Worried about managing prescription drug costs? Here are some resources that may be able to help.
- Talk with your health care provider: Share your cost concerns with your health care provider. Are you able to take a generic medication? Is there a less costly medication that’s effective? Will a lifestyle change be able to produce the desired outcome? (Some people can manage high cholesterol with dietary changes, while others can adopt the most restrictive diet without seeing cholesterol numbers budge.) Your healthcare provider may be able to provide a free sample.
- Visit Aetna.com or call member services – You’ll find out what Aetna covers and what local pharmacies charge for your medication. In 2018, we will have the Value Plus pharmacy plan.
- Use price comparison sites: Visit price comparison sites such as GoodRx.com. GoodRx finds the lowest prices and discounts by collecting and comparing prices for every FDA-approved prescription drug at more than 70,000 US pharmacies, finding free coupons to use at the pharmacy, and showing the lowest price at each pharmacy near you. This is a free service.
- Ask the pharmacy: “What would this cost without insurance?” – Check with your local pharmacy and ask what the medication would cost WITH insurance and WITHOUT insurance. Your medication may qualify for a reduced rate such as the “$4 plan” or the “$10 plan” offered by some pharmacies.
- Ask the pharmacy: “Is this your lowest price?” – According to Consumer Reports, some pharmacies “have contracts for Medicare Part D plans that prohibit pharmacists from offering a better cash price to a customer unless a customer asks.” (Find more tips on Rx cost-savings at Consumer Reports. Note: some articles require a subscription.)
- Find assistance at RxAssist.org – RxAssist is an online comprehensive directory of Patient Assistance Programs. Find information about free and low-cost medicine programs and other ways to manage your medication costs.
- Check with your local Community Health Center. Some Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) have pharmacies that are able to offer discounts on medication. These centers also offer services on a sliding fee scale for patients based on income. In Washington County, there’s Family Healthcare of Hagerstown (301-745-3777) and Tri-State Community Health Center in Hancock (301-678-5187). In Chambersburg, there’s Keystone Health (717-709-7977). And in Martinsburg, there’s Shenandoah Community Health Center (304-263-4999).
- Ask your advocate – Free and confidential assistance is available from the Benefit Advocate Center provided by our insurance broker. An advocate can help with questions about your benefits, claims, pharmacy issues and more. Available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. Call 800-394-6111 or email bac.thearcofwashingtoncounty@ajg.com.