If you are getting overwhelmed by medical bills and prescriptions and don’t know what you should really be paying, make sure you get educated. Use these tips at the doctor’s office to help make bills more manageable and easier to understand.
Prescription medication is not cheap, but it doesn't have to break the bank, either. By following these tips, you can ensure you don't pay more than you absolutely need to, which makes it easier to afford your medicines.
Ask for Free Samples
If your doctor is prescribing you a one-time dose of medication such as an antibiotic or if they are starting you on a new medication, ask if you can get a free sample. Doctors often get samples from drug companies, especially ones that are new to the market.
If you are getting a medication for the first time, you might suggest a free sample as a way to "try it out" to make sure it works before committing to a prescription. Make sure you ask extensively about what side-effects you might experience and discuss any allergies you might have.
Use Generic Drugs
Generic medicines are much cheaper than their brand-name counterparts, so you can save a lot of money by using them. For any drug you are being prescribed, ask your doctor to prescribe a generic if it is available. If a generic isn't available, ask if there is a similar generic drug you could use.
Most pharmacies can help you navigate which drugs will be similar enough as well. Always ask questions and do your research. Your pharmacy will be able to help direct you to similar drugs and maybe even over the counter options that do similar things.
Buy in Bulk
Prescription medicine, like many other items, costs less if you buy more of it at once. If your health insurance company offers mail order or bulk purchases, you can save money by buying more than a one-month supply of maintenance drugs you take every month, such as asthma medicine you need refills of often.
Ask your doctor to give you a prescription for three months, six months, or even a year at a time. If your insurer doesn't offer a mail order option or you don't have insurance, ask your pharmacy if it offers discounts for bulk purchases. There are many ways you can buy in bulk so shop around to find an option that works best for your lifestyle.
Shop Around
You would think all medicines cost the same at every pharmacy, but that's not always the case. When you get a prescription, you should call around to different pharmacies to see if there is a price difference.
If you wind up going to a different pharmacy, you might save even more money because they can give you discounts or rebates for switching a prescription to them.
You might also go to an alternative clinic like the ICE, Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence who do their own billing. Talk to them to see what kinds of billing options are available.
You might also go to an alternative clinic like the ICE, Institute of Cardiovascular Excellence who do their own billing. Talk to them to see what kinds of billing options are available.
You can often break up bills and find ways to finance with your clinic so you have a system that works best for you. Just asking can help you find ways to save in the long run. Don’t be afraid to ask and get tips for how to finance from others in your position.
Prescription medication is not cheap, but it doesn't have to break the bank, either. By following these tips, you can ensure you don't pay more than you absolutely need to, which makes it easier to afford your medicines.
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