 1. Ask about generic or lower-cost
equivalents.
Your health plan has a list of covered prescription drugs, called a
formulary. Within that list are preferred drugs, which have a lower
copayment cost for the patient. These are clinical or therapeutic
equivalents to higher-priced brand drugs.
Always ask your prescriber or pharmacist, “Is there a generic for
that?” It’s a fair question. Many physicians write for the familiar
brands, the “tried and true,” or the newest, most highly marketed
drug in the therapy class. Until you ask, they may not be well
acquainted with lower-cost equivalents on your particular plan’s
formulary.
2. Don’t be duped by drug coupons.
Hundreds of high-priced brand drugs offer coupons that apply to the
consumer’s share of the drug’s cost. But beware: A temporary
discount may end up costing you more in the long run. A recent study
in The New England Journal of Medicine found that 62 percent of
coupons were for brand-name drugs for which lower-cost alternatives
were available.
“Despite the short-term savings achievable with coupons, they do not
offset higher, long-term costs because they’re nearly always
time-delimited,” the study states. “Some coupons can be used once
and others more than once. But we found that few offered savings for
more than a year. Once a coupon program ends, patients with chronic
disease face copayments for these brand-name medications that are
higher than for those generic alternatives.”
3. Use preferred retail pharmacies for acute medications.
Many prescription plans offer a preferred network of retail
pharmacies within a wider network. These plans allow you to save
between $5 and $10 on copayments just by choosing a preferred
pharmacy. Chances are good that a preferred pharmacy is conveniently
located near you.
Before you fill a prescription for an acute medication, such as an
antibiotic or painkiller, use your plan’s pharmacy locater to find a
preferred option. And inform your doctor, as he or she may now send
electronic prescriptions directly to the pharmacy.
Medicare patients choosing a prescription plan should look for one
that offers preferred networks. Savings at the pharmacy window can
easily exceed any small difference in premium amount.
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 4. Use home delivery
for chronic or maintenance medications.
With home delivery, many patients can save up to 33 percent on their
copayment costs and have the medication delivered right to their
door.
Home delivery is a safe and convenient way to obtain medications
that you use long term. Many pharmacy plans will provide you with a
90-day supply for a lower copayment. Be sure to tell your doctor
that you use home delivery so your prescription can be written for a
90-day supply.
There’s an important bonus that can save you even more: Patients
using home delivery are more likely to take their medication as
prescribed (see No. 5).
5. Take your medications as prescribed.
While it might be tempting to stretch your medication dollar by
skipping daily doses, this can be harmful to your health and end up
costing you significantly more money to treat the health
complications that could have been avoided.
Adherence to your prescribed therapy is the best way to make sure
you get the most from your pharmacy benefit. Take your medication at
the proper time and frequency as indicated by your doctor, and
refill and renew prescriptions as early as possible so you are never
empty-handed. Express Scripts offers mobile apps, as well as
auto-refill and renewal reminder programs to help you stay on track.
For more information, visit lab.express-scripts.com.
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