Money Saving Idea - Health

Buy online, safely. Often you can reduce costs by ordering prescription online to be mailed to you. Your health insurance company might have a preferred mail-order pharmacy; call the number on your card to find out. Or go to vipps.info for a list of 17 pharmacies that have been approved for safety and privacy by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. Mail-order pharmacies should be used only for medications you take regularly, not for drugs you need to treat a sudden illnes.

Safety Tip: If you buy from a web site, make sure it displays the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites seal. Unverified sites might sell you counterfeit drugs that could endanger your health.

Money Saving Idea - Health

Get financial assistance. Many states, nonprofit groups and pharmaceutical companies can help you pay for your medications, even if you already have health insurance. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance acts as a clearinghouse for such programs. Visit pparx.org or call 888-477-2669 to determine your eligibility. For information on children's programs, go to kids.pparx.org.

Money Saving Idea - Health

Look for coupons. Check optimizerx.com, a site on which drug post links to coupons and free offers. Also check the website of the company that makes your medication (to find the manufacturer, look on your prescription label next to the drug name and the dosage.) If you're willing to switch pharmacies, some stores offer cash rewards or gift cards to new customers.

Safety Tip: If you do change pharmacies, be sure to give the new pharmacist a complete list of all the prescription medications, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs you're taking, so he or she can check for interactions and other potential problems.

Money Saving Idea - Health

Split pills. As long as your pills aren't capsules, and your medication isn't time-released, ask your doctor if it's possible to double your dose and then split each pill in half. The cost per dose is likely much lower that way. When a national magazine priced Lexapro, and antidepressant, the 5 mg pills were about $3 each, and the 10 mg pills were only .16¢ more. Be sure to use a pill splitter - a device available for a few dollars at drug stores and mass retailers - to hold the pills in place and help you cut each one accurately.

Money Saving Idea - Health

Order a 90-day supply of medications. For medications you take regularly, ask your doctor to prescribe 90 days worth. The price per dose is generally cheaper for larger quantities. And if you have insurance, you pay one co-pay instead of three.

Bonus: Fewer trips to the pharmacy to refill maintenance medications.

Money Saving Idea - Health

Get a free pharmacy discount card. A few health-care organizations (not to be confused with your insurance plan) have negotiated discounts that are available to anyone. Download the card from the internet, take it to a participating pharmacy, and get a price break on both brand-name and generic drugs. For example, YourRxCard (866-561-1926; yourrxcard.com) cut the price of a vial of insulin by $9. Another card to try is FamilyWize (800-222-2818; familywize.org). Discounts vary, so check to see what you'll save on your specific medication.

Money Saving Idea - Health

Go generic. About 75% of brand-name drugs sold in the United States have a generic equivalent that costs significantly less. For example, a brand-name allergy drug can be $1 per pill, and the generic version is just .08¢. Walmart, Target, Kroger and other discount and grocery chains offer 30 and 90 day supplies of generic drugs for $10 or less - and that's without insurance coverage! If you doctor hasn't prescribed a generic, ask why. It's possible that the drug is new and there isn't a generic equivalent yet. If so, ask your doctor is there's an older, less expensive medicine that works just as well.

Please note - I do not receive compensation of any kind, monetary or otherwise, from Walmart, Target or Kroger.

Money Saving Idea - Health

Shop around for prescription medications. Drug prices can vary drastically at different pharmacies. Note the name, dose and quantity of the medicine your doctor prescribed, then compare prices at local pharmacies by calling around or searching destinationrx.com. Check prices at your local warehouse clubs too - they often feature substantial discounts. Go to Costco.com and click on "Pharmacy" to see many prices posted. Costco offers an even greater price cut to people without prescription drug insurance.

Please note - I do not receive incentives of any kind, monetary or otherwise, from Destination RX or Costco.