Prescription Discount Drug Cards - A Mixed Bag of Results
Find Part I of this series: Work with Your Doctor to Save Money on Prescription Drugs
or Part II of this series: You May Be Eligible for Prescription Assistance Programs
Those of us with health insurance have little concept of the actual price of prescription drugs because we pay only co-pays to obtain the drugs we need.
But for those who have no prescription drug coverage, even if they have insurance that covers other aspects of their healthcare, the cost of drugs too often stands between them and wellness.
Here’s an example for you. I take Prilosec everyday to treat acid reflux. I have three options; Without insurance, I can purchase a 30-day supply over-the-counter for about $20. My insurance co-pay for the generic (called omeprazole) is $9. Or (this may surprise you) my insurance provides the branded version of Prilosec OTC for free.
It’s no wonder those without insurance have trouble paying for the drugs they need. In this case, the difference is $20 a month or $240 a year. For some drugs, the difference could be thousands of dollars.
Some help is available to those who are uninsured or underinsured in the form of prescription drug discount cards. Like the prescription assistance programs we covered in my last column, they are sometimes offered by a drug’s manufacturer, by governments or other organizations.
Dozens of prescription discount cards can be found on the Internet. Some sources charge a fee, but claim you’ll save that amount and more when you use the card to fill a prescription at the pharmacy. But pharmacists tell me the savings is rarely more than a few dollars. I recommend you stay away from any discount drug card you need to purchase since it is unlikely it will pay for itself.
Some cards are free, and are available simply by asking your pharmacist. Many pharmacies offer discount cards or other incentives for those who are uninsured.
Savvy patients develop methods to combat and control the amount they must pay for the drugs they need. Discount drug cards are one tool for doing so.
Learn more at About.com: Prescription Drug Discount Cards
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© 2008 Trisha Torrey |
