MY FRIEND RECENTLY EXPERIENCED some serious heart problems. He reluctantly visited a doctor who prescribed a few medications and told him to follow up with an office visit in a few weeks. He went home and, after a few weeks, returned to the doctor for his visit.
His healing progress was a little slow; the doctor asked if he was following his medication regime, and he told the doctor, “kinda.” The doctor asked what he meant, and it turned out that instead of taking his heart medication every day as directed, he was taking it every other day. His insurance did not cover the expensive medication, and he felt that he could stretch the prescription until he turned 65 and Medicare would cover it.
Millions of Americans cannot afford their prescriptions for a variety of reasons. For some patients, the problem might be that their insurance has high deductibles, prescription copays, or even limits on which drug is covered in their plan. There might be a sudden gap in coverage that may come with a job change. Other patients may have been vigilant in choosing an affordable insurance policy that covered the medicines they need, only to find that coverage was changed or eliminated. Others just might not have the funds to pay for their prescriptions.
Talk to your doctor or healthcare professional
A good way to start taking control of expensive prescriptions is to first talk to your healthcare professional. He or she can be an excellent resource and may help you find a way to get more affordable medications. Pharmacists can recommend organizations you can join that offer savings for your specific medications, and give suggestions and advice on which might be best for your needs.
Drug samples and generic drugs
Ask your doctor if he or she has any drug samples to give you. Although this is not sustainable for a long period of time, a few samples might be enough to hold you over until a real solution is found. Many doctors’ offices have a closet full of samples.
It is likely that your doctor will prescribe you a generic medication to begin with. If not, your pharmacist may suggest it. If for some reason neither offers the generic version, don’t be afraid to ask about it.
If a generic alternative is not available, you can contact the company that makes the drug directly. They generally don’t broadly advertise them, but many companies have drug-assistance programs available. You may have to investigate a little. You will need to locate the name of the company that manufactures the drug, then locate their website or phone number. More often than not, you can find their prescription-assistance program right on their website. Lately, drug commercials on television have been offering a number or website where those who need cost adjustments can make a plan for a reduced cost.
Contact national organizations for assistance
Some national organizations offer information and guidelines on how to manage medication costs. Reputable organizations can steer you in the right way. The American Heart Association, The American Cancer Society, The National MS Society, and others can offer excellent advice on what you can do to make your meds more affordable. You can do a little research and find out which plan is the best fit for you. These organizations or your doctor might advise you on a prescription assistance program that works well for many patients.
There are many prescription-assistance programs out there. Some states offer their own programs to help cover the cost of prescription drugs. A great program to reference is FreeDrugCard.us, which will allow you to print a free prescription discount card right from their website. You can take this card into the pharmacy to receive discounts at point of sale.
Another option is to apply for Medicaid. Medicaid is described as “a jointly-funded, federal-state health insurance program for certain low-income and needy people.” Acceptance into the Medicaid program is not based on income alone and varies by state. You will want to contact the agency in your state to help you determine whether you qualify and if your prescription medications will be covered.
The best resource in making your prescriptions more affordable is another person. They know many assistance programs and can guide you to one that suits you. Some even help you fill out applications. Ask some questions. Getting your proper medications is important.
Sister Karen Zielinski is the Director of Canticle Studio. Canticle Studio is a part of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH’s overall advancement effort and has a mission of being a creative center where artists generate works, products, and services in harmony with the mission of the Sisters St. Francis. She can be reached at kzielins@sistersosf.org or 419-824-3543.
