These days, getting sick can be a costly business,
especially if you can’t afford medical insurance. Not only do you have to worry
about paying the consultation bill from the doctor, but the cost of
prescriptions also seems to skyrocket each time you need to have them filled.
The good news is that there are many ways to save
money on your prescriptions. While they may require some effort on your part,
the savings will be well worth it.
The following are 10 tips to save money on
prescription drugs:
1. Always inquire about generic options. Many
brand-name medications have generic substitutes, which are required by law to
contain exactly the same ingredients as the brand-name versions. Whenever you
receive a prescription from your doctor for medication, make sure to ask about
available generic alternatives. You could end up saving as much as 80 per cent
on the cost of your prescription.
2. Find out if you qualify for Patient Assistance
Programs. Certain
pharmaceutical companies have put PAPs in place for those who earn below a
certain wage or who simply can’t afford medical insurance. PAPs may include
assistance in the form of savings cards, assistance with co-payments or levies,
and coupons that can be redeemed against the price of certain medications.
3. Fill all of your prescriptions at one pharmacy.
By having all of your prescriptions filled at one pharmacy, you will save
both time and gas money. Moreover, having a pharmacist who knows all of your
prescriptions is helpful if you develop allergies to or unpleasant side effects
from any of your medications.
4. Consider the possibility of splitting
higher-dose pills. There is
often very little difference in price when it comes to different dosages of
pills. Many times, a 50mg pill will cost almost the same price as the same
medication in a 25mg dosage. Find out from your pharmacist if the medication
you are using comes in different dosage sizes and if it is safe to split the
larger-dose pills. It is important to note that some pills are not safe to
split, but your pharmacist will be able to give you reliable advice about which
ones can be.
5. Communicate with your doctor. Speak up if you can’t afford any
of the medications your doctor has prescribed. He or she often will be able to
prescribe alternative medications which may be more affordable for you.
6. Help reduce co-payments by checking your
formulary. Many
medical insurance companies will cover the cost of only specific medications
for some conditions, as stipulated in their formulary. If your doctor
prescribes medication that is not listed on this formulary, you may have higher
co-payments. Check your prescription against the formulary, and if it’s not
listed, ask your doctor to prescribe an alternative medication that is on the
list.
7. Shop around and ask for a discount. These days, it is possible to
purchase medication from supermarkets, via mail order and at a variety of
retail pharmacies. By shopping around, you may be pleasantly surprised to find
that prices differ from one source to another. If you find that a particular
source has all but one of your prescription medications at a cheaper price, ask
if it’s possible to get a discount on the more expensive item.
8. Ask your doctor for samples. Thousands of people have
allergic reactions to medications every year. Before paying for a full course
of a particular medicine, ask your doctor if he or she has any free samples.
This will allow you to try it before buying a full month’s supply. Find out if
your doctor is able to give you a seven- to 10-day supply of the drug so that
you can assess it thoroughly.
9. Search for coupons. Magazines, newspapers and certain
websites offer prescription-related coupons on various medicines and
treatments. Two websites that are known for offering medicine coupons are
Internet DrugCoupons.com and NeedyMeds. You also can ask the staff members at
your doctor’s office if they know of any available coupons for your particular
prescription drugs. Certain manufacturers even offer free, 30-day trial packs
of their medicines.
10. Maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. As the saying goes, an ounce of
prevention is worth a pound of cure. Diseases such as diabetes and high blood
pressure, both of which are linked to obesity, require a lifelong commitment to
prescription medications to manage them. By keeping fit and healthy, you may be
able to minimize your risk of getting sick and requiring medication.
Spend Wisely!
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