How to Save Money on Medications

Recent studies show that more and more Americans are not insured by any health plan and that the #1 reason Americans claim bankruptcy is due to overwhelming medical bills. Here are some suggestions to help at least with the cost of medications.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Your prescriptions (or a list of your medications)
• Contact information for physicians and pharmacies

1. Ask at the pharmacy if there is an alternative that is less costly than what you are currently taking. Some medications that are used to treat the same condition come out with a generic version before others.
2. Often more than one drug will have the same active chemical ingredient but only one brand will be approved for a generic or will be covered by your drug plan. For example: a commonly prescribed drug for depression shares the same active ingredient as a drug to stop smoking. They both have generics available but are marketed under different labeling. Only one of them is commonly covered by insurance.
3. Many medications are scored (an indentation on the pill) by the manufacturer indicating they are safe to cut in half, even fourths. Ask your doctor if he or she can prescribe a higher dose of the same medication and write for you to take only 1/2 of the tablet per dose or even a 1/4 of the tablet. If there is no scoring or if medication is a sustained release, splitting the pill is not advised.
4. Many manufacturers offer price discounts based on higher quantities. If you are a self-pay customer or your insurance doesn't cover a particular medication, ask for a higher quantity. A 3-month fill of a certain drug may save you several dollars over the long run, not to mention less trips to the pharmacy which saves you time and gas expenses.

Tips & Warnings

• Always ask for a less expensive alternative. There may not be a generic for your prescription but that doesn't mean a similar medication isn't available with one.
• Inform your physician as to why you are asking for a change in medication. Your doctor would rather have you take a different medication than was originally prescribed as opposed to you not taking your medication at all.
• Always consult your physician before altering your therapy or dosage.
• Some physicians will not change a medication -- that is up to their discretion as your medical advisor. And it is your discretion to find a different physician.