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 16 Ways You Can Really Save Money on Prescription Drugs
Are you taking one or more prescription drugs on a regular basis? Are you struggling with the cost of prescription drugs and paying too much? You can cut your cost for medicines in half and put the money back in your pocket. If you have medical insurance or if you don't, you can find ways to save money here. Most prescription drugs are unnecessarily expensive. You, your doctor and your pharmacist can help you save money on prescription drugs. I also found a helpful resource for you,
101 Ways to Save Money on Health Care, Tips to Help You Spend Smart and Stay Healthy by Cynthia J. Koelker, MD.
Here are 16 ways you can really save money on prescription drugs.
Use Prescription Drugs Covered by Your Insurance Plan
If you need prescription drugs, your insurance company has a list of preferred brand name drugs that are covered under your plan. This list is called a formulary. Take a copy of the formulary with you to your doctor. Otherwise, your doctor cannot be sure what medicines your plan covers. When you use the prescription medications covered by your insurance plan, you save money, sometimes as much as 50% to 70%. Ask your doctor if you can safely change from a non-preferred medicine to a preferred one.
Use Prescription Antibiotics Less Often
Use antibiotics Less. Your family doctor will tell you that you don't need antibiotics for a cold, because they don't help with a cold virus. Medical science has no cure for the common cold. The best solution is over-the-counter pain relief, rest and lots of fluids to drink. You'll save money and cut down on the use of unnecessary antibiotics.
Use Generic Prescription Drugs
If you are taking name brand prescription drugs, ask your doctor or pharmacist if there is a generic medicine available. You can easily save 70% to 80% of your cost of name brand. If a generic medicine is not available, ask about less expensive brand name drugs.
Ask for Coupons, Rebates and Free Samples
When your doctor prescribes prescription drugs, ask if there is a coupon, a rebate or a free sample for you. Pharmaceutical companies often provide these to the doctor to make their brand name medications more competitive. Coupons for prescription medications are available through your doctor, your pharmacist, newspapers, magazines and online.
Renew Your Prescription by Phone
You can usually renew a prescription by phoning your doctor's office, and save the cost of an office visit.
Ask for a Cash Payment Discount
If you do not have medical insurance coverage, and will pay the entire bill yourself, ask if your doctor offers a discount for cash payment at the time of service. You'll never know until you ask.
Ask Your Pharmacy to Match the Lowest Price
Some pharmacies have a policy of price-matching on prescription drugs, and will lower their price to meet a competitor's price. You have to ask for this discount, and shop around to find the best price available.
Transfer Your Prescription to Get a Discount
Here's another way to save money on prescriptions drugs. Pharmacies also offer price incentives and coupons when you transfer your prescriptions to their store. You can transfer your prescriptions several times from store to store to save more money.
Save Money by Splitting Pills
Pill-splitting is another way to save money on prescription drugs. Prescription drugs are available in different strengths, but they sell for the same price. This is called flat pricing. If you need 50 milligrams of your drug every day, you can purchase the 100 milligram pill instead for the same price, and split it in half yourself at home. There are pill splitter devices available to help you cut your pills in half. Naturally some pills are not suitable for splitting. Pill splitting provides the opportunity to save 50% of the cost of prescription drugs. Check with your doctor for the high-dosage prescription.
Use Prescription Medicine on the $4 Price List
Some pharmacies in large stores have a list of generic prescription medicines that cost only $4 for a month's supply. You can also get a three-month supply of your medicine for $10.
Don't Use Your Insurance for Inexpensive Drugs
Even if you have medical insurance, don't use your insurance for low-priced drugs. The insurance copay can be more than the actual price of low cost medicines. You save more money by paying out-of-pocket for these $4 medicines.
Qualify for a Prescription Assistance Program
Pharmaceutical companies have patient assistance programs for low-income, uninsured people. You can qualify if your household annual income is under $44,100 for a family of four, under $29,140 for a family of two, and under $21,660 for an individual. You can find help and guidelines at the Partnership for Prescription Assistance by phone or online at www.pparx.org. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance is a nonprofit organization run by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America. It helps uninsured or low-income consumers get access to public and private prescription assistance programs.
Are you a veteran of military service? You may qualify for low-cost prescriptions through the Veterans Administration.
Take Combination Prescription Drugs
Are you taking medication for more than one condition? There are combination pills available designed to replace two pills. The result is convenience and lower cost. For example, medication for cholesterol and high blood pressure is combined in Lipitor and Norvasc. Blood pressure medication can combine your prescriptions for beta-blockers and diuretics. There are many other combo pills available that might save you money.
Don't Ask for Advertised Brands of Prescription Drugs
Don't believe everything you hear in advertisements for prescription drugs. And don't ask for a particular brand drug from your doctor. Your doctor probably knows effective, low-cost alternatives you haven't heard about.
Buy Prescription Drugs in Large Quantities
Buy a larger supply of prescription drugs. A 90-day supply of your medication is likely to save you money compared to a 30-day supply, as much as 30%. If you are on a long-term drug, this could result in substantial dollar savings over the year.
Save Money with Online Coupons for Prescription Drugs
For asthma and COPD, you can find coupons online for prescription medication at these web sites:
www.advair.com, www.asmanex.com, www.maxairautohalercoupon.com, www.mysymbicort.com, www.proairfa.com, www.proventilhfa.com, www.singulair.com and www.ventolinhfa.com
For depression, find coupons for prescription medication at these web sites:
www.cymbalta.com, www.effexorxr.com, www.prestiq.com
For diabetes, find patient assistance at Together Rx Access program and their web site www.togetherrxaccess.com
Find coupons for diabetes drugs at www.actos.com, www.avandia.com and www.onglyza.com
For enlarged prostate in men, saw palmetto is an over-the-counter product for relief of symptoms. It is effective about 50% of the time. Talk to your doctor. Saw palmetto might replace the antiandrogen drugs you are taking.
For GERD or acid reflux, you can find coupons for prescription PPIs online at these web sites: www.acidphex.com, www.dexilant.com, www.prevacid24HR.com www.prilosecotc.com and www.purplepill.com
For high cholesterol, you can find help for uninsured patients and coupons online at www.astrazeneca-us.com, www.crestor.com, www.lipitor.com, www.pfizerhelpfulanswers.com, www.trilipix.com and www.zetia.com
As always, you can save money on medical expenses and prescription drugs by maintaining good health and becoming an informed patient. As your doctor would probably tell you, you should lose weight, stop smoking, avoid alcoholic beverages, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet.
Note: The author of this article is not a physician. This information is provided for educational purposes only. This information is not intended to replace medical care and your doctor's advice.
I hope life brings you much success.
I wish you a very happy day.
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