How to Save Money on Prescriptions: Discount and Free Prescription Medicine Programs

Prescriptions are expensive but still a necessity in a tough economy. Some people try to cut down on their dosages despite the risks, some go days without their prescription medications and risk their health. Some items like Diabetes test strips get expensive and may seem like a potential area to economize when times are tough. Don't presume your doctor knows about the cheaper or free options that might be available, but it is worth asking. Here are some ideas for free or cheaper prescriptions:

Is your medication cheaper in another dosage? See if the medication you take is cheaper for the same medicine but in a different dosage pill. Do you take 10 MG of something 4 times a day? It might be cheaper in 2 20 MG tablets cut in half than 4 10 mg tablets cost you now. Many medications are more expensive - up to twice the price - at smaller dosage pills. Find out the price for the same medication you take but at a higher dosage pill which you can split in half with a pill cutter. Ask your doctor to revise your prescription to the cheapest MG increment. A popular blood pressure medicine as well as a popular cholesterol medication is actually much cheaper when purchased in a larger dosage pill cut in half. Ask your pharmacist and doctor what options exist and ask your doctor to adjust your prescription to save some money.

Do you qualify for a discount club? Are you over 50? AARP has discount prescription programs as well as other discounts and freebies on insurance (including gap policies) and other services like travel for about $16 a year. Some insurers offer a discount card

Do you qualify for free medications from the drug manufacturer? Check out if you are eligible for any of your medications for free - typically for the uninsured but sometimes still available in special situations such as high medical costs in your family - by visiting Access to Wellness, which serves as a portal to prescription assistance resources.

This is how this works: type in the name of your prescription - make sure you know the brand name and the generic and see what programs are available. If you know the manufacturer, look them up directly. Some drug manufacturers such as Pfizer give free medications, others give discounts, and there are expedited programs for some emergencies. Even if you do not qualify for free medications, there are some discount cards and discount rates on generics available on these websites. If you do not see your medication listed amongst the programs, check back often to see if it has been added. Some are only for the uninsured (or those who do not have prescription coverage) others are for those with excessively high medical bills. Before assuming you make too much or have too many assets to qualify, contact the company or visit their website for details.

Locate the program for your prescription or prescriptions and bring the forms to your doctor. Have all your proofs of income, etc ready and the forms process relatively quickly. Generally a 3 month supply per medication, and each year a patient is required to re-apply and provide tax information to show they still qualify. Some send the medications to the patient, some send them to the doctor, some give a card that you use at the pharmacy when picking up your prescription.

Some other programs include:

Janssen Ortho Patient Assistance Foundation Patient Assistance Program has free prescription medications to those who qualify.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistancefind the best public or private prescription assistance program to get the discounted or free prescription medications you need. It also has links to many other health care services and partner organizations.

Together Rx Access

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage Program (Medicare Part D) may help you pay for your prescription medicines if you are Medicare eligible.

State and local programs for discounted or free prescription medicationsare often available to residents who qualify. Look for your state under "Participating Programs" on the PPA Web site, PPARx.org.

Even some cancer medications are available and your doctor can request expedited processing.

Some more money saving options:

Does your Pharmacy have a discount program that will save you money? Some pharmacies have discounts up to 30% off.

Call all your local pharmacies to find the best prices for both the brand name and the generic. Wal-Mart and Costco often have the best prices on medications, whereas smaller private pharmacies often cannot compete with this

Is there a generic? Many pharmacies such as Kmart, Wal-mart, CVS and Target are offering many generic prescriptions for $4 or 90 days for $10 or $12. Inquire about what generics are available at pharmacies in your area. New medications go off patent and become available in a generic each year, so even if you inquired before about a generic and none existed, there may be one now.

Prescription costs can be a daunting expense for many families, and some income guidelines for these programs are much more lenient than traditional assistance programs, so it is well worth trying these techniques to reduce high prescription costs.