Drugs Aren’t Cheap – Unless…
“Fifteen hundred dollars?” my elderly patient nearly screamed at the pharmacist. His antibiotics for his infection would be $1,500. My patient remembered the GoodRx app and asked the pharmacist to apply his GoodRx discount to get affordable drugs.
“Three hundred and fifty dollars,” the pharmacist declared passively as my patient’s jaw dropped.
My Approach as A Physician
My goal as a physician is to help people maintain their health in a way that requires as few prescriptions as possible. When medications are necessary, I cross my fingers as I send in prescriptions to pharmacies. If insurance doesn’t cover your meds, what are your options? Prescription costs can seem unaffordable at times.
GoodRx is an app on your phone or a discount card available in physician’s offices to help discount medications. Enter a prescription med into the app to find out how much it will cost at your pharmacy and at nearby pharmacies as well. GoodRx will show you a discount at your pharmacy if your pharmacy participates and will also compare prices in your area, giving you a chance to save even more.
What if I can’t get a discount on GoodRx? Check out Wal-Mart’s $4 list here. Wal-Mart discounts medications for blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, mental health, thyroid, and others. If you choose to use Wal-Mart’s pharmacy and your blood pressure medication is expensive, talk to your provider about possibly switching to one of their less expensive antihypertensives.
There’s Even More Out There
You’ve checked out GoodRx and Wal-Mart and aren’t having luck. What next? Check out Cost Plus Drugs online. Mark Cuban from Shark Tank fame started this discount pharmacy. Some medications such as mesalamine for bowel inflammation are deeply discounted by hundreds of dollars a month.
GoodRx, Wal-Mart, and Cost Plus are three great options, but what else is out there? Ask your provider if there are non-pharmaceutical options for the medications that you’re taking. You might be able to take N-acetyl cysteine for type 2 diabetes or CoQ10 for high blood pressure.
My goal is to help keep my patients off medications. When I can’t do that, my goal becomes helping to keep medications affordable. There are new options popping up every day for treatment options. Talk to your provider to make sure you’re maximizing your healthcare dollars.
Let Us Help
Are your medications too expensive? Are you taking some medications that you’d rather trade in for supplements if possible? Let’s investigate possible solutions for your best care and for your wallet. Call Fernan Family Practice now at (814) 772-0722.