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How to Save Money on Your Prescription Medicine
How to Save Money on Your Medicine
Anyone who takes medicine knows that the cost of prescription medication is rising in this country. Here are some ideas that may help you pay less.
1. Talk to your doctor. Not being able to afford medications is nothing to be embarrassed about. Your doctor wants to know everything that affects your healthcare, including whether or not you can pay for your medications. If the price means you may not fill your prescriptions and take your medicine, then it is important to be honest about this with your doctor. There may be a cheaper generic drug or a similar medicine that you can take, but your doctor may not consider these unless you explain that you cannot pay for the more expensive drug. Your doctor may also have samples of your medicine that he can give you at no cost.
2. Shop around. Studies have shown that prices can vary a substantial amount from pharmacy to pharmacy. Surprisingly, a medicine may be cheaper at one pharmacy than at another. As much as you may like to have everything at one store and may like a particular pharmacist, shop around to help lower your prescription medicine costs. You should ask your pharmacy if it can match the lower price. You can also ask the pharmacist for part of the prescription if there is the possibility that the side effects will mean you cannot take this drug. Ask your pharmacist if you can fill the rest of the prescription at no extra cost if the prescription works for you.
3. Consider buying online. Savings can be huge. There are online pharmacies that can save you up to 70%! Be very cautious though. Do not buy from sites that will sell prescription medicines without prescriptions. If it's too good to be true, it probably isn't true - don't send money or a credit card number.
4. Look for $4.00 Generics. Recently, Wal-Mart, Sam's Club and Target announced that their stores now offer generic medicine for $4.00 per prescription fill or refill. Walgreens and other pharmacies are considering meeting this price. Be aware that not all generic drugs are offered through these programs and some local pharmacies have been offering the drugs, on the lists, at a similar price. Some critics say that this pricing is a "bait and switch" tactic because many of the drugs on the lists are older generics that are rarely used. For example, Wal-Mart hopes people who can't get their medication for $4.00 may buy it at the higher price then shop at the store before leaving.
5. Consider Canada. A rider on a recent Homeland Security spending bill makes it legal for a U.S. citizen to bring medicine across the border. The Customs and Border Protection agency has stopped seizing shipments of medicine from Canada and will now concentrate on intercepting counterfeit drugs and narcotics from overseas.
6. Study your medical benefits carefully. If you have health insurance, know what is covered and whether or not there is a limit to the total amount of coverage each year. You can get help with insurance questions through a SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program). To learn more about these, click on Ship Sites in the menu on the left.
7. Look for Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs). If you have a low income and haven't checked out these programs, do so. PAPs provide low-cost or free medication for those who qualify. Remember to look for all your medicines, not just the most expensive.
8. Check out Assistance for Specific Diseases and Conditions. In this category, you can find help with a variety of medical expenses, ranging from insurance co-pay assistance to medical supplies. These programs are listed by particular ailment and are sometimes limited to specific geographic areas.
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Added by khorton on May 11, 10:28 AM.
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