Generic Drugs: Same Medicine, Lower Cost: www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm340343.htm?source=govdelivery
Generic Drugs: Questions and Answers: www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/questionsanswers/ucm100100.htm
Government web sites with information about buying drugs online safely:
Know Your Online Pharmacy: www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/BuyingUsingMedicineSafely/BuyingMedicinesOvertheInternet/BeSafeRxKnowYourOnlinePharmacy/default.htm
Buying Prescription Medicine Online: A Consumer Safety Guide: www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/ucm080588.htm
Government web sites with information about the risks of foreign and Internet pharmacies:
The Possible Dangers of Buying Medicines Over the Internet: www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm048396.htm
Buying Medicine from Outside the United States: www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/buyingmedicinefromoutsidetheunitedstates/default.htm
Consumer Reports web sites with information about reducing the costs of medicines:
Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs: www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/index.htm
Surprising Ways to Cut Your Drug Costs: www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/09/how-to-cut-drug-costs-save-on-prescription-drugs-consumer-reports/index.htm
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Pill splitter
Always use a pill splitter when splitting a pill. Do not use a knife. To use a pill splitter correctly, it helps to have good vision and good use of your hands.
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Always use a pill splitter when splitting a pill. Do not use a knife. To use a pill splitter correctly, it helps to have good vision and good use of your hands.
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View OriginalThese Web sites are only for people on Medicare
Medicare: This is the official government Web site that lists the different drug plans Medicare offers. Here you can compare the plans offered in your state and view each plans formulary (list of covered drugs).
General site: www.medicare.gov
Site with information on state help with drug payment (how to contact each program, who is eligible, and other details you should know): https://www.medicare.gov/pharmaceutical-assistance-program/state-programs.aspx
Phone: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
Medicare Rights Center: This is an independent non-profit consumer advocacy group that helps people navigate the Medicare system. The group offers a hotline with counselors who can answer questions and help you make the most out of your Medicare coverage.
Web site: www.medicarerights.org
Phone: 1-800-333-4114
Social Security Extra Help Program: Only for people with Medicare, this official government site has information about the Extra Help program. The Extra Help program helps people pay for the costs: monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments: related to a Medicare prescription drug plan.
Web site: www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp
Site with information about applying to the Extra Help program: http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10525.html
SHIP: State Health Insurance Assistance Program: SHIP is a national program that offers counseling and help to people with Medicare and their families. This site can help you find a counselor in your area who will meet with you one on one and talk to you about your Medicare options.
Web site: www.shiptalk.org
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These Web sites provide information about different programs to help you pay for your medicines
Benefits Checkup (National Council on Aging): This site gives people lists of services and programs for which they can apply. The lists include programs to help pay for medicines, but also programs that don't have to do with healthcare directly. For example, this site has information on finding housing, getting food stamps, and finding elder care. You can search for all types of programs at once or target your search to find a specific kind of service.
Web site: www.benefitscheckup.org
Phone: 1-800-677-1116
Needymeds: This is an independent non-profit organization that provides information about patient assistance from drug companies and the government. The site also offers people a discount card that they can use on prescriptions if they have no insurance or choose not to use their insurance. This card is especially useful in paying for medicines after you reach the Medicare "donut hole" and Medicare is no longer paying for your prescriptions.
General site: www.needymeds.org
Site with state health insurance assistance program (SHIP) information: www.needymeds.org/inclusions/ship.htm
Partnership for Prescription Assistance: This program is run by drug companies and their trade group. It is only for people who do not have prescription drug coverage. The site helps people find programs that will get them medicines for free or for a reduced cost.
Web site: www.pparx.org
Phone: 1-888-4PPA-NOW (1-888-477-2669)
Rx Assist: This site lets you enter the name of a medicine or the name of a drug company to find programs that can help you get that medicine or medicines made by that company at a reduced cost. In many cases, the online applications for those programs are included.
Web site: http://rxassist.org/patients
Phone: 1-401-729-3284
Rx Outreach: This site offers medicines and diabetic treatment supplies at a reduced cost to people who make less than a certain amount of money each year.
Web site: www.rxoutreach.org
Phone: 1-800-769-3880
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