Research shows that about 8% of Americans don't take the prescription medication they need due to affordability.
This can lead to serious health
complications and even death in the case of some chronic conditions. So if
you're one of those people considering giving up on their treatment due to the
high price of medication, we've got good news for you.
Here's how to go about saving on
prescriptions and still get the treatment you need.
1.
Speak to Your Doctor About Saving on Prescriptions
Your doctor's always your first port
of call when it comes to anything to do with your health. Speak to them about
your affordability issues.
They can help with almost all the
below tips or help you out with some free samples. Pharmaceutical salespeople
regularly visit doctor's offices with free samples of newly-approved
medications.
Not only can these samples save you
money once-off, but they also allow you to try out a medication before you pay
for a full month's supply.
2.
How to Save on Prescriptions With Pharmacy Cards
Some drug manufacturers offer
discounts to pharmacies in exchange for them stocking their medicines. These
retailers can pass these savings on to their clients.
Ask your local pharmacy if they're
running any discounted programs.
Otherwise, you can search for
prescription discount cards and loyalty programs online. These help you save up
to 80% on common medications. It's free to sign up and easy to use these cards.
3.
Saving Money on Prescriptions by Comparing Prices
Comparing prices is the best way to
save no matter what you're buying. Don't assume that big retail stores are
cheaper - surveys prove differently.
Get on the phone to pharmacies near
you and enquire about their prices and discounts before you head off to a
big-box retailer. Some outlets advertise their prices online so it's even easier
to find the best price.
4.
Opt for Generic Alternatives
Generics are cheap medications with
the same active ingredient as their equivalent brand name drugs. That means
they work in almost the same way brand name drugs too.
The reason generic medications are
cheaper is that they piggyback on the expensive research performed by
pharmaceutical companies that develop drugs.
As soon as a patent expires on a
particular drug, generic manufacturers can freely produce a matching, albeit
cheaper, treatment. Always ask your doctor if they can prescribe a generic
equivalent of your medication.
The best part is that you can use
many of these other savings tactics for generics and save even more.
5.
Look for Coupons
Pharmaceutical companies also offer
discounts to the public for newly-developed drugs. That's because these latest
innovations are expensive and unavailable in a generic form at the outset.
So, to get people on board with
their exciting new products, these manufacturers offer coupons for these
medications.
Often, you'll need to meet certain
criteria to claim these savings. These include having health insurance and
being willing to share your personal information.
6.
Get a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
If you qualify for Medicare, you
could receive substantial discounts on selected medications. These programs
exist to help seniors afford the medications they need by reducing their
out-of-pocket expenses for medicines.
As long as you're enrolled in
Original Medicare (Part A and B), you can sign up for a Part D drug plan.
Alternatively, you could investigate suitable Medicare Advantage plans (Part C)
which often include Part D benefits.
7.
Saving on Medications By Ordering Online
Mail-order pharmacies have lower
operational costs than brick and mortar stores, so they can afford to offer you
better prices on prescription medications.
You can also order prescription drugs online from Canadian pharmacies. Canada has some of the cheapest
drug prices worldwide, and it's legal for US citizens to benefit from them.
Always check that you're buying from
a reputable registered pharmacy or legitimate go-between when shopping online
for drugs.
8.
Consult Your Health Insurance Formulary List
It's not always cheaper to access
your prescription drugs via your health insurance. Compare your co-payments
with the cash price of the drugs you need first.
You should also check your insurance
provider's drug formulary list at least once a year to ensure that the price
you pay for drugs justifies your monthly premiums.
If you can get your prescription
drugs elsewhere for cheaper, it might be worth adjusting your insurance policy
at the next opportunity.
9.
Reconsider Your Options
If you've been taking the same drug
for years, it may be time to schedule an appointment with your doctor. Perhaps
you no longer need it, or there's a cheaper, better option available now.
Unless you discuss your financial
concerns, your doctor will assume that you're happy with the costs, or that
your health insurance will pay for the medication you need.
10.
Ask For a Bigger Supply or Stronger Dosage
While comparing drug prices, you
might notice that you pay less per item for larger quantities of medication.
Ask your doctor if they can change your prescription to a 60- or 90-day supply
so you can benefit from these savings.
Likewise, some medications cost the
same regardless of the dosage you order. In many cases, you can split these
pills and get your recommended dose that way. In this way, you can save 50% on the
cost of the dosage you need.
You can't split all types of
medication in this way, so speak to your doctor about this tactic when you ask
them to change your prescription to the higher dose.
11.
Apply for Financial Assistance
If you still can't afford your
medications after trying all the tips above, your best bet is to ask for help.
There are several state and government organizations that help people afford
the medications they need.
Try enquiring with Partnership for
Prescription Assistance or the State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program. You'll
need proof of income to show that you legitimately require help, and some
programs have financial limitations.
You could also ask your local
pharmacy if they have any free prescription drug programs running currently.
Reach
Out for Better Health
When you master the art of saving on
prescriptions for your much-needed medicines, you help ensure your ongoing
health and vitality.
For more tips on how to stay fit and healthy, keep browsing our site. We're committed to bringing you the latest greatest news and tips on health-related issues.
