About this topic
When your doctor orders a drug for you, it is important to take it as directed. Some people are not able to take their drugs as ordered because they cannot afford them. Your health insurance may not pay for prescription drugs. The drug may cost too much. If you cannot afford your drugs, there may be ways to help you. ‚
General
It is important to work with your doctor to make sure you are able to have the drugs you need to treat your health problems. Here are some things you can do that may help lower your drug cost. ‚
- Be honest with your doctor about how much you can pay. Ask how much the drug will cost and if there is a cheaper or generic drug that you can take instead.
- Understand what your insurance will pay. Sometimes you need special approval for a drug. Maybe it will be cheaper if the pharmacy mails it to you. Sometimes it costs less if the doctor orders a 3 month supply of the drug at one time.
- Ask your doctor for samples of the drug. Sometimes your doctor may have free samples or coupons to give you.
- Learn about prescription assistance programs in your area. Many times, a state or community will have a program to help pay for drugs.
- Look for programs by drug companies that offer free or low cost drugs to people who have problems paying for their drugs. Ask your doctor or pharmacist the name of the company that makes the drug ordered. You can ask that company if they have ways to help you afford your drugs.
Where can I learn more?
Family Wize ‚
http://www.familywize.org/ ‚
Medicare ‚
https://www.medicare.gov/part-d/costs/coverage-gap/ways-to-lower-drug-costs.html ‚
National Alliance on Mental Illness ‚
http://www2.nami.org/content/contentgroups/helpline1/prescripasst_fs.pdf ‚
Partnership for Prescription Assistance ‚
https://www.pparx.org/ ‚
RX Assist ‚
http://www.rxassist.org/ ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-09-10 ‚
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Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚