How to lower prescription costs and still get the medication you need

(Aging Untold) — If prescription costs have you doing the math every month, there are options to explore to bring the price down and still get the medication you need.

Start with the health care question

Sam Cradduck, a gerontologist, said prescription affordability is a health care issue.

“A medication sitting on a pharmacy shelf isn’t doing anybody any good, and it’s not going to help anybody feel better,” Cradduck said. “So we have to figure out the best way to get them into your hands.”

Ask your doctor and pharmacist

One place to start is with the doctor or pharmacist.

Doctors may have access to free prescription drug programs, including samples left by drug company representatives. Cradduck said patients who are struggling can ask their doctor whether any free medications or samples are available.

Pharmacists know about programs and may recommend cards that can reduce the cost of medications, Cradduck said.

Review coverage and look for assistance

Aging expert Amy O’Rourke recommended that Medicare Part D coverage be reviewed every year and said it should not be left to renew on its own.

A client was paying $100 a month for her Medicare Part D premium. After a review, the premium was lowered to $30 a month, O’Rourke said.

She also pointed to the Extra Help program that helps with the cost of prescription drugs. If you qualify based on income, you can get medications for free or very little, she said.

If insurance denies a medication, O’Rourke said, appeal the decision rather than assuming it can’t be covered. Getting a doctor’s help in presenting the appeal can lead to coverage, she said.

Compare pharmacies and ask about generics

Many people don’t realize how much prices can differ from one pharmacy to another, O’Rourke said.

“Go to the different pharmacies and see what they’re charging,” O’Rourke said. “You would be amazed at the difference in different places to buy medicine.”

Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, said patients can also ask about generics drugs.

“Some of these drugs cost a lot of money, and you can ask them, ‘Is there an equivalent, something else equivalent that I can treat the same condition with?’” Rogers said. “We see that all the time, especially with the blood thinners.”

Cradduck said patients should find one pharmacy that will fill all of their medications for the lowest price, rather than using several pharmacies. Using multiple pharmacies means no one is tracking what is interacting, Cradduck said, and keeping track of that is part of a pharmacist’s job.

If a pharmacist suggests a change, aging well coach Katherine Ambrose said, patients should go back to their doctor to make sure the doctor agrees.

Don’t split pills or skip doses

The Aging Untold experts said patients should not split pills, take half doses or skip doses to stretch a refill before deciding they can’t afford a medication.

Instead, the experts said, ask questions, because resources exist to get medication at a lower cost.

Resource

Extra Help program for prescription drug costs

Key takeaways

• Ask about free samples. Talk to your doctor about free medications or samples, and talk to your pharmacist about programs and cards that can lower costs.
• Review Medicare Part D every year. Amy O’Rourtke said a client lowered the premium from $100 to $30 a month after a review.
• Check the Extra Help program. Check to see if you qualify based on income. Participants can get medications for free or very little, O’Rourke said.
• Compare prices, ask about generics, and stay with one pharmacy. Prices vary by pharmacy, and using one pharmacy lets the pharmacist track interactions.
• Appeal denials and don’t ration doses. Get your doctor’s help with an appeal, and avoid splitting pills or skipping doses.

This program is provided for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice or professional services. The information provided should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, and those seeking personal medical advice should consult with a licensed physician. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen on this program. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. No physician-patient relationship is created by this program or its use. Aging Untold/Gray Media, nor its employees, contractors or agents, nor any contributor to this program, makes any representations, express or implied, with respect to the information provided herein or to its use.