Prescription drugs, however necessary they may be, can sometimes come with astronomical price tags. Here’s how to save money on prescriptions that you need.
If you’re sick or need medication on a consistent basis, you know that prescriptions are one of the main areas where you can spend a lot of money easily. Even if you have insurance, there are some medications that simply aren’t covered, or only a portion is handled by insurance.
This begs the questions: how do you save money on prescriptions without sacrificing medicine or quality altogether?
Believe it or not, it’s possible, and there’s a variety of ways you can save on the cost of prescription drugs. Learn more and get ready to put money back into your wallet.
Find out If You Can Order a 90-Day Supply
Although many folks aren’t aware, getting a 90-day supply can help save money on the cost of prescription drugs. Buying your medication in bulk yields cheaper rates for you.
It’s also less of a hassle since you’re only coming in once every three months, rather than every four weeks (or more). But what if you didn’t need to leave your house?
Thanks to prescription drug plans and depending on your medication, you can get it sent through the mail, enjoying the same money-saving benefits. If a mail-order drug plan sounds simple enough and easy to do, it’s worth the time to look into.
To Save Money on Prescriptions, Switch Pharmacies
Some pharmacies are always more expensive than others. Just as you would scout around and look at different hotels to get the best deals if you were traveling, it’s important to do the same with your local pharmacy.
Start by calling and finding out what they charge for your medication. When you find a cheaper pharmacy, evaluate if it’s worth switching based on:
- Where the pharmacy is located
- The price difference between the two
- If you can run any other errands or complete shopping while waiting for pills to get filled
Sometimes a simple switch is all that’s needed in order to bring down the cost and make it worth your time to save money.
Check out the Generic Options to Save on Drugs
Generic drugs are often underrated, which is a shame. Generics provide the same useful results that their name-brand counterparts do at half the cost.
According to the FDA, these medications posses the same active ingredients. If you’re still feeling unsure, discuss the pros and cons with your doctor.
If you want to cut expenses and not switch to a totally different medication, using a generic is more than just affordable, but also easier on your lifestyle. Think of it as buying store brand cereal instead of the popular name brand: you still get all the benefits but save a little extra money.
If you’d feel better doing your own homework, you can research various prescriptions and their generic counterparts yourself. Click here for more, and see the savings up front without even going to a store.
Find out If There’s a Rewards Program at your Pharmacy
Pharmacies usually offer rewards programs where you can earn points for your purchases. If you plan on buying a lot, have several prescriptions, or do other shopping at your drugstore, this is a helpful way to get money back.
Normally visiting your pharmacy or going to their website can give you more information. If you discover they have a program, take advantage right away.
Many pharmacies offer rewards cards that you can use the same day you sign up, allowing you to get the most out of your benefits. If you’re not up for changing where you shop for medicine, check out this possibility to help save money.
See If You Can Get an FSA
FSAs, or flexible spending accounts, are normally offered by your place of employment. Many people don’t pay attention to these, often focusing on details such as health and dental insurance.
Although not every company provides this to employees, it’s worth finding out if yours does. You can set up the account and use your money pre-tax to pay for any needed medications.
If you’re purchasing a lot every month or have several family members who need medicine, try to take advantage of this as soon as you can. Contact your HR department or check out your benefits paperwork and find out if this is something you can use.
Learn If You’re Eligible for Assistance
Sometimes medication is prohibitively expensive. This might be after all your funds get exhausted for other expenses, such as rent, food, and insurance, or how many different medications you need for yourself or your family per month.
Although assistance isn’t always a long-term benefit you can take advantage of, it’s useful if you’re trying to start a new job or a second job, or if you’re waiting to switch to a cheaper type of medicine.
Various types of assistance can come from:
- Medicaid
- Your local county providing medication assistance
- Religious organizations such as Catholic Charities
Make sure to find out what’s available by you before you contact an organization. Review their guidelines for income, how many people are in the household, and what other expenses you handle.
When you need your medications but you’re having trouble coming up with the money to pay for them, assistance can provide relief until things get better.
Discover More
When you’re trying to save money on prescriptions, it can seem overwhelming at first. Make sure you find out where you can cut costs and what options you have.
Doing so allows you to stay on your normal medication without cutting pills or sacrificing quality against the advice of your doctor.
If you’re looking for more ways to save money, we’re here to help. Check out our blog posts on money-saving advice, and find out how you can put cash back in your pocket.