For patients across the country, filling a prescription can come with tough financial choices. Health researchers at KFF found that about one-third of U.S. adults say costs have forced them in the past year to not refill their medications, cut pills in half, skip doses or turn to over-the-counter alternatives. However, there are safer ways to cut costs. Start by asking about generics Generic medications offer the same quality, safety and effectiveness as brand-name drugs but often cost significantly less. If your drug has no generic option, doctors may be able to prescribe a lower-cost alternative or adjust the dosage to reduce the cost per dose. Shop around before you fill Prescription prices can vary widely by pharmacy. Patients are encouraged to start with their insurance plan and identify the preferred pharmacy, where negotiated prices are often lower. Calling ahead to ask about the cost of both a 30-day and 90-day supply can help avoid sticker shock at the register, and buying in bulk may reduce the cost per dose. Compare the insurance copay to cash prices Online platforms, like GoodRx and SingleCare, partner with pharmacies to provide coupons that often beat insurance copays. Patients can ask the pharmacist to check both options before paying. For example, 30 tablets of generic atorvastatin, used to treat high cholesterol, can retail for $93. With a GoodRx coupon, it costs between $15 and $20. Look for assistance programs Most major drug companies have assistance programs that provide free or reduced-price medications to people who meet income requirements. These are especially useful for expensive inhalers, diabetes drugs and specialty prescriptions. Other resources such as NeedyMeds and the Social Security Extra Help Program can help reduce costs for eligible patients as well. Medicare tools can help older adultsMedicare.gov lets users search for assistance programs by specific medication using its Pharmaceutical Assistance Program Finder, or PAP Finder, and Plan Finder. If you are a Part D participant, find out your plan’s preferred pharmacy, where negotiated prices are often cheaper.Consider warehouse clubs and independents You do not need a membership to fill prescriptions at Costco or Sam’s Club, and many independent pharmacies set lower prices than large chains. Grocery stores may also discount antibiotics and common maintenance meds. Talk to your doctor Experts stress patients should never skip or charge medications without medical guidance, but they should feel empowered to discuss cost just like any other side effect. A short conversation with your care team could save hundreds of dollars and keep your treatment on track.
For patients across the country, filling a prescription can come with tough financial choices. Health researchers at KFF found that about one-third of U.S. adults say costs have forced them in the past year to not refill their medications, cut pills in half, skip doses or turn to over-the-counter alternatives. However, there are safer ways to cut costs.
Start by asking about generics
Generic medications offer the same quality, safety and effectiveness as brand-name drugs but often cost significantly less. If your drug has no generic option, doctors may be able to prescribe a lower-cost alternative or adjust the dosage to reduce the cost per dose.
Shop around before you fill
Prescription prices can vary widely by pharmacy. Patients are encouraged to start with their insurance plan and identify the preferred pharmacy, where negotiated prices are often lower. Calling ahead to ask about the cost of both a 30-day and 90-day supply can help avoid sticker shock at the register, and buying in bulk may reduce the cost per dose.
Compare the insurance copay to cash prices
Online platforms, like GoodRx and SingleCare, partner with pharmacies to provide coupons that often beat insurance copays. Patients can ask the pharmacist to check both options before paying.
For example, 30 tablets of generic atorvastatin, used to treat high cholesterol, can retail for $93. With a GoodRx coupon, it costs between $15 and $20.
Look for assistance programs
Most major drug companies have assistance programs that provide free or reduced-price medications to people who meet income requirements. These are especially useful for expensive inhalers, diabetes drugs and specialty prescriptions. Other resources such as NeedyMeds and the Social Security Extra Help Program can help reduce costs for eligible patients as well.
Medicare tools can help older adults
Medicare.gov lets users search for assistance programs by specific medication using its Pharmaceutical Assistance Program Finder, or PAP Finder, and Plan Finder. If you are a Part D participant, find out your plan’s preferred pharmacy, where negotiated prices are often cheaper.
Consider warehouse clubs and independents
You do not need a membership to fill prescriptions at Costco or Sam’s Club, and many independent pharmacies set lower prices than large chains. Grocery stores may also discount antibiotics and common maintenance meds.
Talk to your doctor
Experts stress patients should never skip or charge medications without medical guidance, but they should feel empowered to discuss cost just like any other side effect. A short conversation with your care team could save hundreds of dollars and keep your treatment on track.