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
- 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
Find out more about prescription drugs.
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