Are you worried about managing prescription drug costs? Here are some resources that may be able to help. Many of these tips can help lower your costs, whether you have health insurance through The Arc WC or another source – or even have no insurance at all. Those marked with an asterisk * are specific to medical/Rx coverage through The Arc WC.
- Talk with your healthcare provider. Share your cost concerns with your health care provider and ask if you are able to take a generic medication or if there is a less costly medication that is effective. Or find out if a lifestyle change may be able to produce the desired outcome (i.e., manage high cholesterol with dietary changes). Your healthcare provider may also be able to provide a free sample.
- Visit the RxBenefits/Caremark member website or call Member Services*. Find out what Caremark covers and what local pharmacies charge for your medication. The formulary is Standard with ACSF. Certain medications for preventive and chronic needs may be available for the cost of the copayment only; the deductible is waived for these medications.
- For maintenance medications, use Caremark or a CVS retail pharmacy*. Receive a 90-day supply of your medications and enjoy two ways to save with Caremark Mail Service pharmacy or at a CVS pharmacy near you.
- 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 U.S. pharmacies, finding free coupons to use at the pharmacy, and showing the lowest price at each pharmacy near you at no cost to you.
- Ask the pharmacist. Ask what your medication would cost with and without insurance to see if it qualifies for a reduced rate such as the “$4 Plan” or the “$10 Plan” offered by some pharmacies. Also ask if the price is the lowest available. 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. You can find Walmart’s $4 list here.
- Find assistance at RxAssist.org. RxAssist provides 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 (FQHCs) have pharmacies that can offer discounts on medication. These centers also offer services on a sliding fee scale based on income. In our area, you can find the following Community Health Centers with pharmacy programs: 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).
- Call the Medication Assistance Center (MAC) offered by Meritus Health for patients who are uninsured or underinsured access free or reduced-cost prescription medications. This includes Medicare or Medicaid patients who have difficulty obtaining medications. For more information on how MAC can help you with medication costs please contact their office at 301-393-3441.
- Ask your Health Advocate*. Free and confidential assistance is available 24/7 from the Health Advocate service provided by our insurance broker. An advocate can help with questions about your benefits, claims, pharmacy issues and more. Call 866-695-8622, email answers@HealthAdvocate.com or visit healthadvocate.com/members.
- Visit the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company at costplusdrugs.com a new online pharmacy that offers hundreds of common medications at the lowest possible prices. You will not believe how low their prices are!
- Pay with pre-tax dollars. Although it won’t affect the price of your medication, it will result in a savings for you when you pay with your HSA or FSA dollars. For your convenience, HSA and FSA plans both come with a debit card that you can use at the pharmacy.