Medicare Survival
From my blog at Medicare Survival Guide. I hope this might help someone:
Through the Medicare Survival Guide and from the 1-877-GUIDE15, I get to visit with a lot of people. In many cases people are desperate for help. Some people are in very difficult situations and need information. They call with a very specific question. I do the best I can to answer their immediate concern, as does Toni. Here is the advice I give to people who call concerned about their prescription medication.
If you cannot afford to take your prescribed medications talk with your doctor. Ask your doctor if there are less expensive alternatives or generic medications.
With a chronic illness, I have learned to always ask for samples of any new medication before I get the prescription filled. (Many of times my doctor and I have tried a new or different medication only to find that the old one was better for me.)
Price compare pharmacies whether you have a drug plan or not. Remember even those with a prescription drug plan should shop around. We all need the best price for the prescriptions because with Medicare it is what you and your insurance pays that goes towards the donut hole!!
Another cost saving tip that I have personally discovered out of necessity is to break the pill in half. (Please keep in mind that not all medications can be cut like this, and only do this with your doctor’s approval!!) This can be complicated and dangerous.
Let’s pretend 50mg of tablet XYZ sells for $130.00 ($30.00 co-pay), 100mg of the same XYZ sells for $150.00 ($30.00 cop-pay). Ask your doctor to write the prescription for the 100mg tablets. (Make it clear to him that you understand you must cut them in half using a pill cutter.) Here is the catch, make sure he writes it for 1 pill a day, not 1/2 tablet daily. This will basically give you a 60 day supply at a 30 day price. A huge price savings if you are paying cash money, or it keep you from going into the donut hole.
You will also need to pay attention to this at the pharmacy. Kindly decline their offer to do you a favor and give you 50mg tablets.
(If you are reading this for some one else, please understand, that people can become easily confused or forget. A mistake could result in a critical situation.)
There are programs that are sponsored by the pharmaceutical companies visit www.rxassist.org and www.pparx.org
Depending on your income level you may be eligible for “extra help”! Contact your social security office to see if you qualify. Also don’t be hesitant to contact your state office for Medicaid for assistance.
There is help out there, some times it is just a matter of finding it. Some times it is just learning about the way a system works. You can save money and avoid the donut hole.
The Medicare Survival Guide is a helpful resource for understanding your options and choices that will have a profound impact on your health care and financial well-being.
Knowledge is power! Be a well-informed consumer.
Share your money saving tips for prescription medications.
Thanks for reading
! Judy
Through the Medicare Survival Guide and from the 1-877-GUIDE15, I get to visit with a lot of people. In many cases people are desperate for help. Some people are in very difficult situations and need information. They call with a very specific question. I do the best I can to answer their immediate concern, as does Toni. Here is the advice I give to people who call concerned about their prescription medication.
If you cannot afford to take your prescribed medications talk with your doctor. Ask your doctor if there are less expensive alternatives or generic medications.
With a chronic illness, I have learned to always ask for samples of any new medication before I get the prescription filled. (Many of times my doctor and I have tried a new or different medication only to find that the old one was better for me.)
Price compare pharmacies whether you have a drug plan or not. Remember even those with a prescription drug plan should shop around. We all need the best price for the prescriptions because with Medicare it is what you and your insurance pays that goes towards the donut hole!!
Another cost saving tip that I have personally discovered out of necessity is to break the pill in half. (Please keep in mind that not all medications can be cut like this, and only do this with your doctor’s approval!!) This can be complicated and dangerous.
Let’s pretend 50mg of tablet XYZ sells for $130.00 ($30.00 co-pay), 100mg of the same XYZ sells for $150.00 ($30.00 cop-pay). Ask your doctor to write the prescription for the 100mg tablets. (Make it clear to him that you understand you must cut them in half using a pill cutter.) Here is the catch, make sure he writes it for 1 pill a day, not 1/2 tablet daily. This will basically give you a 60 day supply at a 30 day price. A huge price savings if you are paying cash money, or it keep you from going into the donut hole.
You will also need to pay attention to this at the pharmacy. Kindly decline their offer to do you a favor and give you 50mg tablets.
(If you are reading this for some one else, please understand, that people can become easily confused or forget. A mistake could result in a critical situation.)
There are programs that are sponsored by the pharmaceutical companies visit www.rxassist.org and www.pparx.org
Depending on your income level you may be eligible for “extra help”! Contact your social security office to see if you qualify. Also don’t be hesitant to contact your state office for Medicaid for assistance.
There is help out there, some times it is just a matter of finding it. Some times it is just learning about the way a system works. You can save money and avoid the donut hole.
The Medicare Survival Guide is a helpful resource for understanding your options and choices that will have a profound impact on your health care and financial well-being.
Knowledge is power! Be a well-informed consumer.
Share your money saving tips for prescription medications.
Thanks for reading
! Judy
