What you actually pay depends on the type of insurance coverage you have. Your pharmacist can tell you what your out-of-pocket costs will be, or you can call your insurance company or check their website.
If a prescribed medication isn’t covered by your insurance, that doesn’t always mean you automatically have to pay the full cost. There are some strategies that can lower your out-of-pocket amount.
Drug Company Assistance Programs
Drug companies often have programs to help you afford their medications. This may be in the form of savings cards or rebates that cover what your insurance doesn’t pay for, or a patient assistance program that provides you the medication free of charge if you qualify. Before paying full price, check the manufacturer’s website first to see if they offer one of these programs.
Discount Tools
Several sites offer coupon cards for pharmaceuticals, such as GoodRx, SingleCare, Cost Plus Drugs, and WellRx, and these can help you find deals, says Nissa Keyashian, MD, a psychiatrist in private practice in San Jose, California. These tools are free to use, and create a digital or physical coupon you can take to a pharmacy to get a lower cost on a specific medication.
Shop Around
Most of all, don’t be afraid to shop around and to ask your health provider for advice, since they frequently see patients trying to navigate insurance and prescription costs during treatment, says Dr. Keyashian.
“Always check with online sites for coupons, as well as the cost at different pharmacies, since there can be a considerable difference even with the same medication,” she says. “I’ve had patients pay $400 for a medication at one pharmacy that they could have gotten from another in the same town for $10.”
Although there are instances where you might not be able to get a certain booster due to cost, there are usually other effective medications that are more affordable, she says. It might take some effort, research, and time to find a solution that’s the right fit for your condition — and your budget.
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