Saving money on prescription drugs could be as easy as shopping around, doing a little online searching, using your insurance plan and asking your doctor and pharmacist for cost saving opportunities.

Start by learning as much as you can about your prescriptions by talking to your physicians and pharmacists and researching your medications using the FDA Orange Book online at www.fda.gov/cder/ob or DestinationRx at www.drx.com.  Then,

• Shop around – Big chain retail stores and large chain pharmacies are competing for your business. Small and family owned pharmacies are often known for offering the lowest prices. Ask your pharmacist for less expensive alternatives and generic equivalents. Compare prices and ask for discounts including savings for generic drugs, switching pharmacies and senior discounts.
• Search websites for savings – Drug manufacturers and pharmacies often offer coupons or other rebates. The BidRx.com website allows pharmacies to bid on your prescription order.
• Use your insurance plan – Follow your plan’s formulary and visit pharmacies included in your health plan network. Try mail order for savings on long term prescriptions. Contribute to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) which pays for prescriptions and over the counter drugs purchased with a doctor’s prescription.
• Ask the experts – Ask each of your doctors to review all the medications prescribed to you. Talk about whether pills could be split safely; not all pills can or should be split. Ask for a supply of samples especially for a medication prescribed for the first time.

For more information about these and other cost saving opportunities, contact your Starr Group Representative at 414-421-3800.

Web Links:
www.talkaboutrx.org
www.fda.gov/cder/ob
www.drx.com