Prescription Drug Costs

Drug costs vary —compare prices from different pharmacies.

People take many more prescription drugs than they did a few decades ago. After hospital and doctor care, drugs are the main health care expense.

Topics on this page

• Save money on prescription drugs
• If you don't have prescription drug coverage
• Buy prescription drug coverage

Save money on prescription drugs

• Ask for generic drugs.
• Ask about free samples.
• Ask about discounts for people with low incomes.
• Compare costs from different pharmacies in your plan.
• Ask your doctor if you could get a pill that is twice your dose and cut it in half, to save money.
• When your doctor gives you a prescription, ask what it will cost you.
• Ask your plan about ordering prescriptions by mail. They usually cost less, and you can order for three months at a time.
• Ask if any over-the-counter drugs are available through your plan.
• Ask about home delivery services.

If you don't have prescription drug coverage

• Compare costs to find the least expensive place to buy drugs. (Remember, you'll still need a prescription from your doctor.)
• Check out discount, mail order, and online pharmacies.
• Compare costs at Pharmacy Checker  .
• Watch out for e-mails that try to sell you cheap drugs. Do not trust the quality of the drugs they sell.

Buy prescription drug coverage

• Ask your plan how much it would cost to add prescription drug coverage.
• If you are starting Medicare, try to buy Medicare prescription drug coverage   now.

Find out more about prescription drugs.

Back to the Top