As many Americans struggle in the current economy it’s time to look at ways to make our dollars go further, especially in the prescription medicine arena. Here are some tips to save some money while taking care of yourself.
Some Americans have been driven to extreme methods to afford their medications, such as traveling to Mexico or Canada to fill their prescriptions. While this may work for some, keep in mind that other countries have different regulating laws. There may be additional inactive ingredients or variations in the levels of active medication. But there are other ways to trim the amount you spend each month that don’t involve being bussed over the border.
TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR
Sadly, the insurance companies sometimes dictate which medicines will be covered. Be sure your doctor is writing a prescription for something that your plan will pay for. If you don’t have prescription insurance be sure to ask for the generic version of the medication and have it filled at a pharmacy that offers the lowest price.
Your doctor may also be able to help you by prescribing a longer or larger supply. For example, if you pay $10 per prescription and your doctor is providing you with a month’s supply, ask him or her to write the prescription for a 90-day supply. That will save you $80 a year on that one medication. If the doctor is writing a prescription for 30 tablets, ask if he or she will make it for 90 tablets. Are you willing to cut the tablets in half if it will save you money?
Always ask for samples. Doctors often have boxes to give out, but with all they have on their mind they may not offer this to every patient. But it never hurts to ask! Keep in mind that the samples will probably be the brand name medication, so be sure your doctor gives the pharmacy permission to fill your scrip with the generic version.
PRESCRIPTION ADVOCACY
Many pharmaceutical companies have advocacy programs to help consumers gain access to their products, but the paperwork can be complicated and the deadlines vary from brand to brand. Some states have prescription advocacy services to help residents bring the cost of medication down. There are also discount plans that have a prescription advocacy program available to their members. This is an excellent way to save a lot of money on a long-term or maintenance medication.
DISCOUNT PLANS AND CARDS
Some pharmacy chains have special plans for their loyal customers or for senior citizens. See if you qualify for some additional savings in this way. You can also check into a discount plan, which usually gives you a membership card for an annual or monthly fee. The card slashes the price of prescription medications when used at a participating pharmacy. This is a terrific strategy for people who are uninsured as the discount cards and plans are usually very affordable in comparison to insurance premiums.
This is also a great option if you find yourself falling into “the donut” – part of the year when you have maxed out your benefits or have gone over your plan’s limit and are expected to pay for everything out of pocket until the new calendar year begins.
MAIL ORDER
Many insurance plans and discount plans have pharmacies that will deliver medications directly to your home, usually at a huge savings. This is perfect for those maintenance medications that you want to have on hand in larger quantities to be sure your supply never runs out. This also saves you a trip to the pharmacy, which is an added convenience.
As our economy becomes more difficult to navigate people will come up with even more strategies for saving money on medications. Please always keep health and safety in mind as well as minding the laws of our great nation.
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