How to Save on Drugs with or Without a Prescription
Need to save money on your medications? Use this guide for tips to save on drugs whether you have a prescription or not.
Are you looking for ways to save on drugs? Trying to pay less money for the medications that you need?
If you’re in need of a medication or prescription of some kind, it can be very stressful if you find that it’s going to cost you an arm and a leg to get it. Medications can be very expensive and it may be tricky trying to fit the cost into your budget for the month.
Instead of stressing out, however, you should know that there are options for reducing your medication costs, whether you need prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs. Below we’ll tell you how to do it.
Talk to Your Doctor
One thing you can do to get lower drug prices is to talk to your healthcare provider. Simply letting your doctor know that you don’t have much money to spend on your medications may encourage them to find a solution that works for you. Your doctor may be able to prescribe a drug for you that is cheaper if you let them know that you’re on a budget.
Additionally, your doctor may also be able to give you free medication samples. Many doctors have samples of medicines and will give them to you free of charge.
Letting your doctor know that money is tight is sometimes all you need to do to reduce your medication costs.
Opt for Generic Drugs
Often the best way to pay less money on medication is to opt for generic versions of drugs instead.
Usually, the generic version will be just as effective as the name brand version but will also be considerably cheaper. When speaking with your doctor, you should ask if there is a generic version of a medication you need that they can prescribe you instead.
Additionally, the same is true with over-the-counter medications as well. The generic versions often work just as well. Just about every major medication out there has a store brand or generic version that you can buy whether you need acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or another drug.
Compare Your Options
In addition to opting for a generic drug, another thing you can do to pay less on medication is to shop around more.
Not every pharmacy has the same prices on every medication, whether it’s over-the-counter or prescribed. Additionally, some pharmacies may have sales of certain over the counter drugs from time to time.
It pays to do your research by looking for special discounts or by checking a few different places for drugs and prescriptions that you need. Like with many other items that you need, shopping around can be a great option for drug prices as well.
Shop Online
In addition to checking brick and mortar pharmacies in your area, checking an online pharmacy can be worthwhile as well. Many people use online pharmacies these days to find cheaper prices on important medications.
While you’ll want to ensure you’re only shopping at legitimate online pharmacies for your medications, doing so can end up saving you a lot of money. It can also allow you to have more privacy and convenience as well.
If you’re interested in checking out an online pharmacy, you may want to read more about Maple Leaf Meds now.
Buy in Bulk
Another great option for saving on medications, particularly those that are over-the-counter, is to buy them in bulk.
Opting for packages of drugs that include more pills at once is a much better choice and will often save you a few dollars. Instead of buying the smallest acetaminophen package, you can find you should consider opting for one with a lot of pills in it instead.
Additionally, you can use a mail-order pharmacy to buy medications such as antidepressants and diabetes medicines in packages that contain three months worth or more.
Doing this with many of the medications you use can be very beneficial and the cost savings of doing this can definitely add up over time.
Make Use of a Patient Assistance Program
Patient assistance programs can be a great help for anyone who has a low income and finds it difficult to afford the medications they need.
Some pharmaceutical companies will have programs in which they’ll offer free or lower-priced medications to people in need. They often list these programs on their website, so if there is a specific medication you know you need you may want to check out their website and see if they are any assistance programs available.
Making use of one of these assistance programs can be a huge help in reducing the cost of your medications.
Understand Your Medication Copays
Another crucial step to saving money on medication is to find out about your medication copays and see what options you have for spending less.
There are often different tiers for different types of medications and your copay may vary depending on whether you’re buying generic medication or a preferred version. The copay percentage you have to pay for a drug may change depending on the specific drug you’re getting and whether it is a generic version or not.
You should speak to your insurance company or look on their website for drug formularies to see if you can find out the specifics about a drug you’re considering. By doing so you may find that choosing a certain generic option or a specific brand will end up saving you a lot of money.
Using These Tips to Save on Drugs
If you want to save on drugs it’s crucial that you know how to be thrifty and use your research skills to find better deals. By using the tips above you’ll be able to lower your costs for medications and will avoid going bankrupt as a result of getting the treatment you need.
Looking for more health and wellness tips? Explore our blog now to find more useful information and helpful advice.