Ways to Maximize Your Savings on OTC and Prescription Drugs With or Without Insurance

Medicare Plan D is a federal prescription plan for seniors citizens age 65 and over with cost sharing requirements. The yearly rate depends on how early the patient enrolls and the deductible is $250 for basic benefits and must be met before the plan will pay 75% of the cost of the drugs being covered under the plans. This means the patients pays 25% in co-pays and the plan pays 75% until he/she reaches a total of $2250 for overall cost of prescription drugs. Be aware of the do-nut hole or gap required of you to pay full price for your medicines after the total limit $2250 is reached until you pay up to an estimate of $5000 otherwise the insurance will not kicked back in until this amount is met. Please be sure to check with your states regarding any changes in patient-insurance cost sharing percentage which may have slightly change since the year 2006. Below is a compilation of ways to maximize your saving for people with any prescription insurance like Medicare plan D for seniors or those without drug coverage plan can also take advantage of some of the suggestions mentioned.

Tips on how to save money on drugs with or without insurance

Based on the 2006 Medicare plan D guidelines on cost sharing, deductible and overall plan total amount these are some of the ways to save money on your prescription drugs:

1.) Enroll as early as possible and check the drug tiers or formulary the plan pays for to be sure your necessary medications are covered (Example: tier 1- preferred generic, tier 2- preferred brand, tier 3- non-covered brand). Consider checking out Costco's Med- D Envision Rx Plan.

2.) Use your prescription plan wisely by not reaching your total limit too soon before your next enrollment or else you will have to pay full price on covered medications

3.) Reached your deductible wisely by paying for non-controlled drugs out of pocket instead of using your insurance for generic drugs like HCTZ ( water pills or Lasix) and linsopril (hypertensive drugs trade name Prinivil, Hipril, Zestril, etc.). You could get better deals for more pills by checking with your local pharmacist for a pro-rated price for having your prescription filled for all allowable dispensing amount depending on what the doctor wrote it for plus all refills.

4.) Request the doctor for higher dispensing quantities at a time on prescription for drugs mentioned earlier and call varies pharmacy to see who gives the best deal. At Costco, 30 tablets of HCTZ is $5 depending on your copay and could go as low as $5 for 100 pills at Costco pharmacy at pro-rated price depending on the generic being dispensed. Be sure to asked the pharmacist and pharmacy technicians for help on what medications can be pro-rated for high quantities.

5.) If non-preferred brand name drug is desired at whatever costs always be sure to check the drug makers' website for promotional discounts or just type in the name of the drug and the word coupons. There will always be some kind of coupons for prescription or over-the-counter drugs. Do keep in mind that coupons are not to be used with insurance plan.

6.) Walmart has a $4 Prescription Program. Make sure to check the drug listings on the link below on what's covered and the price differences for a 30 day versus a 90 day supply

7.) Stay educated about over-the-counter drugs that can help alleviate your illness versus spending big bucks on medications with the similar therapeutic affects if you're short on cash for the moment. From previous experience, most patients that couldn't afford to pay for prescription antiacid drugs such as Aciphex and Nexium had consider alternatives like Prevacid, Protonix and Prilosec OTC by doubling up on the dose of OTC of choice depending on what the prescription was written for like 40mg of Aciphex requires you to double up on Prilosec OTC up to 40mg. However, be aware of the different pharmacology of the drug of choice because Prilosec does not aide the healing of the stomache lining overtime when compared with Aciphex, Prevacid and Protonix. Aciphex and Protonix are indicated for short term usage so be sure to consult your doctor and pharmacist for more information.

Health insurance remains a big issue in this country and drug prices only climbs upward as the economy goes downhill. Being a Certified Pharmacy Technician of 5 years with 3 years of experiences in retail pharmacy, I have learned so much working along side some of the best Pharmacists in the nation. Above tips are compilations of my experiences on how to maximized the patients' savings on over-the-counter and prescription drugs. I like to informed everyone that Costco probably the best place for prescription drugs and you do not have to be member to use the pharmacy. A reminder about coupons, Costco offers its own store coupons for OTC and does not accept manufacturers' coupons. However, like every other pharmacy it does accept the drug makers promotional drug discount card that contains a bin and group number just like an insurance card. Make sure it is handed in along with you script and not after it is being filled because it will be billed like your typical insurance cards.

To enter as non-member just let the door person knows you're there to use the pharmacy and be sure to bring plenty of cash for your drug because only members' AMEX, debit cards and checks are accepted. If you know how to read the drug script, a rule of thumb is to call in to your nearest Costco to request prescription pricing prior to getting your script filled and be prompt to provide its staff with medication name, direction to be taken, and amount to be dispensed.

Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions are solely informative ideas and not intended for the purpose of promoting any particular businesses and as always consult with your health professional for more information on drug therapy and possible savings they may have available.

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