7 Ways to save Money on Your Prescriptions ...

1. Switch to Generic

One of the easiest ways to save money on your prescriptions is to switch to a generic version when it is possible. Generic medications can be so much less expensive than brand name medications, and are usually just as effective. I would just suggest being cautious when switching to a generic because sometimes they give you side effects your brand name didn’t or you may find they are not quite as effective. Pay attention to how you feel if you switch, and if you don’t notice any difference this is a great way to save money. However, if you do notice a difference in how you feel, don’t despair because sometimes you can obtain a generic from the same manufacturer of your name brand drug that is formulated exactly the same!

2. Ask Your Doctor to Write the Prescription Differently

If you take 60 milligrams of a specific medication, having your doctor write the prescription for 120 milligrams and cutting the pills in half is another way of saving money. Not all doctors are willing to do this, but many doctors are very sympathetic to the cost of prescriptions and want to help you afford the medication they are prescribing. Although, even if your doctor is willing to do this, they might not be able to because some medications can’t be cut in half. However, if this is a possibility for you, it could be quite cost effective. Please don’t be shy about asking your doctor if they can write your prescription differently because it could really help you save some extra money.

3. Comparison Shop

Comparison shopping is not just for major purchases! You can comparison shop for your prescription medication as well. Before taking your prescription in to get it filled, call a few of the pharmacies in your area and find out how much they charge for your medication. You might be surprised to learn that you can save quite a bit of money simply by switching pharmacies. Sometimes the difference can be as much as 10 dollars!

4. Use Discount Cards or Coupons

Pharmacies often offer prescription discount cards at no extra cost. While these cards are usually used in place of insurance, if you don’t have insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover your medication you can save money using these discount cards. An alternative to using discount cards is to find coupons online for your medication. Some websites like goodrx.com have printable coupons that most pharmacies recognize. Taking the extra step to print out a coupon before going to fill your prescription can be really helpful when you want to save a little extra money.

5. Look into Manufacturer Discounts and Programs for Low Income Individuals

Often times you can find discounts for brand name prescriptions on the manufacturer’s website. These discounts are usually pretty good and often ensure that your copay will only be a certain amount of money. While you are looking at the manufacturer’s website you might want to see if they offer help for low income individuals and see if you would qualify for this assistance. If you do qualify, it is generally a matter of filling out an application, which once approved can enable you to obtain your prescriptions for free! It is definitely worth checking into these programs as they can be extremely helpful to those who qualify.

6. If You Have It, Check Your Medicare Part D Coverage

If you have Medicare Part D coverage for prescriptions, you have the option of switching coverage each year. This may seem like a hassle, but switching coverage can result in a huge savings. Each year beginning in October you can go online or call and search to see if a different plan would save you money. Having assisted someone else with this process I can attest that switching coverage really does save a lot of money! I can also recommend calling as it saves quite a bit of time.

7. Use an Online Canadian Pharmacy

Another great tip for saving money on prescriptions is to use an online Canadian pharmacy. Prescriptions in Canada are much less expensive, and there are now pharmacies there that allow you to order your prescriptions online by faxing in a prescription. You will want to make sure that the pharmacy is a certified Canadian international pharmacy, such as the North West Pharmacy, and you will want to have your doctor write you a prescription that has a 4 month supply with refills. If you are wondering if using a Canadian pharmacy is really worth it, I can tell you that one prescription I looked into cost over $100 with insurance for a 1 month supply in the U.S. versus $70 without insurance for a 4 month supply in Canada!

Prescriptions can be so expensive, but if you take a little time, there are so many steps you can take to lower the cost. When you need to take medicine every day, you should be able to take it without thinking about how much is costs and if it fits into your budget. Sometimes it is as easy as switching to a generic and sometimes you need to do a little more work, but in the end having savings is always a wonderful thing! Do you have any other tips for saving money on prescriptions?