SODIUM CHLORIDE INHALATION COVERAGE/COST

@noisylungs31 - I would jump on the GoodRx opportunity - I looked back and this year I have paid (my co-pay) between $14.50 and $19.00 under Part B for 7% saline. GoodRx didn't give me any lower price than Part B - the pharmacist told me both prices depend on the brand, strength and "spot price" since it is a medication they do not stock in quantity and since it is not covered under Part D with the specified co-pays (mine would only be $5 month under Part D.)
I use my local neighborhood pharmacy; the pharmacists are very good about getting answers to my many questions. Even so, prior to transferring my prescriptions there, they didn't think Medicare covered saline at all unless it was for diluting another medication.
They always compare our co-pay and GoodRx on each prescription refill & ring GoodRx when it will save money. Even on the few of our meds where it saves us a few bucks a month it adds up over time.

Once again, thank you for your helpful reply. There are many variables when dealing with these meds. Another friend I know who nebulizes saline said the same thing about pharmacists not knowing about Part B coverage.
I'm curious as to why you use 7% strength. Did you start with 3%?

Can someone please instruct me how to obtain 7% saline vials with a GoodRX coupon? I have been paying out of pocket for my vials, as my Medicaid-based insurance wouldn't "pre-authorize" saline. It's not a big deal as I can get Resp-Ease for about $26 a month if I order 3 boxes at a time, but if GoodRX is a legit way to save money I'd like to try it.

I'd also jump on that Good RX opportunity.
I last bought 100 5 ml vials of Base Labs 7% for 59.48 on Amazon a few months ago when there was a special deal.
I got it from CVS once and 30 4 ml was going to cost 38. I told them it was cheaper on Amazon. (I thought they were using Medicare or secondary-was wrong.). They readjusted to price to about 30.
I decided to stick with Amazon's 5 ml. I use half and keep other half in alcohol wiped out pill bottle for next day (no more than 24 hrs). I rarely get out sputum or I'd use it all. I do use full amt if I think I've done something risky, like rafting with grandkids. It was harder than anticipated avoiding river spray so I used a long saline session afterwards and next a.m. No idea if it helped-just intuition. I'm going to check into GoodRx, too.

I had MAC that wasn't responding to antibiotics after quite a few months and read here about 7% saline nebs possibly helping. A very smart pharmacist at my local Walgreens store figured out how to get the 7% for me under Medicare Part B.
I had to stop the antibiotics before I was getting consistent negative cultures due to the side effects, and continued the 7% saline. I believe it has kept my lungs from getting reinfected for the past 5 years.

I put the app on my phone. You can also google it. I got the gold rx for $.99 cents per month. It is better than my CIGNA FOR COST

When you google GoodRx, you can then enter the name of the drug…I looked on my current box of saline and entered it exactly that way. It will then show you pharmacies in your area and what price it would be using the GoodRx coupon. Many pharmacies will proactively apply it for you. Near me, Walgreens was the best price.

Finally, I picked up the RX's at Walgreen's which my doctor prescribed on June 20th. The billing to Part B Medicare for cromolyn 20mg/4ml went through leaving me with $54.24 to pay for 6 boxes of 60 units. That amount will be submitted to my secondary insurance. The sodium chloride 3% was billed to my tertiary (military) coverage. Cost $35.50 for 3 boxes of 60. Close to the Good RX price of $11.70 per box. Just wanted to give update on results of my merry-go-round race. Pharmacist offered no apologies but laid blame on doctor's slow/incomplete response in filling out required form.

I'd love to know the tricks that your pharmacist used, I'm also on 7%.

I use the good rx coupon. At Walgreens it costs me $11 for a pack of 60. With the same coupon at CVS to costs $35. It's worth the extra 10 minutes to drive to Walgreens.