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Prescriptions: Free Savings Cards

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Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

After a week of quick tips, I will return to the fifth category within my insurance filing system.

In part 1, I shared which documents I keep in my file regarding our paid prescription coverage.

In concluding this file opening, I will share some documents to keep in this file, including free savings cards.

If your family does not carry prescription coverage, you can still save at the pharmacy without paying full price. Yeah!

You have many options for saving including free samples, no-cost programs, $4 generic prescriptions, manufacturer saving cards, and free savings cards.

Free Samples

When visiting the doctor’s office and needing a prescription, I ask for samples. One time, I received a 3-month supply of a prenatal vitamin which saved our family over $150.

I have also received samples of allergy nose sprays and fish oil supplements. Many doctor’s offices keep a supply of samples, and they willingly share them.

No-cost Programs

The free medication program offered through Publix has saved my family lots of money. I have used the free antibiotics many times with a 100% rate of success.

During seasons of illness, you may get your needed antibiotics for free through Publix’s free medication program. I always ask our physician if he or she can prescribe an antibiotic that is free through Publix, and my requests are usually granted.

$4 Generic Prescriptions

Companies like Wal-Mart and Target offer certain generic medications at a cost of $4 for a 30-day supply or $10 for a 90-day supply. These programs can significantly stretch your dollars.

Manufacturer Savings Cards

Some manufacturers offer savings cards. I received a manufacturer’s card from my OB for prenatal vitamins. By using the card, I received the first fill and 2 refills at no cost. Combining these savings with the samples from the doctor’s office, and I received a 1-year supply for the cost of a 6-month supply. Love the 50% savings!

If your doctor’s office knows of no manufacturer discount, then check the web site of the prescription manufacturer. I have called manufacturers asking if they have a discount program. The worst they can say is, “Not at this time,” but they could also send you savings. You never know until you ask.

Free Savings Cards

These free savings cards, recommended for individuals without prescription coverage, offer deep discounts.

TRACY’S TIP: Per our CVS pharmacist, if you have prescription insurance and use a savings card, then the prescription insurance will refuse to pay.

Since I get a huge discount from our insurance company, I do not use these free savings cards.

Just checking the discount price flags the medication, so be careful and ask your pharmacist if using a free savings card will hinder using your prescription insurance.

My favorite free savings cards:

TRACY’S TIP:  If none of these options offer a discount on your prescription, then try checking the price at Costco. You do not need to have a membership to use the pharmacy.

Just let the front employee know you are going to the pharmacy, and you will get your own escort. If you don’t have a membership, you will need to pay with cash.

I know this might be a hassle, but Costco‘s prescription costs are lower than other pharmacies. Just check your prescription on-line before visiting the store.

With these prescription savings options, keep a copy of your cards or bookmark these links for easy access when you need them. I keep mine in this seventh file opening of Box 2 of our important documents.

Though you may not use all these savings, knowing your options can help in making decisions to save you money, energy, and time. Happy savings!

Question: What other prescription savings can you add to this list?

Prescriptions: Paid Prescription Coverage

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In updating the Quizzle information last week, Bill from Quizzle left a great comment about Quizzle’s free credit report and score. Thanks, Bill!

My goal is to impart accurate information. If I find errors or changes to posts I have written, I will write an update to that post. Thanks for the mini break.

Back to our filing system, we will move on to the fifth category: prescriptions. This short 2-part series will explain the documents housed in this single file opening.

Prescriptions

  • Paid Prescription Coverage
  • Free Savings Cards

Summary Page

The first document in my seventh file opening is our summary page. The basic information is the same with the benefit administrator’s contact information, policy numbers, and provider numbers included. In case our insurance cards are lost or stolen, I can quickly contact the administrators to report the incident.

Paid Prescription Coverage

Knowing how fortunate we are to have affordable prescription coverage, we keep the following documents in this file:

1. Drug Plan Booklet. This pamphlet explains our benefits from using direct mail over retail pharmacies to prior authorization guidelines.

2. Correspondence. Our provider issues an updated preferred drug list each year which I keep for reference.

3. Prescription Member Guide. This booklet lists name brand drugs and parallels their generic counterpart. This guide is helpful for doctors to see what our insurance deems an acceptable generic substitute for the name brand version.

4. List of In-Network Pharmacies. When choosing a pharmacy, I use an in-network provider. Though I can use whichever pharmacy I choose with our PPO (Preferred Provider Organization), I will pay less out-of-pocket if I use an in-network provider. This list is helpful if I need a prescription and my usual pharmacies are out of stock.

This file is small because I only keep the most recent documents tucked inside. When I get the new member guide, I toss last year’s version. In keeping only the documents I need, this file remains compact.

NOTE: I know some of you do not have prescription drug coverage due to the cost to carry this benefit. If this is your situation, then hang on. Next week, I will share some free savings cards that you can use at pharmacies across the United States to lower your out-of-pocket expenses. Just because you cannot afford prescription coverage does not mean you need to pay full price. 🙂

As you file your insurance documentation, adjust your categories to meet your needs. In using time wisely, staying organized will save you money, energy, and time. Go at your own pace, but keep filing. Happy organizing!

Question:  What is the most you have paid for a prescription?