Easy Steps to Get Your Prescription Medicines Quickly and Cheaply
Paying for prescription medication can be tough. It’s one of those necessities that are unavoidable, especially if you need them for illness, injury or mental health reasons. Some people spend hundreds of dollars every month on medicine, but there are some tips which could help you save some cash while still getting your required dose. Let’s dive into them:
1. **Talk to Your Insurance Provider:** Always check with your insurance company after your doctor prescribes a medication. Different insurance plans cover prescription costs differently, some cover the entire cost, others only a fraction.
2. **Choose a Good Pharmacy:** Not every pharmacy is created equal. Some may offer a better deal, or a prescription savings program. Start with checking for a local pharmacy online, look for good reviews, and always check if they have same-day prescription fillings and reasonable working hours. Importantly, ensure they have your required medication in stock regularly.
3. **Sign Up for Prescription Savings:** Participate in a pharmacy’s prescription savings program or get a prescription savings card online. These cards offer extra coupons and discounts on popular prescription brands. Hand over your card while dropping off prescriptions at the pharmacy for more savings.
4. **Consider Generic Drugs:** Just like store brand groceries are cheaper than name brand ones, generic medications can save you between 20% to 70% compared to their brand name counterparts. Discuss this with your pharmacist, they can even help you switch to the generic version with the doctor’s consent.
5. **Try Mail Order:** If you regularly use certain medications, you could save by getting them mailed to you in 90-day batches. This method not only saves you the pharmacy trips but also offers additional savings.
6. **Use Coupons:** Medical coupons do exist. Check for these with your doctor, in-store, or online. Try the pharmaceutical company’s website as it often posts offers for discounted prescriptions.
7. **Look into Over-the-Counter Medicine:** Sometimes, your prescribed medicine could also be available over-the-counter at your local drug store. Check with your pharmacist for cheaper alternatives. Bonus: over-the-counter meds usually have fewer side effects.
Prescription medication can sometimes make you feel like you’re breaking the bank, especially if you need it regularly. But with the right approach, like having a good rapport with a reliable pharmacist and using the strategies above, you may be able to lower your costs significantly and still acquire the medicines you need for a healthier life.