Things You'll Need:
- Internet
- Name of your prescriptions
- Pen & Paper
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Step 1
Prescriptions can get very expensive especially if you take more than one. There are several different ways to save money on them. First thing you want to do is go www.pparx.org. When you are there select "patients" then enter all of your prescriptions and follow the steps thru until you finish. At the end they will give you a list of programs you may be eligible for. Some other programs like this are http://www.rxassist.org/, and http://www.merck.com/merckhelps/ just to name a few.
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Step 2
Another way you can save money on your prescriptions is to contact the pharmaceutical company who makes the drug. Often these companies have their own programs that they don't advertise. Most have a website with their programs listed. For example NAMI has all mental illness drug companies listed on their website who have assistance programs http://www.nami.org/Content/ContentGroups/Helpline1/Prescription_Drug_Patient_Assistance_Programs.htm . Prevacid makers have a program you can join for savings of $25 off your prescription if you join their Beyond the Burn program, they just require a short survey. This is a card you will get in the mail that is reusable every month even if you have insurance. Advair has a similar program called Breathe
Easier at http://www.advair.com/. Go to each website and sign up for the savings every little bit helps. -
Step 3
There are insurance programs you may be eligible to like Medi-cal and Medi-care that can help you. Depending on your income you may have to pay a share of cost but if you can't afford what you need then government assistance can help until you get other insurance. In most states you can now apply for Medi-cal and Medi-care over the phone. There are also plenty of "medical discount programs" that charge a small fee like The Select Company at http://www.selectcompanyinc.com/information/health_programs.cfm?page=healthcare_assurance_platinum .
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Step 4
Your local health department and health clinic will also have services available to you for a fraction of the cost you will pay at a pharmacy. Most of these services use a sliding fee which means they base how much you pay on your income.
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Step 5
There are now stores such as Walmart and Ralph's that have $4 and $10 prescriptions. Get a list of the discounted prescriptions and take it to your doctor to see if any of the prescriptions you are now taking can be changed to the discount ones.
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Step 6
Doctors are now beginning to help patients out as well. If you ask your doctor most will prescribe double the dose so you can cut the pill in half. How this works is basically you are getting the same number of pills so you pay the same co-payment but since the dosage is double you actually have twice as many pills once you split them. Make sure you check with your doctor before doing this as some pills can't be split. You can tell if a pill is able to be split by looking for the score line down the middle of the pill. Don't tell your doctor that your medicine is not working and that is why you want a larger dose. This is not necessary as most doctors will help you as they understand how the cost of living has increased.
Comments
donlarry said
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elbrus said
on 7/29/2009 Great article. I don't take any prescription medication, but my mother does, so I'll pass this on! 5*
kmorton2 said
on 4/17/2009 Great article! As a social worker, I know this can be a problem! 5*
lildutchgirl56 said
on 1/8/2009 This is great information. I'll pass this onto my daughter who recently was laid off and hasn't any insurance. Thanks!
billcarx said
on 1/7/2009 Lots of good info here. There are also good ideas here http://www.squidoo.com/rxadvocate . Also, if the forms are too complicated or confusing from the pharmaceutical companies, go here http://www.getmeds4free.com and they can do the work for you for a small fee.