Prescription prices vary by med (often vs in-class alternatives), pharmacy, w/ or w/o use of insurance (+/- deductible paid), charity care if qualified, and copays/guarantees.
As a cost-conscious consumer, I suggest you tell the provider writing the script that you’re on a strict budget. Many have sample stocks in the back or know which option is the cheapest in the class to prescribe for you based on what requires prior authorization.
If you know what you want, I suggest working on securing the cheapest outlet by manipulating variables to minimize the cost.
Via Cheapest Pharmacy vs Mail-Order
To start, I go on GoodRx to compare costs by pharmacy, dose, and number of tablets dispensed. This works for most people as they know what they want/like and want it cheaper and often need it soon.
If the cost is low enough to satisfy me, I have it sent or transferred to that cheaper pharmacy and go pick it up. If not, I vary the dose and number dispensed at the cheapest pharmacy around, I move to the next section.
Your first script bought via GoodRx through the Fetch app (FW1YGN – use my referral for an extra kicker), generates $10 in points towards your first order, and $2 for subsequent. *Remember to go to the “My Account Tab” to give them the Fetch GoodRx details.
Pharmacies may have their own alternative to GoodRx, similar to any affiliate cash-back outlet. I ask them to cost-compare each program at the register and cherry-pick the best offering for each if they have multiple meds to pick up. A single GoodRx order activates the Fetch incentive but using that once and another group’s the other times might save you more.
Check Pharmacies Excluded from GoodRx
If cost prohibitive, I check Costco and CostPlus, and, if open to trying, prices of other meds in the class of med. The Walmart $4 list (https://www.walmart.com/cp/4-prescriptions/1078664) is a consideration as well.
Costco’s (https://www.costco.com/home-delivery) prices are listed in GoodRx but don’t always match prices I find on their web outlet for mail orders. They do Durable Medical Equipment here too, and have the cheapest hearing aids, and cheap prescription glasses. A friend of mine saves 30% on his kid’s glucometer cartridges by getting them through Costco. There’s a manufacturer’s guarantee he actives anytime the pod gets wonky to get a free replacement.
Cuban’s (https://www.costplusdrugs.com/) CostPlus drugs charge a fixed 15% margin and charges shipping for mail-order – transparency and disruption by design. There are some huge savings offerings here and they add more drugs all the time.
3) Look for Pharma Discount and Co-Pay Programs
• https://copays.org/ provides help with copays and https://www.rxassist.org/
lists drug-company assistance programs, state programs, discount drug cards, copay help, and more.
• https://www.needymeds.org/ lists programs that help pay for medicines and supplies. You can search by medicine or manufacturer name. You can also search for free to low-cost or sliding-scale [clinics] or call 1-800-503-6897.
• https://rxoutreach.org/ is a nonprofit, mail-order pharmacy that provides affordable medicine. You can also call them at 1-888-796-1234.
Charity Care and Payment Assistance
• FIND A FREE CLINIC (must qualify based on low income) w/ subsidized Local health departments and clinics can help people with diabetes find medical care at little or no cost at http://FindaHealthCenter.hrsa.gov or call 1-877-464-4772.
• http://211.org is a national database of federal, local, national, and nonprofit medical and social services available in your area.
• The American Diabetes Association has provided a comprehensive list of resources to help make insulin more affordable at http://diabetes.org/tools-resources/affordable-insulin.
• Quickly screen for and apply for charity care for your hospital bills at http://DollarFor.org.
• htpp://PatientAdvocate.org – Get free help finding and applying for financial assistance resources to help cover medical bills from professional patient advocates.
Buy Abroad
Same meds are often available abroad for a lot less. Things you like but can’t get in the states can be had mail-order from Canada. We’ve all heard stories of folks buying a year supply of the meds they know they’ll use while abroad. Folks that travel as much as we do could easily tap that resource.
Satisfaction Guarantee
Check the product website for any guarantees. If none are posted and your expectations aren’t met, contact the manufacturer to resolve the issue. If they don’t respond satisfactorily, you might consider disputing the charges on your card and trying another med. This approach can help you minimize costs (which would otherwise be sunk) and find a solution that works better for you for the long-term.
Variable manufacturer
Last, a word on generics manufacturers. There are many and the formulations may be slightly different. Switching pharmacies might result in a slightly different formulation that works less effectively in your body or brings about a side effect you didn’t experience with the last. I suggest returning the meds to the source where possible in this case. In this exception, buy the version that works best where you can get that version cheapest vs the cheapest overall.
