How to Get Discounts on Prescriptions

You are not stuck with the high cost of prescriptions because there are ways that you can get discounts on prescriptions. You can also work with health care providers to give discounts and have them write out lower cost prescription drugs when available. Here are some ideas that may help you get discounts on prescriptions.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Prescription
• Insurance Card

1. Read a copy of your drug formulary plan or at least become familiar with the different tiers of prescriptions available. Often your doctor does not know this, so you will have to know this information. This is available online at the insurance company's website or was sent with your initial contract.
2. Ask the pharmacist before filling your prescription what the cost will be. If it is a significant amount, phone the doctor's office and ask the doctor to call in a generic or lower-cost alternative. They are often happy to do this and only prescribe a certain kind of drug because it is new or different. Your pharmacist can also give you a list of similar prescriptions as well as what your out-of-pocket cost will be.
3. Find out which, if any, of your medications are located on the generic discount drug list for the major department stores and grocery chains. There are many available from $4 to $20.
4. Join a discount drug card program if you or your family will need a lot of prescriptions. Many drug stores have this information. Or, consider membership to a group such as AARP if your age qualifies you.
5. Have your doctor write out a 90-day prescription for medications you take regularly. You can go online and fill out an order form on that company's website and send it by mail. Then, send it in to the mail order pharmacy that your health insurance carrier uses. This takes normally 14 business days to complete.
6. Have your prescription filled at a U.S. online pharmacy. Compare rates for the prescription before actually filling the prescription to see if you are getting the best discounts.

Tips & Warnings

• Call the number on the back of your insurance card if you are unsure a prescription is covered or what your share is.
• Use your health savings or reimbursement account benefits as this money is not taxable and will stretch further (see Resources).
• Be aware of your prescription deductibles and copays before you have your prescription filled. You can do this online.

Who Can Help: