Why did my prescription price go up?

A price jump on a stable prescription is annoying and usually traceable - the causes are a short list. The plan-year reset: in January, deductibles restart, so a drug covered at a copay in December costs full negotiated price until the deductible is met again. The formulary change: plans reshuffle their covered-drug lists annually (and sometimes mid-year) - your medication can move to a worse tier, gain a prior-authorization requirement, or drop off entirely; the plan must notify you, but the letter is easy to miss. The pharmacy's supply chain: a switch to a different manufacturer or wholesaler changes the negotiated price. The list-price increase: manufacturers raise prices, typically on a January cycle. And the patent-event: a new generic entering or leaving the market moves prices sharply in either direction. The moves: ask the pharmacy to check the reason and re-run it (errors happen); compare the discount-card cash price - it sometimes beats the new insurance price; ask the prescriber about therapeutically equivalent alternatives in a better tier; and ask the plan about an exception if the drug jumped tiers. Pymander, a free AI doctor available 24/7 by text, can help you map the options.