If the cost of your family's prescription medications has been rising and they are really starting to pinch your monthly budget, then you can save a lot of money with these time-tested frugal tips:
Frugal Tip: Ask Your Physician About Generic or Cheaper Alternative Medications
Since physicians write scripts all day long for patients with a wide variety of different financial situations, they often don't think about your drug costs when they are prescribing something for you. Since your cost is a concern, you should always ask your physician if there are generic medications or cheaper alternatives that will work for your unique medical needs. Simply asking your physician to think about the costs of the medications they prescribe for your family members will save you a lot of money over the course of a year.
Frugal Tip: Ask Your Doctor About Splitting Pills in Half
If you take an expensive prescription medication that is manufactured in a variety of different strengths, you can sometimes save about half of the cost by buying a prescription that is twice the strength and cutting each tablet in half. When your doctor prescribes something new for you, ask if this is an option.
Frugal Tip: Consider Having Your Family's Prescriptions Delivered from a Mail-Order Pharmacy
Since going to the local pharmacy can be a serious time commitment and requires you to shop around for the best drug prices, you should consider having your family's prescriptions delivered directly to your home from a mail-order pharmacy. Mail-order pharmacies, such as On Time Delivery, often offer you the same prescription medications for a lower cost than a local retail pharmacy. The lower cost comes from the fact that mail-order pharmacies have lower overhead costs than retail pharmacies. They pass along their cost savings to their customers. Using a mail-order pharmacy allows you to get your prescriptions cheaper and without the hassle of driving to a local pharmacy and standing in line.
Frugal Tip: Change Your Family's Health Insurance During Open Enrollment
Finally, when open enrollment comes around this year at your job, take the time to compare the prescription drug formulas and costs between all of the plans your employer offers. Look up the cost of each monthly medication you purchase and determine which coverage offers you the cheapest prescription drug costs. Combine the drug and other costs of each plan to determine which one will save you the most money over the course of the next year. While switching insurance providers can be a bit of a hassle, it can save you a lot of money.
