Question:
Question about B12 shots.

I had my first B12 injection the other day. I really know very little about it except that my levels were low and that I don't have to have another one for a month. YAY! This makes one less pill I have to take every day, lol. Anyway, my question is this...For those of you who give yourself injections (NOT the people who have it done at the doctor's office), does your insurance company pay for the B12 and the syringes? If not, how much do you pay out of pocket? Also (and this question is for everyone who takes the injections, no matter how you get them, lol) do you get the intramuscular shots or the subcutaneous shots? Does anyone know the difference between the two? I mean, obviously one goes into the muscle and the other just into the fatty tissue, but is one absorbed better than the other? What are the advantages (other than much less pain for the subcu injections) to having it done that way? Thanks!    — Emily W. (posted on March 4, 2003)

March 4, 2003
Good Questions!! Yes, i give my own b12 injections, and I give them in the muscle. They are absorbed better that way. I paid less then $20 for 6 months worth of the medicine and the syringes, and no, insurance did not cover it. It is way cheaper then going to the doc every month and paying a $10.00 co-pay. You can search around to get the best price. And giving yourself b-12 is not that bad, I promise.
   — Vicki L.

March 4, 2003
I got my B-12 at Wal Mart Pharmacy, it costed me around $3.12, and that is for around 30 doses. I haven't bought any syringes so I don't know how much they are. I work in a doctors office and I asked them for one of them each month. I would like to buy some but you have to have a RX and I keep forgetting to ask for one. I hope this helps.
   — Donna T.

March 4, 2003
I got my script of B12 and syringes filled at "Target". Yes, my insurance covered my bottle of B12 and No, they did not cover the syringes. Can't take the injections without the syringes, so, go figure why they don't cover the syringes. I sure can't figure it out. My co-pay for the 30ML multiple dose vial of B12 was $5.00 and I only had to pay $5.99 for 30 syringes-which isn't that bad. My sister in law is an RN, so I have her give me my injections once a month. My B12 bottle says we can give the injections either intramusular OR subutaineous (sp). Good Luck! Patty
   — Patricia C.

March 5, 2003
My insurance pays for the medication with a $5.00 co pay, but that is for a 6 month supply. Syringes are only like .30 a peice so who can complain about buying those:) I give them myself once every 3 weeks in the hip.
   — Lynda T.

March 5, 2003
My insurance does not cover the cost. But my PCP wrote my prescription for a 30ml vial and it was less than $10 to purchase. I use a 1cc insulin syringe with a 29 gauge 1/2 inch needle, you can buy a package of 10 at CVS for $2.50. I give it subcutaneous in my thigh. The choice is up to you on which method you use... according to my PCP the 1cc per month is more B-12 than your body can use and you urinate the excess out.
   — Melissa W.