The Albuquerque Journal ran a helpful article recently on how to get the best price on your prescriptions. Here are the opening paragraphs:
Filling a prescription is no longer the simple errand you run after a doctor visit.
With drug prices rising and insurance coverage shrinking, it pays to ask questions and do a little research before handing over your insurance card at the pharmacy counter. Having coverage offers no guarantee that you’re getting the best price for your medicine.
Before you fill your next prescription, consider these steps to help find the best possible price.
TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR
Start a habit of asking your doctor about prices whenever you get a new prescription.
If you have insurance, bring information about your formulary, or list of covered drugs, to your visit. Your doctor deals with many different insurers and may not know the costs tied to your coverage. The list can tell your doctor how your treatment or any alternatives might be covered, said AARP drug pricing expert Leigh Purvis.
DO SOME RESEARCH
Approach prescription buying like car shopping. You don’t want to do it without some idea of the prices in your market.
Websites like GoodRx and WeRx can show how drug prices without insurance will vary by store. Knowing what’s in the market helps you tell quickly if your favorite drugstore is pricey.
“When we talk about the price of a drug, it’s sort of an arbitrary estimate instead of a hard-and-fast rule,” said Caitlin Morris of the advocacy group Families USA.
When comparing costs online, note that some websites may show the cash price without insurance while others only show the cost if you use one of their coupons.
