Content Overview 
- Overview
- Free Samples From A Doctor Or Other Health Care Provider
- Bulk Purchases Of Drugs You Take For An Extended Period Of Time
- Drug Expiration Dates
- Test Supplies
- How To Shop For The Lowest Drug Price
- Generic (or Sister) Versions Of A Drug
- Lifestyle or Therapeutic Substitutions
- Older Alternatives For A Drug Or Over-The Counter Versions
- Government Programs That Provide Drugs
- Patient Assistance Programs (Manufacturer Free Or Low Cost Drugs)
- Pill Splitting
- Pharmacy Discount Programs
- State Or County Purchasing Groups To Help Residents Save Money
- Drug Discount Cards and Clubs
- Online and Mail Order Sources Of Drugs
- Local Pharmacies Including Hospitals
- Military Benefits
- Clinical Trials
- Outside Of The United States
Drugs: How To Save Money When Buying Or Using
Drug Discount Cards and Clubs
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Discount cards and Discount Clubs may offer below-market prices on prescription drugs and other medical services.In some cases, it is less expensive to pay a discounted price than to pay through a health insurance policy.
Discount Cards
Discount cards may be offered by pharmaceutical companies. For instance, Pfizer has a Pfizer for Living Share Card. See: pfizersharecard.com
Discount Clubs
Discount Clubs operate like any other discount buyer's clubs, such as clubs for groceries or other household items. They generally require membership which is open to anyone who pays a small annual fee. Many, such as BlinkHealth and GoodRX are free. As a member you would have access to drugs as well as other services and products at discount rates through specified providers.
Some of the larger discount groups are:
- www.blinkhealth.com
Has customer care representatives and apps for smart phones. Tel. 844.366.2211.
- www.goodRX.com
Includes price comparisons at various pharmacies and free coupons.
- www.rxsavingsplus.com
For people who are not receiving insurance reimbursement, including Medicare. Ordering a 90 day supply by mail can save up to 50%.
- www.medadvantage.com
For everyone. Low monthly fee.
- www.outreach.com
Designed for people with a low income.
- www.togetherrxaccess.com
Created by a consortium of drug manufacturing companies. Tel.: 800.444.4106.
NOTES
- Check your health insurance pjlicy. You may not get credit against a deductible for amounts spent for drugs outside your plan:
- Medicare rules require that consumers always get the lower price of their set co-payment and a pharmacy's cash price.
Before joining a discount club:
- Make certain that the medications and dosage you take are among the medications and dosage that the club offers at a discount
- Ask what the discount for your prescriptions will be.
- Find out about restrictions. For example, some programs are only offered to people without insurance or for medications that are not covered by insurance.
- What is the enrollment fee, if any?
- Make an alert to check the list of drugs offered every few months to be sure your medication is still available, and for new medications that are offered.
Other
There is at least one web site that gives free discount coupons (in addition to helping you compare prices at local phamarcies.) The site is GoodRx.
NOTE:
- You can purchase discount drugs at Costco and Sam's Club without being a member.
- Also see: Pharmacy Discount Programs