It is difficult to cut your healthcare expenses without cutting your quality of healthcare, but not impossible.
One simple way to do this is by saving on your perscription drugs.
Below you will find four simple ways to cut your prescriptions costs without putting your health at risk: 1.
Talk to your doctor.
Be upfront with your financial situation.
Most physicians got into medicine because they like helping people.
If the physician is aware of your financial situation, he may be able to prescribe a medication that is more economical for you.
2.
Ask for the Generic Drugs.
Ask your doctor if there is a generic equivalent or an over-the-counter medication that may meet your needs.
Keep in mind that when a patent on a brand name drug expires, other pharmaceutical companies can make the drug, which creates competition and drives the prices down.
These drugs are required to have the same active ingredient as the brand name; however, they are not required to have the same inactive ingredients.
3.
Check you health insurance plan.
Check to be sure you plan covers pharmaceuticals, the co-payments, and if their is a maximum amount the plan will pay per year for pharmaceuticals.
Also, be sure you investigate what drugs are covered as well as the drugstores that accept this plan.
If you need a prescription that is not covered, your physician may be able to request an exception by filling out a form.
Unfortunetly, some HMOs may have you go through an appeal process.
4.
Compare drug stores.
Shop around for a pharmacy that offers the best price for your needs.
You may be surprise to find your prescriptions prices vary from one pharmacy to another.
Call a few pharmacies (wholesale and retail) ahead of time and ask them if they have the prescriptions available, compare the prices with and without your insurance, and check online.
And do not let that "lack of membership card" from wholesale places stop you, because in some states, you do not need it to use the pharmacy! You might be surprised to find a drug store running a special promotion on a popular drug.
Simple cost saving tips like these and more can be located in "Healthcare for Less," which is available at all major bookstores and online at http://www.
amazon.
com.