Like almost everything else, the costs of prescription drugs continues to increase. Here are some tips on how to save some money on your next trip to the drugstore.
Chat with your Doctor. Let your Doctor know that your prescription prices are too high and ask him to recommend some alternatives. Is there a generic equivalent , OTC, or Natural/Herbal remedy option? Are all the meds necessary to treat your condition? And, when you have this chat, be sure to arm yourself with good information about what's the best value for your healthcare dollar, check out Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs.
Go Generic. Ask your doctor to recommend a generic equivalent drug. The cholesterol lowering drug, Crestor, is a good example. A 90- day supply on my health plan runs $150. A generic equivalent, Simvastatin, runs $60.
Do a Price Comparison. There are several free online tools that allow you to learn about prescription drugs and do use a price-comparison tool. Check out the Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs , Rxaminer.com, or DestinationRx.com.
Get a A Discount Card. Many nationwide pharmacies offer a discount card that can help you save on future prescriptions or other drugstore purchases (example: CVS ExtraCare Saving). You can also sign up at yourrxcard.com for a discount card, and save up to 75% on all FDA-approved drugs at over 57,00 participating pharmacies. It’s a fast and easy way to reduce your overall costs.
Check out a $4 prescription programs. Stores like Wal-mart, Target, and K-mart, Hannaford, and Publix offer $4 generics at many of their stores.
Order Online. Use Mail-Order. Buy in Bulk. Make the most of your mail-order or online.purchases and when possible, buy in bulk to get a better unit price based on volume.
Split Your Pills. Ask your doctor if pill splitting is an option for you (it isn't for you if you have a time-released based pill or require an exact dose) If the doctor can write the prescription for double the dose, then you can cut the pills using a pill splitter. Doubling the dose does not always mean double the cost. This could be a cost savings of $20-$50 per month.
Ask for Free Samples. Never hurts to ask your drugstore or doctor if there are any free samples of the prescription.
Find a Patient Assistance Program. My Doctor told me that most drug manufacturers have some sort of patient assistance program for the needy. You must meet certain income guidelines and not be covered by a health plan. Also, the application process is a time-consuming one. For more information about Prescription assistance programs, check out list of available programs, check out PatientAssistance.com, The Partnership for Prescription Assistance and NeedyMeds.com.
As a side note,in case of an medical emergency, always make sure to carry a complete list of active prescriptions with you. This list can help doctors more quickly diagnosis and effectively treat you.
1 comment:
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