Millions of people in the US find it hard to buy medications during this pandemic. Even those with health insurance, the almost 27 million that lost coverage as a result of job loss, and Americans who never had one are all affected.
However, some methods can help you cut down on your prescription drug costs in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier in July, the GoodRx site reported that 67 prescription drug prices increased by an average of 3.1 percent. Also, within the period January 1 – June 30, 2020, prices for 857 brand-name and generic medications rose an average of 6.8 percent.
Refills for common medications like Nexium for heartburn and insulin for diabetes can cost about $300. The novel coronavirus has only made the medication cost crisis worse for people with chronic diseases who don’t have a job or are experiencing financial hardships.
How to Save on Prescriptions
You can lower expenses on medications during the COVID-19 pandemic using the following methods:
Pay cash prices instead of co-pays
With the out-of-pocket price of medications, you usually get a much lower deal than the average health insurance co-pay for these drugs. You’ll be able cut down on expenses (typically up to 80 percent) by purchasing your drugs from a pharmacy directly and avoiding insurance completely.
If you have coverage for prescription drugs but don’t know the most affordable pricing, you can get information about the price for your medications (with insurance vs. without one) from a reliable local pharmacist.
Choose an online pharmacy
When you use retail pharmacies, you may get stuck waiting in long queue lines and risk COVID-19 exposure. Not only are online pharmacies simpler, they’re also more convenient because they will deliver your medications to your home.
They can also be especially beneficial for Americans who have recently experienced a job loss and consequently lost their health coverage. Such pharmacies can also help people that were exempted from the pandemic relief.
For instance, as Honeybee doesn’t accept insurance, its cash prices are significantly lower across the board than the average co-pay.
Consider using a 90-day supply
This strategy can be handy if you’re on maintenance medications, like those used for treating chronic conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, or type II diabetes.
It’s a lot cheaper and convenient to get a 3-month supply at once, rather than getting stressed about buying a refill every month.
However, you may need to use an online pharmacy for it since to skip insurance, especially because insurers occasionally restrict the number of refills you’re allowed to pick up at once.
Make use of pharmacy savings cards and online discount programs
With pharmacy savings cards, you can get huge discounts on medications at the pharmacy counter. Programs such as the new Carecard allow you to find your prescription on the Internet to get the lowest prices at a local pharmacy, whether there’s insurance coverage or not.
All you need do is to show your card (or mobile app) to the pharmacist and have access to instant savings. With just a 10-second search, you can save hundreds on your next visit to the drugstore.
GoodRx and SingleCare are 2 other prescription discount programs to check out. They both offer savings of up to 80% discount on prescriptions.
Study your prescription drug plan or health insurance coverage
Consider getting information on what’s covered and what’s not.
David Hannon, who is the founder and CEO of Carecard, explains: “Take the time to comprehend what your co-pay and insurance costs are, how big your deductible is and which health care and pharmacy providers are in your network.
“If your current plan doesn’t meet your current health care needs, consider adjusting your coverage or finding a new plan. You may have other options that better suit your personal needs.”
From January 2021, Medicare Part D — which is health insurance for Americans 65 and older — will launch its Senior Savings program. This will limit most insulins’ cost to only $35 for a thirty-day supply, without deductibles.
Find generic medications when possible
Doctors and pharmacists usually prescribe medications they know. So, you shouldn’t assume your health care provider will automatically prescribe the most affordable treatment available.
Generics work just as effectively as their brand-name counterparts and often cost around 80 percent less on average, says Hannon.
Ensure you ask your pharmacist if an equally effective and cheaper generic option is available for your prescription.
With Gratitude and Love
Dewvy 
