Is the Cost of Prescription Drugs Killing Your Bank Account? Here’s How to Save Money When Buying Your Meds | The worst part of getting sick is the moment when you go to the pharmacy and find out how much you’re going to have to spend on your prescription. Most prescription drugs aren’t cheap. This is a struggle that many people have.
One out of every four Americans says that they can’t afford the medicine that they need. The good news is that there are ways you can save on the cost of prescription drugs.
There are programs out there that help people. If you don’t qualify for them, you can always talk to your insurance company or your doctor. They may be able to suggest a generic brand that’s easier on the wallet.
These are only a few ways that you can cut down on the costs. Keep reading to learn more.
Do Price Comparisons
When you buy insurance or a car, you don’t go with the first offer that you get. You shop around a little. The same concept applies to your prescription meds.
The prices for medications vary from pharmacy to pharmacy. A prescription that costs you 100 dollars at CVS may only cost 60 at Rite Aid, for example.
You can call around to the pharmacies, or if you want to save a little time, you can download a smartphone app and look up prices by simply typing in the name of your prescription.
Try the Generic Brands
Many brand-name drugs have a generic counterpart. They have the same active ingredients. The only difference between the two is the price.
Brand-name medications are a lot more expensive because of the manufacturing process. Companies charge more for them to make up for the production costs. Ask the pharmacies if they have the generic version of your prescription.
If they don’t, it’s not the end of the world. Call your doctor and see if there’s an alternative medication they can prescribe that does have a generic counterpart.
Shop Online
With everything you buy online, why not order your medications from the comfort of your computer as well? You can find some great deals this way.
You’ll have the option to go through a Pharmaceutical Wholesaler and Distributor as well. You’ll be able to buy your medications in bulk and save money while you do it.
There’s only one thing that you need to keep in mind. Some websites are more legit than others. If you choose the wrong site, you may end up buying counterfeit pills that will do more harm to you than good.
The website should ask you to provide proof of prescription before you checkout. They should also have contact information that you can use to ask questions and look for a physical address.
Get a Larger Supply
A lot of medications are available as a 90 day supply. The more pills you have, the longer you can go before you have to order a refill.
Talk to the pharmacy and your insurance company about this option unless it’s a newer prescription. If this is the case, you’ll want to start yourself out with a 30 day supply. You don’t want to order the bigger bottle only to have a bad reaction to it.
Talk to Your Insurance Company
Every insurance company has a prescription drugs list that they don’t cover. You can find this list on your insurer’s website, but it’s a lot of information to read over.
Do yourself a favor and call your insurance company instead of using the site. Asking directly about your prescription will save a lot of time. If your prescription isn’t covered, ask them if there’s an alternative that they do take care of.
Look For Coupons
Coupons can save you money on groceries and clothes. They can do the same thing for your prescription medications as well. If you’re getting a prescription for a medication that doesn’t have a generic version yet, the manufacturer may offer a coupon to help customers pay for the expense.
Keep in mind that not everyone qualifies for these coupons. You’ll have to submit your medical information to see if you can get one.
If you don’t qualify, you can always see if the pharmacy has a savings option. Many stores offer discount coupons if it’s your first time getting a prescription through them.
Get Assistance
There are government and state assistance programs that help people who can’t afford their medications. You can also reach out to non-profit organizations.
Keep in mind that you’ll have to meet certain income qualifications to apply.
Split Your Pills
You can take a 30 day supply of pills and turn them into a 90 one with a pill-splitter. For example, let’s say that you need 5mgs of your medication every day. You’ll ask your doctor for 10mg pills and chop them in half.
You can’t split every pill this way. If you cut a liquid capsule, all the medication will spill out. You can’t split time-release medications either.
Find Out if You Still Need the Medicine
If you’ve been taking the same medicine for years, it’s not a bad idea to ask your doctor if you still need it. If you’ve been making recommended lifestyle changes on top of taking your normal prescription, there’s a chance that the pill may have outlived its usefulness.
Saving on the Cost of Prescription Drugs
If you’re having problems paying for your medications, you’re not alone. Many Americans are in the same boat. The good news is there are ways that you can save on the pills that you need.
Look for coupons, shop around to different pharmacies, and above all else, talk to your doctor to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. If you’re looking for more ways to save money on the things that you use every day, visit the Money section of our blog.
