cheap prescription drugs

How to Get Free Medicine from Drug Makers

March 26, 2020 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

On average, Americans spend $1,200 per person on prescription drugs every year. Certain medications are shockingly expensive. For example, Revlimid, a prescription that treats blood cancer, runs around $20,000 for a 30-day supply. To say that most people can’t afford a price tag like that is an understatement. But, even if you can’t shoulder the cost of your medications, that doesn’t mean you have to skip your meds. It is possible to get free medicine from drug makers. If your prescription costs are too high to manage, here’s what you need to know about this option.

Free Medicine Through Patient Assistance Programs

Most major drug manufacturers offer a patient assistance program (PAP). Also known as a pharmaceutical assistance program, it is designed to help individuals who may not be able to afford their medication without some help. While the programs focus mainly on the uninsured and underinsured, others may also qualify.

If you are eligible for the PAP, then you’ll get access to free or low-cost medication from that manufacturer. Precisely how that unfolds varies by program, so you’ll have to go over the details to determine how the drug maker ensures you aren’t stuck with the financial burden.

However, it could involve the drug maker shipping your prescription straight to your door or directly to your doctor. When this occurs, either you or your doctor will need to play your refills well in advance. It can take several weeks for new orders to arrive, so you’ll have to be on top of things to ensure you don’t run out of your meds.

Qualifying for Free Medicine from Drug Manufacturers

Every PAP has different eligibility criteria. Usually, the biggest determining factor is your household’s income. Since a PAP is meant to help those who can’t afford their medication, your household’s income has to be below a particular line. That limit is set by the drug maker, though it’s typically higher than the limit for Medicaid eligibility.

The manufacturer may also take other factors into consideration. For instance, some drug makers also gather information about your assets. You might have to provide details about any investment accounts, for example. When that occurs, even if your income is low, if your investment account balance is healthy, you might not be eligible for the PAP.

Can You Use More Than One PAP?

Generally, yes, you can use more than one PAP at a time. If you have medications made by different companies and meet each manufacturer’s PAP requirements, you may be able to get free prescriptions from both drug makers.

Normally, the only time you couldn’t use multiple PAPs is if they would be covering the same medication. That typically isn’t an issue with drug maker PAPs. However, there are other PAPs that aren’t tied to one manufacturer. They may be more restrictive about using more than one program

Ultimately, it’s always best to read the fine print to find out before you move forward with any PAP. That way, you’ll know if there are any potential issues ahead of time.

The Largest Drug Manufacturer PAPs

Certain PAPs are particularly large. They are run by major drug manufacturers who produce a wide variety of medications. As a result, there may be a significant number of people who could use (and qualify for) assistance, and they have the financial means to alleviate patients of the burden.

Here are just some of the largest drug manufacturer PAPs:

Smaller drug makers may also have their own programs. If you have a medication not made by one of the manufacturers above, consider doing a search. You can use the Medicare PAP finder or use a search engine.

If you go the latter route, do exercise caution. There are PAP scams out there. For example, if you have to pay a fee to apply, it’s a scam.

In most cases, if you head to the manufacturer’s website first, you can access details about its PAP from there, if one’s available. That may be a safer road than using a search engine as you’re starting out on the drug maker’s site.

What to Do Before the PAP Kicks In

Even if you qualify for a PAP, it can take time for your application to process or for you to receive your benefits. If you need medication immediately that you can’t afford, speak with your doctor as soon as possible. They may be able to provide you with some free sample packets to cover the gap, ensuring you can remain on your prescription.

Additionally, your doctor may know about other programs in your area that can help. That way, you can get your medications during the period before the PAP kicks in.

Do you know of any other tips that can help people save on their prescriptions? Tell us about them in the comments below.

Prescription Hacks That Can Save You Thousands

February 20, 2020 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

High prescription drug costs can be challenging to manage. One study showed that 28 percent of Americans (of pre-Medicare age) don’t take their prescriptions as written because of the price. In some cases, they are skipping doses, taking less than they should, delaying refills, or forgoing the prescription medication entirely. This can put the person’s health in jeopardy, though many feel that they don’t have any other choice if they are struggling to afford their medication. However, there are things some people can do to reduce the cost. Here are some prescription hacks that could potentially save people thousands.

Shop Around

First and foremost, it’s always best to shop around before you fill a prescription. Pharmacies charge different prices, regardless of whether you have insurance or not. You could end up paying significantly more at one pharmacy than another for the exact same medication.

Contact various pharmacies in your area and ask them what each of your prescriptions would cost. Don’t ask for the total price for all of your medications, as some pharmacies may be cheaper for some but not others.

If you don’t want to make all of those calls, you can also use a prescription drug cost comparison site. For example, GoodRx has information from tens of thousands of pharmacies, so its data might be enough.

Use More Than One Pharmacy

While going to more than one pharmacy might not be as convenient as only using one, it could help you save a bundle. After you find out which ones have the lowest prices on each of your prescriptions, you might want to have your medications handled at a few different pharmacies, especially if the cost difference is substantial.

Skip Your Insurance

Many people assume that, if they have prescription drug coverage, they are getting a better deal than people without insurance. However, that isn’t always the case.

Depending on your insurer’s arrangements with pharmacies, as well as your deductibles and copays, you could actually end up spending more by using your insurance. This means, by telling your pharmacy to skip the insurance, you could actually save money.

Before you fill a prescription, find out what it would cost if your insurance wasn’t involved. Sometimes, the amount you can save is dramatic.

Just keep in mind that, if you use this approach, your prescription drug spending won’t go towards your deductible automatically. You might need to contact your insurance to see if there is a way to apply those purchases or live with the fact that they won’t help cover your deductible.

Use Coupons

A lot of people don’t know that you can find coupons for prescription drugs. In some cases, the medication manufacturer issues coupons. They may be readily available to anyone or be offered through specific programs, such as those that aim to help people afford their medications.

However, there are also other sources. Sites like GoodRx, RxSaver by RetailMeNot, and WebMDRx may have coupons for your prescriptions. Just search for your medications and see what’s available.

Get Larger Supplies

If you’re on a long-term maintenance drug, you might want to see if your doctor can alter your prescriptions so you can get a larger supply. Sometimes, instead of picking up a 30-day supply, you can save by getting a 90-day supply.

For example, if you got three 30-day supplies, you may pay three insurance copays. But, if you got one 90-day supply instead, you only pay a single copay. That’s a 66 percent savings right there.

Switch to a Generic

Name brand medications usually cost more than their generic counterparts. Unless there is a specific reason you need the name brand, switching to a generic might be a good idea. You’ll need to discuss the option with your doctor, as it does have to be authorized by them. But, if one is available, you could save a ton by going generic.

Get Bigger Doses and Use a Pill Splitter

If your pills can be safely split, then asking your doctor for a larger dose and investing in a simple pill-splitter could help you save. Often, the price difference between the dosages is minimal, if one exists at all. As a result, you might be able to functionally get twice the medication for the same price you’re paying now.

It’s important to note that not all medications can be split. If your using capsules, coated tablets, or anything that’s designed to be extended- or slow-release, it can’t be safely split.

Use Your Insurer’s Mail-Order Service

In most cases, if your insurer has a mail-order service for prescriptions, using it is more cost-effective than heading to a pharmacy. This is especially true if you get 60- or 90-day supplies and your need for your medication is predictable, such as having to take one pill a day.

Usually, this approach isn’t ideal for medications that you use as-needed. Since it can take a couple of weeks for a refill to be delivered, any prescription that you take on an unpredictable schedule might not be a great fit. You could end up running out before the refill arrives, so it’s best to take those to a local pharmacy instead.

Change Medications

Sometimes, the only way to lower your prescription costs may be to change medications entirely. This isn’t going to be an option for some but, for those who can make a switch, it could result in a substantial savings.

If there are several medications that could potentially treat your condition, speak with your doctor about all of your options. Discuss why your physician chose the one you are on now and if another could be a suitable alternative.

Take Other Steps to Reduce Your Need for Prescriptions

Certain conditions are what they are. No matter what you do, you’ll need a particular prescription until the condition clears or, in the case of chronic ones, indefinitely.

However, not all medical conditions fall in that category. You may be able to reduce your need for prescriptions by taking other steps, like improving your eating habits, getting more exercise, or living a healthier lifestyle.

If that’s the case, those efforts may be able to help you save a significant amount. Plus, by improving your health, you could reduce your chances of getting other conditions in the future that might require medications.

Do you have any tips that can help people save on their prescription drugs? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Can I Use the Costco Pharmacy Without a Membership?

February 2, 2015 By Jeffrey Strain 4 Comments

You do not need a Costco membership to use their pharmacy

When you look at places to buy prescription drugs to get the best price, Costco warehouses are usually . The problem is, there is a $55 membership fee in order to become a member of Costco, and that fee can eat away any savings you might receive from purchasing your prescription drugs there. What a lot of people don’t know is anyone can get their prescriptions filled at Costco, even those who don’t have a membership.

Federal law is your friend in this case. Due to the way it’s written, Costco must allow you to use the service of their pharmacy even if you don’t have a membership. This means you can take advantage of their inexpensive prices on prescription drugs and immunizations without shelling out $55 for a membership.

To gain access to the Costco pharmacy without a membership, you simple need to tell the card checker at the door you are their to visit the pharmacy and they should let you right in. Once in, it doesn’t give you access to buy anything you want in the store. You are limited to making purchases from the pharmacy (and in some states, alcohol), although there is an easy way to buy anything from Costco without a membership.

If you drive to your local Costco’s pharmacy, you will be able to fill, refill and transfer your prescriptions, but you don’t have to actually go to a physical location to take advantage of their prescription prices. A great option is to order your prescription online through Costco.com. Your prescriptions will be delivered to your home free of charge through standard shipping from the US postal service, and arrive at you home in around 6 to 14 days. This saves you the cost of driving to Costco, and the time it would take out of your day, while still allowing you to get the good pricing.

Another benefit you can get from the Costco pharmacy is standard immunizations. For those who don’t have access to free immunizations through their healthcare, or simply find it more convenient to get them done at a store nearby, Costco has some of the best pricing on immunizations around. You can see a list of the costs here to compare them to other pharmacies in your area. For example, Costco offer a flu shot for $14.99. In addition, they offer immunizations for Hepatitis A and B, HPV, Meningitis, Pneumonia, Shingles, Tetanus/Whooping Cough, and Twinrix. You will need to call your local Costco warehouse to confirm they have the immunization you want in stock before heading over to get it.

It’s important to note that while Costco pharmacies have good overall prices for prescriptions, they don’t always have the best prices. It’s worthwhile to compare with other alternatives in your area to make sure there isn’t someplace you can find your prescriptions for less. It’s also important to note that while Costco pharmacies get good ratings on price, they don’t get the best ratings when it comes to service. If service is more important to you than price, you may want to check out other options as well.

For more info on Costco check out these articles.

Is the Costco Membership Fee Worth it?

Is a Costco Executive Membership Worth the Price?
Costco Gas Calculator: Will I Save Money Buying a Membership if All I Buy is Fuel?

Costco Return Policy

Costco Holiday Schedule

Costco Tires

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(Photo courtesy of Orin Zebest)