For the time-starved - a quick summary – Haiku style:
For years, relief sought—
Coupons, cards, “Pusherman” tools.
Truth comes to light. Ouch.
Still with me? Want more details? Great. Read on!
For years, the Plan quietly worked behind the scenes, automatically applying manufacturer coupons and discount cards to help lower your out-of-pocket prescription costs. This was done as a courtesy—rooted in the same spirit of support and empowerment we've always aimed to provide. On the surface, it seemed like a win—participants paid less at the pharmacy, often without even realizing why.
While most everyone enjoyed the savings, the Health and Benefit Plan was quietly absorbing the full expense of both the drug and the cost of shouldering the administrative and technical demands and intricacies associated with maintaining and applying these coupons behind the scenes automatically.
Now, you might be wondering, “So what?”
Here’s why it matters: Many of these brand-name drugs had lower-cost or even more effective alternatives—whether generic versions, lifestyle-based treatments, or entirely different therapies with better long-term results. But the discount programs? They worked like blinders. By reducing your out-of-pocket costs at the pharmacy counter, they gave the illusion of value and made it easier for you to steer away from those smarter options.
And behind the curtain? The Plan kept footing the full, inflated bill—again and again—for medications that weren’t necessarily the best, just the best-marketed.
Let me poise a question to you: Have you ever wondered what happens if everyone just shrugs, takes a I don’t care attitude and just keeps playing along? Spoiler: nothing improves. Costs rise. Outcomes plummet.
To put it another way. The manufactures got you thinking they’re doing you a solid, when in reality, they’re doing nothing but making sure you stay in the same cycle, with no real incentive for you to get healthier or to look for cheaper alternatives. And who benefits from all this? Not you. Not your Health Plan. Not in the long run, anyway. Meanwhile, in a lot of cases, the real issue—the underlying problem causing all your trouble—remains unaddressed, with only the symptoms being temporarily masked or suppressed by the medication.
There is no denying that the mindset of "I can't be bothered" or "someone else will handle it" is contributing to the problem. We can't keep pretending things will get better without putting in real effort. When we choose not to seek out cost-effective or natural alternatives—especially those proven to be just as effective—we risk not only harming ourselves but also are contributing to the decline of the system as a whole.
Believe it or not, this shift in approach isn’t about taking anything away—it’s about supporting you in a smarter, more sustainable way. Our goal has always been to empower you to make informed decisions about your healthcare—not just for today, but for the long term. That means evolving how we do things, prioritizing transparency, and encouraging all of us to become more informed, proactive participants in our own well-being
Now, just as a reminder, these coupon and discount card programs still exist—and they’re surprisingly easy to access online. If you want to keep your costs low, by all means, take advantage of them.
But now, the power is in your hands—where it belongs. Just take a moment to understand the bigger picture before diving back into the discount bin.
We’ll be watching—with hope, not judgment—to see which road you take.