How to Save Money on Prescription Medicine

Prescriptions can be outrageously expensive, and insurance companies are often little to no help when you’re standing at the counter and the clerk is asking you for $300 in exchange for your life-saving medicine.

Remember that you don’t always have to pay full price for your prescriptions, though. Insurance companies may not want you to know this, but there are a lot of little tricks you can use to save some serious cash on your monthly prescription bill.

Don’t Stick With Just One Pharmacy

This is the biggest mistake that people make, especially when their insurance copays are killing them for their prescriptions. People ask their doctors to send their prescriptions to a specific pharmacy, and never consider shopping around.

Instead, ask your doctor for a written copy of your prescription each time and call around to find the best deal. Fun fact: you do not need a Costco membership to use their pharmacy, and they often have the cheapest name brand and generic options.

Sites like GoodRx will let you input your specific drug name and offer you prices for local pharmacies in your area. You should always double-check with the pharmacy before filling the prescription, obviously, but it gives you a great starting point.

Speaking of GoodRx…

Did you know you can use coupons for your prescription medication? Your insurance agent probably never told you because it does not matter to them, but big companies will sometimes offer coupons to get you to use their specific brand.

Sites like GoodRx will help you find and clip the coupons. You can get them texted to your phone, emailed to you, or print them from your computer. Just bring the coupon with you when you go to pick up your prescription, and you’ll save money instantly.

Don’t forget to check the manufacturer’s site before you go, too! Sometimes manufacturers will post coupons right on their site, or offer discounts or promotions. This is just money you’re leaving on the table if you don’t.

Ask for a Larger Supply

There’s a good chance if your doctor prescribes you a 30-day supply, you’re not even going to think about it – you’ll just go and pick it up. But if you’re going to be on this medication for a long time, why are you paying individual insurance copays every month?

Ask your doctor if he can provide you with a 90-day prescription instead. You’ll only have to pay one insurance copay instead of three, which will save you money right off the bat. Sometimes (though it’s rare) pharmacies will offer discounts on a larger number of pills given, so you could save a few extra dollars with that as well.

Ask for Assistance

There are dozens of different programs out there designed for people struggling to pay for their prescription medication, even with good insurance plans. Have we mentioned how expensive prescriptions really are?

Look into local or nationwide programs to see what you qualify for, or go to the company that makes your medication to see what programs they might offer. There is help out there, and there is zero shame in asking.