Learn to Become a Smart Shopper When It Comes to Drug Therapy

Benefit and insurance issues important to you - brought to you by the insurance specialists at: Greene-Hazel & Associates, Inc.

Be a Wise Health Care Consumer: Reduce your prescription drug costs Learn to become a smart shopper when it comes to drug therapy

You can cut costs by up to 90 percent strength pills and having the patient Generic medications. Generic by becoming an informed consumer split them to achieve the desired medications work as well as brand and using the same buying techniques dosage can reduce the cost of some name drugs and can cost 20 to 80 that you use when shopping for other medications as much as 50 percent. percent less. This applies for both goods and services. As more prescriptions and OTC drugs. individuals comparison shop for drugs, However, pill splitting is not safe for all more retailers will compete to win their medications. If a pill is FDA-approved Pharmaceutical company business, which will drive prices lower. for pill splitting, it will say so on the assistance programs/state drug These strategies can help you become label or informational insert that comes assistance. Many drug companies a savvy prescription drug consumer. with the prescription. The FDA and states offer drug assistance recommends pills only be split if FDA- programs for the elderly, low-income Price comparisons. Drug prices are approved and after consulting with and /or people with disabilities. not uniform; you can save a your doctor to ensure it is safe. considerable amount of money by Medicare drug plans. Seniors can shopping around combine smart shopping techniques with the Medicare drug plan. All the Drug substitution. When your doctor Generally, employers information you need is available at prescribes a drug, ask if a cheaper “ who have self-funded www.Medicare.gov. alternative is available. plans will set up special Samples. Drug companies give Bulk buying. As you may know from funds to earmark thousands of samples to doctors every your everyday shopping, it’s cheaper year. Your doctor may be able to to buy in bulk. The same is true for corporate money to pay provide you with weeks’ worth of the drugs. Buying larger quantities at a for employee medical medication at no charge. time generally reduces the per dose cost of drugs. This is especially true for claims. Stay on your meds. If you take generics purchased by mail. medication regularly, don’t skip doses or go off your meds to save money. Mail-Order Pharmacies. Mail-order Sticking to your medication schedule Over-the-counter drugs (OTC). Ask” and Internet pharmacies offer the best will help you avoid health deals on prescription drugs, especially your doctor if an OTC drug will work complications that will cost more for patients with chronic conditions. just as well as a prescription drug. money in the future. Today there are hundreds of OTC Pill-splitting. Many prescription drugs drugs that were previously only Discount prescription cards. Look are available at increased dosages for available by prescription. into a discount card, either through a similar costs as smaller dosages. drugstore chain or a national plan. Prescribing half as many higher- They can provide additional discounts

This article is provided by Greene-Hazel & Associates, Inc.. It is to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of an insurance professional. Visit us at http://www.greenehazel.com. © 2010-2011 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved. on your prescriptions for a small monthly or annual fee.

[b_address] • [b_city], [b_state] • [b_zip] Phone [b_phone] • Fax [b_fax] • Web site http://www.greenehazel.com