10 May Tips for saving money on your prescriptions
The cost of medical care seems to always be rising in the United States. Even filling a prescription could cost a pretty penny if you are not careful. There are a few ways you can save on prescription costs that you may not already be aware of:
Check your insurance carrier’s formulary to see what drugs are covered at what costs.- Discuss your options with the prescribing doctor. Ask him to give you more than one option in medication so that you can get the one that works best for you at the best price.
- Compare prices within different pharmacies. The drug store right down the street from the place you usually get your prescriptions might charge less than what you are paying now.
- Get your prescriptions filled at wholesale stores like BJ’s or Costco. In some cases, a club membership isn’t even required.
- Go generic. The name brand isn’t always necessarily better just because it costs more. The reason name brands cost more is that they have to buy the expensive patent for their product when they first introduce it to the public. Once their patent is expired, their formula can be used by other drug manufacturers who can sell the same product for a fraction of the cost. The name brand needs to charge more to make any money as they will be paying for that patent for years. Ask your doctor to give the OK for generic.
- Store your medications properly. Make sure you follow all the directions on your prescription so you do not waste any due to improper storage.
- Contact the drug manufacturer for assistance. In a lot of cases, drug manufacturers will offer discounted rates for patients needing a certain drug.
- Take preventative measures so you do not need as many prescriptions. The Affordable Care Act has made it possible for everyone to practice preventative medicine. Get a physical to see wat areas could use some work and take preventative action to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Talk with your insurance carrier to see if you are getting the best prescription plan possible.
James Bergman
Posted at 13:06h, 25 MayI agree with you that it is a good idea to check the prices of your prescriptions at different pharmacies. If you can get a better deal, then take it. I also think it is fine to take the generic drug. However, you should always read the label and make sure the active ingredient is the same.