Trading dollars for quarters: the rebate math

If I gave you a quarter, would you give me a dollar?

How many times? I’d do it as many times as you’d let me.

I know you’re smart enough to not take me up on the offer.

But this is precisely what happens when we play the rebate games with prescription drugs.

We trade dollars for quarters instead of just hanging on to the dollars.

Maybe HR likes getting a big check to hand to finance.

Maybe it’s booked as a windfall profit.

But it’s just a portion of what you overpaid, or overcharged your sickest employees.

Let’s not trade dollars for quarters.

If you still think you’re getting a good deal, let me know where to show up with my rolled coins. 😉