Four Steps to Lower Drug Cost
Here is a basic four step approach to help you control the cost of your prescription drugs. Starting with the easiest and moving to the more complex.
First of all look for generic alternatives to your current brand name drugs. Look up your drugs (LINK) and see if there are less expensive alternatives we recommend. If your drug has not been reviewed, there will be a link to request it on the search result page.
It may be helpful to explore the $4 programs similar discounts offered by some chain pharmacies. However, it is not a good idea to have your prescriptions filled at different pharmacies, because there will be no way for them to detect drug interactions or other problems.
Evaluate which of your drugs you really need. Very often, doctors don’t think about discontinuing drugs. In addition, some preventative drugs are just not that valuable. Again, review the information we provide on this site and discuss with your doctor.
Some medication regimens are very complicated. You should schedule a specific appointment with your doctor to review your medication list with the purpose of simplifying it. We do offer a consultation service to review your medication list and give you written recommendations to take to your doctor. Depending on the list, it may require that we get your medical records. Please note, we do charge a fee for this service. You can get more information here
Beyond the four steps: In addition to the four steps above, there are organizations like the Area Agency on Aging and ____
Which will help you with resources to help you afford your medications. Walgreens has a free program to help you choose a Medicare Part D provider that will best meet your needs.
regarding $4 drug programs, I think you should suggest that all people who have insurance FIRST try their card at the pharmacy with the $4 drug program. WE need the Rx data, AND the pharmacy cannot charge more than $4 to the health insurer. However, some of the insurance programs can only charge members half of the insurance cost. So members might get it even cheaper than $4. Indeed, most $4 drugs cost the plan less, so the member WILL, definitely, pay less.
just an FYI for those with Rx insurance.