Medications are needed by anybody and everybody no matter how big or small they are or how rich or poor they are. Prescription drugs are necessary for many people in order to operate properly. These medicines can be lifesaving for some people. Even if a person has insurance, medicines can still be pricey. Sometimes, people may think that the price at which medicines are sold is the final price and there’s not much they can do about it. However, this is not true.
There are quite a few ways by which you can save money on your medications. Generic versions of the same medicine can be purchased, long-term treatments can be prescribed, and financial aid can be sought if necessary. Let’s look at a few easy ways following which, you can save quite some money on your medicinal needs.
8 ways to save money on medications
Choose a generic alternative
For a fraction of the price, generics are available. When a name brand is made and sold as a generic, it can affect the status and the price of your medicine. There are certain rules that control this.
Allergy medicines that were once solely available by prescription may now be available over the counter or in a combination of OTC and prescription formulations. Dosages may differ, but as long as they are the same, one will be less expensive. Do your research online, with your insurance company, or with your pharmacist.
Talk to your doctor
A medication might cost hundreds of dollars, yet our healthcare system makes it difficult to compare prices. That doesn’t mean they won’t try to help.
Your doctor would prefer it if you acknowledged that money is a concern. Prescriptions are not completed in 20%-30% of cases, causing major health risks. You should inform the director if you are unable to complete the script due to financial reasons.
For example, your doctor may convert you to a generic version of the drug you’re on, or try another drug in the same class. Any prescription assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical companies can be completed by your doctor.
Try different shopping options
When shopping for medication, compare pricing at your local pharmacy, supermarket, or other big medical stores as well as internet vendors and mail-order pharmacies. Online vendors may cost you way cheaper as they usually have many offers going around. In addition, they will also deliver right at your doorstep without you having to go anywhere!
Chains and even individual stores within the same chain might have vastly differing prices. If you have insurance, searching around may not make much of a difference to the amount of your copay. Switching pharmacies to save money might be a simple process for those who pay by check or credit card. Prescription discount programs might help you save even more money on your medication.
Check for free medication samples
Ask your doctor if they have any free samples of the medications you take. Even for long-term prescriptions like asthma inhalers or blood pressure meds, doctors often have full-size samples on hand.
Make sure to ask your doctor if you’ll be able to switch the brand-name product for a generic if you need to. It’s possible that after your sample expires, you’ll be forced to pay for a far more expensive brand-name medication.
Save your money by purchasing a generic version of a well-known brand-name medication. Consult your physician or pharmacist if you’re uncertain.
Leverage volume discounts
The cost of drugs you take on a regular basis can be reduced by asking your doctor to prescribe medicines for 90 days rather than a month’s supply at once. Larger purchases can save you money at mail-order pharmacies as well as some brick-and-mortar pharmacies.
To ensure that you’re getting the best deal, check with the pharmacist to see if the 30- or 90-day prescriptions are available.
You also need to check for the VIPPS-accreditation of the website, which signifies its dedication to safe pharmacy practices before you acquire any prescription drugs online.
Take a bigger dose
Consider taking a higher dosage. A pill splitter can be used to break up some prescription drugs. All you have to do is confirm with your doctor if such a thing is possible in case of your medication. For example, a 10-milligram (mg) pill can be divided into five 5-mg pills. Some drugs cannot be divided, such as capsules or pills that are enteric-coated or those that release medicine over time. It is generally recommended that long-term or slow-release drugs should not be broken up into many dosages.
Look for coupons
To help customers save money on their prescriptions, certain pharmaceutical companies offer discounts or coupons. Certain conditions must be met by consumers before they can use the service. A person can check their eligibility by visiting the company’s website.
A user may also be offered coupons, discounts, and other incentives to persuade him or her into using the pharmacy that offers the best price for the prescribed medication.
Ask your doctor if the medication is still needed
Some people may notice an improvement in their health after having taken a particular medicine for far too long. In certain situations, their doctor may trace this progress to particular health and lifestyle adjustments that the person made in an attempt to enhance their health.
If a person’s health and lifestyle have improved enough to warrant discontinuing or reducing the dosage of their medicine, they should discuss this with their doctor. If this is appropriate, it could save money.
If you decide to take a lower dosage of a drug, you should always consult with your doctor before doing so.
Conclusion
There are plenty of ways that you can use to cut down medication costs. All you have to do is be aware and alert. Keep yourself updated with various medicine delivery apps as they have great discounts on online orders. You must also be attentive to what your insurance covers and is there anything that needs an update.
