Sometimes the cost of medication can put people off getting the help they need when they need it most. If the price of prescriptions is giving you some worry, then here are some smart ways to see if you can get more affordable medication.
Insurance
Make sure that your insurance meets your needs; in most cases, we can negotiate a better deal – and still have a plan we can afford. The coverage you have and the price will likely change year on year, and you should be keeping track of any changes.
One factor that can change how much you need to pay is your deductibles. Often plans with lower premiums have high deductibles, which will leave you paying more for medication.
The covered medication can also change, and if your insurance no longer covers you, you can request that your doctor appeal to the company and ask for an exception.
Discounts
If you don’t use your insurance to cover the cost to pay for your medication, then you can find some coupons and vouchers online that can reduce the cost of what you’d usually spend.
There are many fraudulent websites, though, so you need to make sure you only choose pharmacies with the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice symbol.
Ask the pharmacist
If you are at the counter and the amount you need to pay is too high for you, rather than refusing the medication – ask them to look for a cheaper alternative. Great pharmacists will be able to find the proper medication for you at a better price. However, some medicines don’t have any alternatives from time to time.
Your pharmacist isn’t required to help you find lower-cost medication, so if they are going to help, make sure that you thank them.
Talk to the doctor
Your doctor might not be aware of your situation, and often medication costs aren’t discussed in the office. When talking about medication, ask if there are cheaper options and explain that you need the most cost-effective option.
Generic options can cost as much as 90% less than their branded counterparts. It can also be worth talking about alternative therapies or therapeutic options.
And, when discussing your prescription, see what the cost for the 90-day and the 30-day are. This chance can mean you’ll only need to cover one co-pay rather than three.
Skip insurance
You don’t need to use your insurance to pay for your medication if you have generic over-the-counter options. You must shop around to get the best deal, and they can vary by hundreds of dollars.
Before you fill in forms or hand over cash, ask the pharmacist if it will be cheaper to bypass your insurance altogether.
Most of the time, people pay for their medication without asking if there are cheaper options – and a simple question could save you hundreds of dollars.
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