Even with insurance that covers prescriptions, medication can be expensive. Here are some tips to help you save a little money on your prescriptions!
Money saving tip number one: Go generic! Many name brand medications are now available in a generic form. Generic medications are tested for safety and ability to treat diseases the same way name brand medications are. They work the same… for a LOT less. For example: my name brand Zoloft used to cost around $90 per month (without insurance). The generic version cost less than half that when I first made the switch.
If you do nothing else on this list, switching to generics can save you a lot of money. However, there are some medications that are not yet available in generic form.
Money saving tip number two: Ask for samples at the doctor’s office. Pharmaceutical companies often provide free samples to doctor’s offices. So if you’re trying a new medication or are only going to be on a particular prescription medication for a short time, it doesn’t hurt to ask for a sample. I’ve gotten a full course of antibiotics for free in the form of a sample pack from the doctor’s office.
Money saving tip number three: Join the pharmacy’s discount club or rewards program. My pharmacy (Rite Aid) has a prescription discount program for people without health insurance (like me). There was no cost for me to join, and it reduced the price of my generic medication to less than $10 per month.
Money saving tip number four: Ask your doctor about dividing pills. Some medications can be broken in half and still work their way through your system correctly. If yours is one of these, your doctor could order a double-dose and you could cut them in half with a pill cutter, giving you a two month supply for the cost of one!
Not all medications come in a dividable form, so this may not be an option for you. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your options!
Money saving tip number five: Contact the drugmaker directly. Have you noticed a new trend in pharmaceutical commercials? There’s a little tagline at the end of many drug commercials now, saying that if you can’t afford your meds, they might be able to help. If times are tough and you’re struggling to afford your prescription medications, try appealing directly to the manufacturer.
It’s bad enough to face tough times without having to face them without the benefit of continued good health. If you’re having trouble affording your prescription medications, help is out there.