If you’re one of the many Americans who require frequent refills on prescription medication, the out-of-pocket costs can feel oppressive. Also, considering how inflated healthcare costs are in the United States, the average American is one medical emergency away from facing a financial crisis.
Access to quality care is a right, but unfortunately, the high cost of this turns it into a preserve of a few. Fortunately, by doing a bit of research, finding prescription discount options, and comparing service prices online, you can save a few dollars on wellness and healthcare services. For more information on how these and other avenues work, keep reading.
1. Use a pharmacy prescription discount card.
Pharmacy prescription discount cards go by several names (prescription savings cards, prescription discount cards, and pharmacy savings cards). However you choose to call it, prescription discount cards offer discounts to patients paying for their medications in cash at the pharmacy. Other prescription discount cards, like the ones provided by America’s Pharmacy, also offer discounts on medications that are not covered by your health insurance.
Using America’s Pharmacy’s top prescription coupons is easy. Simply go to their website, type in your prescription, add your location, and the search result will reveal what discounts your local pharmacy has on your prescription. You can also use their mobile app to find the nearest participating pharmacies, and compare which one offers the best discount.
America’s Pharmacy’s free printable prescription coupons or discount cards are sent to you via email or text. At your next prescription refill, show your coupon or discount card to your pharmacist. They should know how to use America’s Pharmacy app.
America’s Pharmacy discount cards are accepted at over 62,000 pharmacies across the United States, including Costco, Kroger, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Rite Aid. It’s important to note that America’s Pharmacy is a savings program and not an insurance plan.
2. Ask your dentist about their payment plans.
Paying your bills on a monthly or weekly basis can be more manageable than making lumpsum payments. That’s why if you’re looking to have orthodontic treatment, you should first check-in with your dentist to see if they offer any flexible payment plans for procedures not covered by insurance.
If you’re looking to fix an overbite, for instance, your dentist may recommend Invisalign. The Invisalign system is an orthodontic treatment that acts as an alternative to traditional braces. Unlike traditional braces, where your orthodontist will glue large and cumbersome wire brackets directly onto your teeth, the Invisalign system uses clear customized plastic aligners. These clear aligners are changed every few weeks, and in the process, delicately align your teeth.
Invisalign providers are specially trained to offer this service, making it a custom treatment plan. Understanding this, it may be helpful to first speak to your local orthodontist to see if they offer Invisalign treatment and their terms of payment for the procedure. As you ask your dentist questions like, “Is the Canadian Springs bottled water great for my teeth?” for instance, also ask what dental procedures qualify for a payment plan.
Also, ask about interest fees, and if they need to check your credit before offering you a custom payment plan. Asking these questions is a great way to avoid getting blindsided by any unanticipated costs. This is because some dental payment plans may be offered through third-party service providers like CareCredit and GreenSky, or directly through your dentist’s office.
Knowing this, be sure to ask your dentist what type of financing options they offer so you can consider if they are a good fit for you.
3. Ask your doctor for a generic equivalent.
If your doctor regularly writes you a prescription for a brand-name drug, next time, try asking them if a generic version of the drug is available. Generic drugs are similar to brand-name drugs in route of administration, dosage, intended use, quality, and characteristics. The only difference is that generic versions are marketed at pocket-friendly prices.
4. Buy your medication in bulk.
Some medications can be split using a pill-splitter, so during your next appointment, ask your doctor if your medication qualifies for this. It’s highly likely that you’ll need to take some of your medication for at least 3 months, so if this applies to you, ask your doctor to write you a prescription for a 90-day supply instead. The fact that you won’t have to refill the prescription as often will also help you save money on copays.
Buying medication from unreliable websites or from the internet is becoming a popular option for people looking to save money on their prescriptions. However, please keep in mind that you might save in cash can be costly to your health. To avoid receiving the wrong, expired, or outdated medication, use the FDA’s BeSafeRx feature to avoid falling prey to unscrupulous online pharmacies.
