Did you know that 1 in 4 Americans that take prescription drugs say that it is difficult to afford their medications? Saving on prescriptions is becoming more important for everyone because people are looking to save money in every way possible. If you are looking to save on prescriptions, we are here to help you.
Keep reading to learn more about saving on prescriptions.
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1. Generic Brands
Even when a doctor gives you a prescription for a brand-name drug, you do not have to pay brand name money for that medication. You can ask the pharmacy if there is a generic version available. Any generic option will have the same active ingredients as the prescription with the brand name but it will cost you less money.
2. Compare Prices
When buying prescription medications you can compare the cost because they will vary based on the pharmacy filling it. You might be surprised at the price difference between a pharmacy at a CVS and a Walgreens. Thanks to technology, you can look online without having to go into each pharmacy in person.
For example, you can take a look at Nexium generic cost and compare prices right on the site.
3. 90-Day Supplies
If you have routine medications that you have to take every day, consider ordering 90-day fills instead of going every other week or once per month. Ordering 90-day fills will reduce your price and if you pay a copay every time you pick up your medications you will saving on prescriptions two copay payments.
It will also be a bit more convenient because you will have fewer trips to the pharmacy.
4. Pharmacy Savings Cards
There are plenty of prescription discount cards to choose from. Companies like SingleCare have reduced prices up to 80% off, and the best thing is that they are easy to use, and they are free. Any savings card you find online usually has an app to go with it.
Even if you have insurance you can compare the price of the medication with the saving on prescriptions card to see if it is cheaper or not.
5. Coupons
There are more coupons out there for medications than you might realize. Some pharmacies offer coupons to entice their customers to fill prescriptions at their location. For example, they might offer you a $10 or $20 gift card to use in the store on your first prescription as a new customer.
You can also look on the manufacturer’s website to see if they have any coupons they are offering. Sometimes they have coupons for people that meet certain qualifications.
6. Financial Assistance
Depending on your financial or living situation you might qualify for prescription assistance through your local county or state government. Do a search online for “pharmaceutical assistance programs” in your area to see if there are any options.
You can also call all the pharmacies in your area and ask them if they offer any free prescription drug programs for certain people based on income levels. Sometimes they offer free medications for certain conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Or, there are pharmacies that offer free antibiotics at all times.
There are also nonprofit companies that will offer to help those in need with their prescription drugs. Search on a site like Needy Meds for any prescription discounts available to you based on your needs.
7. Mail Order Pharmacies
Ordering medications online might be cheaper when the pharmacy does not have a sticks and bricks pharmacy location. Mail-order pharmacies tend to have a lot less expenses and overhead when compared to your local pharmacy store.
With less overhead, they are able to offer their medications at much lower prices. The best way to find a reputable mail-order pharmacy is by contacting your current health insurance provider and asking them if they have any partnerships with a mail-order pharmacy.
Once you find a reliable mail order pharmacy you can have your doctor send your prescription medications to that company, and then they will deliver your meds right to your front door.
Keep in mind that there are pharmacies online that are selling counterfeit pills that will not help you. The main thing before you buy any medicine online is that they are part of the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Site (VIPPS) program. You also want to make sure that they require you to have a prescription in order to make a purchase.
If they are willing to sell you drugs without a prescription, this is a major red flag that they might not be legit. Small things like contact information, phone numbers, and a physical address are important details that you want to make sure they have on their site.
8. Medicare Part D
If you are already receiving Medicare then you can look into adding Medicare Part D to your current plan. This will help reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for your medications. Make sure that you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and/or B before purchasing Part D.
Is Saving on Prescriptions on Your Mind?
We hope that now that you have our top tips about saving on prescriptions, you can do your research before you spend money on your next prescription meds. Whether you have insurance or not, there are always ways to lower your out-of-pocket expenses for your medication.
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