High prescription costs in America have been a hot button issue and part of the healthcare debate for a long time. But while the politicians bicker about implementing overly-complicated systems, what’s the average citizen supposed to do in the meantime?
How can people get the medicine they need without paying an arm and a leg for it? The good news is, there are many companies out there who recognize the glaring need for prescription price reform and who are capitalizing on the demand.
If you’re asking yourself how to save money on prescriptions, continue reading to find out.
Big-Box Stores
Many grocery store pharmacies offer generic 30-day medication supplies for just $4. If you’re at a pharmacy, ask for the list and consult with your doctor about switching medications.
Different pharmacy and grocery store chains have different lists, so continue to look. Some pharmacies offer an option to order medication online.
Make Sure You’re Happy With Your Healthcare Provider
Never feel pressured to choose a health care provider too soon. Healthcare is the most important thing you can purchase, so don’t let people take advantage of its necessity.
Make sure your medical provider is transparent with you on costs and let your physician and pharmacist know you want lower copay and generic drugs if they’re available.
Understand Your Medication Copays
Insurance copays often affect the overall cost of prescriptions. Research your tier copay and talk to professionals about your tier plan.
Tiers are organized by generic, preferred, and name-brand drugs. The reason you want to understand your copays entirely is that you have to pay different amounts for each tier.
For example, if you want a generic brand drug, you might have to pay a $10 copay if you opt for a name brand drug, you can have upwards of a $100 copay. That’s a big difference.
Your “preferred” drugs are often the drugs the insurance company can get discounted rates. But these rates fluctuate throughout the year, so make sure you understand the periods for each copay tier.
Pharmacists are often knowledgable about copays and can offer assistance on what alternatives you might have access to if they’re more affordable.
Shop for the Best Price
If you’re not using a copay, and you’re paying full-price, your best bet is to look at different pharmacies for different quotes. There are also a lot of new services that offer discounts on prescriptions.
Make sure you do your homework on the pharmacy and the discount company to make a confident purchase.
Medicare Prescription Outpatient Drug Coverage
If you are 65 or older, you might be eligible for Medicare prescription outpatient coverage. FDA statistics show that five out of six people over the age of 65 take at least one medication. Also, close to 50 percent of all seniors take three or more drugs.
Copays with Medicare prescription outpatient drug coverage can be as low as $5.
Patient Assistance Programs
Patient assistance programs are specifically for patients who can’t afford their prescriptions. Pharmaceutical companies provide the contact information of their patient assistance programs on their website.
How Can I Save Money On My Prescriptions
Often, saving money on your prescriptions comes down to how bad you want to sift through the bureaucratic language to find the savings nugget.
There are plenty of helpful avenues to try, but they take effort and perseverance. When it comes to your health, you want to know no one’s taking advantage of you. Do your homework and save big when you ask yourself, “how can I save money on my prescriptions?”
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