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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – According to one study, brand name drugs rose by 128 percent during 2008 through 2014. Looking at the numbers that each state spends on drugs is a heady experience. No wonder Americans feel the pain of increased prices. 76 percent of Americans who say drug prices are too high blame corporate greed for these hikes.Others blame corruption.
Add to this, there have been recent debates about who should pay. Individuals? Or insurance plans? For example, say a doctor prescribed a recently developed drug to an individual. A drug where there is no low-cost alternative. Those taking the survey felt that in such scenarios their insurance plan should cover these expenses. Even if it means higher premiums as a result.
Whatever the excuses and the causes for high drug costs, there are still ways to save yourself from the pain of prescription drug spending.
Popular Ways to Cut Down on Your Prescription Bill
1. Ask and you just might receive.
Maybe. But this one is worth trying out. Ask your current plan to cover the cost of a drug that your doctor says is necessary, even it is not on their list of covered drugs. If you are in Medicare Part D, contact your insurer and have them send you the exception form, which you can bring to your doctor to have him or her fill out. If they say no the first time, you are free to try again. Persistence pays.
2. Switch and match. But be smart.
This one most people know to try, but it is worth mentioning here for those who have not. Your doctor may be familiar with generic drugs that provide the same benefits as the pricier drug. Ask about that. It might take swallowing your pride. Will it make you sound needy? Just remember that a huge percentage of the US feels that prescription drug costs are too high and are in the same boat as you. Medicine should be affordable. Chant that to yourself as you approach your doctor about more affordable alternatives.
3. Mail is still good for something.
Did you know that having your prescription meds mailed to you will cut the cost of your medication? You could be saving as much as 30 percent on branded drugs when you have it shipped. How do you do that? After your doctor has filled out one 30 day prescription, ask him to fill out one that you can use for mail order purposes.
4. Change plans.
If you have tried all the options above, and yet you are still feeling the pinch, it could be that you have not signed up to the right plan. If you are about to turn 65, you can choose a new Medicare plan a few months before and a few months after your birthday month. If you are still working, then during fall is when you get to try out something new.
The first thing you want to look at when deciding on a better fit is taking a look at the drugs covered by the new insurance plan. This is why you are considering this move, so be sure to read their formulary list in detail. Are the medications you need listed? Find out how much you pay for them on your current plan and compare that to the new plan you are considering.
5. Coupons give discounts, but beware of online scams.
There are discounts available from pharmaceuticals. You have likely seen flyers advertising drugstore sales or bulk sales. Check them out. But do so with a wary eye. If you are looking for deals online, make sure it has a “.pharmacy” domain name. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy shows their sanction of an online drugstore through that domain extension.
Local governments are pushing legislation to regulate the price of medication across the US. And there has been an effort to force drug companies to institute greater transparency in their drug pricing. In the meantime, while you wait, there are things that you can do on a personal level to fight back against rising drug costs. Why not try them out?
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