There are a surprising number of ways to save on the cost of your medications. With just a few minutes on the Internet or on the phone, you can often find deep discounts on your prescriptions.
Don’t think that this information doesn’t apply to you just because you have insurance with a prescription plan. As an example, one patient recently discovered that a 90-day prescription of Zetia would cost $37.50 through his insurance mail-order service, but a local supermarket pharmacy would fill the same prescription (with a coupon) for a cash price of $21.57 — a savings of almost $16.
Here are some great ways to save on prescriptions:
Many local independent pharmacies have discounted medications, and provide better service than large pharmacies. Here is a list of some nearby pharmacies we frequently recommend trying out:
Our two state medical organizations have helped develop drug purchasing discount cards to help patients both without and with health insurance to be able to buy many medications at steeply discounted rates. Some insured patients actually find that some of their expensive medications are actually cheaper to purchase using the drug discount card than using their insurance prescription plan. Each card provides different discounts on different drugs, so be sure to try both cards. Go to the following websites to get your discount drug cards:
Finally, if you cannot afford your medications and cannot find discounts, may pharmaceutical manufacturers have “Patient Assistance” Programs” in which they will supply and ship free brand name medications to patients who qualify based on very reasonable income requirements. These discounts are also usually available for medications not covered by any insurance plan or if the patient is in the Medicare “donut hole”. To see if you qualify for free medications direct from their pharmaceutical companies, try out:
For Medicare patients who cannot afford their medications, the Social Security agency has a special program to help provide medications at minimal to no cost for people who meet certain income and asset criteria. An application can be filled out online at the following website:
https://secure.ssa.gov/i1020/Ee006bSubmit.do
(Use the “Apply Now” button at the bottom of the webpage below “What Do You Want To Do?”)
Alternatively, you can apply by phone by calling Social Security toll-free at 800-772-1213 (TTY 800-325-0778).