Tips to Control Health Care Costs: Tip #6 Take your medications

WhereToFindCare.com's Ten Tips to Control Health Care Costs:

Tip #6:Take your medications.

Your doctor has prescribed medication to treat, monitor or control a health condition. When taken properly, you will most likely keep your condition under control.

If you can't afford your medications, many drug companies, free clinics, pharmacies and community organizations have programs to pay for or subsidize costs for people in need. Also, your doctor may know of programs that can help you.

If you have a tip you would like to share - please let us know.

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What Do You Do If You Can't Afford Your Medication?
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Ten Tips to Control Health Care Costs

What Do You Do If You Can't Afford Your Medication?

These days, many people are finding themselves unable to afford their prescriptions. What do you do if you can't afford your medication?

We found a few free prescription assistance programs and resources available to help:

Together Rx Access
RxAssist
NeedyMeds
Partnership for Prescription Assistance

Many drug companies also have assistance programs for patients using their medicines. Find out what company makes your prescription medication and visit their website to see if they offer help. A few of the major drug makers are below:

GlaxoSmithKline
AstraZeneca
Merck
Pfizer
Abbott

Talk to your doctor for more resources that may be able to help. If you can't afford to see a doctor, you should try a free clinic or federally qualified health center (FQHC) in your area. They provide free or low-cost care to those who qualify, and are often able to assist with medication.

If you know of any other prescription assistance programs, please share them by commenting below.

Discounted Prescription Programs

To help individuals and families struggling with the rising costs of health care, many large pharmacies are offering reduced rates on generic prescription drugs. Here are a few I've found:

Walmart/Sam's Club/ Neighborhood Market Pharmacies:
The program is called the $4 Prescription Program. They offer to fill prescriptions for up to 350 generic medications at $4 for a 30 day supply or $10 for a 90-day supply. They also offer customers more than 1,000 OTC items priced at $4 or less without a prescription. Restrictions apply and the program is subject to change, so be sure to either visit Walmart online: Walmart Pharmacy or talk with your local Wal-Mart, Neighborhood Market or Sam’s Club pharmacist for more details.

Meijer Pharmacies:
They offer a few specific generic medications for free, regardless of insurance or co-pay. There is a 14 day supply maximum at normal oral dosages. They also recently launched a free pre-natal vitamin program, which features five leading brands of pre-natal vitamins. Restrictions apply and the program is subject to change, so be sure to see Meijer online: Meijer Pharmacy or talk with your local Meijer pharmacist for details.

Target Pharmacies:
They offer a $4 program for a large selection of generic medication. The $4 is for a 30-day supply. They also offer 90 day supply for $10. Restrictions apply and the program is subject to change, so be sure to visit Target website: Target Pharmacy or speak to your Target pharmacist for more details.

Kroger Pharmacies:
They offer a 30-day supply of more than 300 prescriptions for only $4, or get a 90-day supply for only $10. Restrictions apply and the program is subject to change, so be sure to visit Kroger online: Kroger Pharmacy or speak to your Kroger pharmacist for more details.

Kmart Pharmacies:
They offer the 90 day generic prescription program. When you join, you are eligible to receive $5 prescriptions for some select medications (quantities vary, based on commonly prescribed doses). A 3 month supply of some select medication can be obtained for $10 or $15. They also offer a discount on women's health prescriptions, keeping the prices between $5-$25. Restrictions apply and the program is subject to change. To get more details, see Kmart online: Kmart Pharmacy or speak to your local Kmart pharmacist for more details.


If you are interested in any in these programs, be sure to discuss with them with your physican.

No Health Insurance? A Tip to Control Health Care Costs

Keeping the cost of health care down when you're uninsured or under-insured is not easy. But learning from one common mistake and a few tips can help you avoid big costs down the road.

Avoid the Emergency Room! This is an extremely expensive place to seek treatment and should only be used when absolutely necessary - like in an "emergency." We often hear about people making the mistake of using the ER as their source of primary care. Others put off basic medical care until their condition becomes serious enough for the ER. This is dangerous, both financially and physically. In many cases it is cheaper to take your medications or have regular doctor visits than it is to go to the ER and be subsequently admitted to the hospital for treatment of a neglected chronic condition. This is the type of thing that gets people into serious financial trouble, like bankruptcy.

Instead, here are some things you can do to avoid a preventable trip the the ER:

1. Use an urgent care or walk-in clinic instead. These places may be more suited to your needs (as long as they are not life-threatening) and are much cheaper. Find an urgent care or walk-in clinic near you.

2. Take your meds. If you can't afford them, many drug companies, free clinics, pharmacies and other community organizations have programs to pay for or subsidize the cost of medications for people in need. A good place to start your research is www.needymeds.org. Also, talk to your doctor. He or she may know of more programs to help.

3. Don't skimp on your primary care, especially if you have a chronic condition that needs to be monitored. If you can no longer afford your doctor, don't be afraid to talk to him/her or to compare prices of other offices. Ask to pay the same as your insurance company used to pay. If that doesn't work, you may want to show them lower pricing of other local physicians. If your doctor refuses to work with you, start looking for another one who will.

If all else fails or you are still unable to afford discounted rates you negotiate with your doctor, find a free clinic in your area. You may qualify for free or reduced fee services. Call the clinic directly to first to see if you qualify and whether they offer the services you require.

Do you have any other tips to avoid the ER or to control health care costs? We'd love to hear them. Share them with others by commenting on this post.

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