How to Save on Your Prescription Medications

Millions of people are struggling to afford healthcare. Prescription drugs are a large component of every family's budget. There are free discount prescription cards in the marketplace which can help you save 10% - 85% on many FDA approved brand-name and generic drugs. These cards can be used at over 58,000 large chain and local independent pharmacies in the USA.

How do these free discount prescription cards work?

Simply present the free card to the pharmacist and s/he will enter the card information into your pharmacy profile. You will then have access to discounted prescription prices. Many of the cards are already preactivated and there are no deductibles or fees or forms to complete. Everyone qualifies! One card will generally cover your entire household and no personal information or Social Security Number is required. Many networks also offer free Spanish cards are some free discount prescription card websites will translate into all the major languages.

Where do you get these free cards?

Look around the internet and you will find many companies who provide these cards. Many times you can print a free (paper) card from the website which you can take to your pharmacy and have entered into your pharmacy profile. Also, you can send free (paper) cards to your friends, family and coworkers anywhere in the USA. You can also get a physical card(s) by calling the company or sending an email requesting cards. Usually you get obtain multiple cards for groups, associations and government organizations at no cost.

Individuals who need these cards:

1. Those with no insurance
2. Those who may have insurance but have limitations like high deductibles, non-covered drugs, high co-payments or caps on their benefits
3. Seniors who fall into the "donut hole" of their Medicare Part D
4. New employees who are in their waiting period for healthcare coverage
5. Employees who cannot afford COBRA payments when they lose their job
6. Employees who cannot afford to cover dependents
7. Employees who have lost their health coverage at work

If you have existing insurance, you can also have a free discount prescription card in your pharmacy record. The pharmacy will automatically dispense your medications at the lowest cost, the lower of your insurance or the discount prescription card. Sometimes, the free card will be lower than your co-pay!

Many free discount card networks also have robust websites which will allow you to price your medications by providing the medication name, dosage, number of pills and your zip code. This way, you can "pre price" your medications before you go to a pharmacy, by checking the discounted pharmacy prices in your area.

A few tips when using these free discount prescription cards/websites:

1. Do not use a free card or website that requires you to provide personal information (your name, phone, street address, etc). A good discount pharmacy card, will not require personal information - these free cards should not track back to you for privacy reasons). Their websites should only require you to provide your zip code to pull up the pharmacies in your area when you are pricing your medications.

2. Do not pay for these cards. They are free, always free.

3. Always try to price your medications on their website, so you know who has the best discounted price.

4. Watch for significant price differences on generic medications. Some pharmacies can be significantly higher on generic drugs. You will see this when you do your online pricing. Brand names are will generally only vary a few dollars between pharmacies.

5. You cannot use both your insurance and the free discount card. It will be one of the other, whichever is the lowest cost.

There are many people using these cards, take advantage of this free opportunity!

Happy Savings!
Barb Bender