How to Shop Around to Save Money on Prescriptions

Do you want to save money on prescriptions? Want to learn how to find the best prices when buying medicine?

Prescription medication can be costly, and if you don’t know how to shop around, you may be paying more than you have to. Fortunately, once you learn a few simple tips and tricks you’ll be able to consistently save money when buying medication.

Here are a few tips you can use to shop around and save money on your prescriptions.

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   Check For Price Differences

One of the best things you can do to save money on prescriptions is to simply check the prices at different pharmacies in your area. You can easily do this online or with a comparison pricing smartphone app.

Even the major chain pharmacies often have different prices on the same prescription. It can be surprising what price differences there are, so by doing a little bit of digging before choosing which pharmacy you’ll use, you’ll often be able to save a good bit of money on your medications.

2. Shop At an Online Pharmacy

Another great option for spending less on prescriptions is to try buying from online pharmacies instead of retail stores. There are many legitimate online pharmacies that you can buy from, and if you decide to do so, then you can save a lot of money on your prescription medications.

However, you’ll want to check any online pharmacy you’re thinking about buying from carefully to avoid scams and make sure that it’s legitimate. You should check to see if it’s certified by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). You’ll also want to see if the pharmacy has a U.S. address and whether they require a real prescription to buy your medication or not.

3. Buy Medications in Bulk

One of the best ways to save money when buying medication is to start buying medicine in bulk.

If there are any medicines that you take on an ongoing basis to treat chronic conditions that you have, then buying more of it at a time can make a lot of sense. Fortunately, medications are also cheaper if you buy a lot of them at once.

You might want to look into getting a 3-month supply of whatever medication you need. While some insurers won’t allow you to get too much of your prescription at once, if it’s an option for you, then buying in bulk can be a much more affordable way to go.

4. Buy Generic Medications

If you want to get the best prices on your medications, then it’s well worth considering getting generic options instead of more costly prescriptions. You should always compare drug prices whenever possible.

Many doctors will automatically prescribe a more familiar option to you, rather than opting for a generic alternative. However, generic medications can be comparable in effectiveness to the more expensive versions.

Be sure that you speak with your doctor and ask if there are generic options for any medications that you need. If there are, you may be able to save 75% or more on the cost of your prescriptions. This can be pretty significant and can help you save a lot of money, especially if there are any medications you take for chronic conditions on an ongoing basis.

5. Use Coupons and Special Offers

Another thing you can do to get lower prices on prescription medications is to make sure you’re taking advantage of any coupons or special offers that you can find.

If you can get access to any coupons or discount cards to use, it can help you cut down on prices by quite a bit. You may also want to look into joining a savings club membership at a pharmacy, as this can also help you save a lot of money over time.

Be sure to keep your eyes open and talk with your doctor to find out about any coupons or special discounts you might be able to get from them.

6. Opt For Cash Prices

One of the best things you can do to save money on your prescription medications is to start paying cash prices instead of co-pays.

When you’re paying out-of-pocket, you’ll usually find that the price of your medications is lower than what the health insurance co-pay would be. It’s a good idea to speak to a pharmacist that you have a relationship with to find out what the price would be when paying cash compared to when using insurance.

In many cases, the price will be quite a bit different and you’ll pay a lot less money for each prescription by opting to pay with cash instead.

7. Try Local Pharmacies

One of the ways that you can save money on prescriptions and medications is by opting to shop at local independent pharmacies rather than the major chain pharmacies that are in your area. Smaller pharmacies often offer more reasonable prices for prescriptions than the major chain stores will.

By making the decision to frequent your local pharmacies instead, you may be able to cut down on costs. On top of that, by shipping at local businesses, you’ll also be making a bigger positive impact on your local community as well.

Using These Tips to Save Money On Medications

If you want to save money on medications, you need to start shopping around before making a purchase. Be sure to use the tips and tricks above if you want to spend as little as possible on important prescriptions.

Need more tips for saving money? Read through our blog now to find more helpful insights.