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Pharmacists can help you:
- Enroll in coupon or benefits programs through drug manufacturers;
- Check which insurance plans will best cover the medications you need;
- Substitute generic medications if you are using brand-name medications unless otherwise indicated by your provider; and
- Explore less expensive prescription alternatives to reduce costs.
- When medications are as cost-effective as possible, you are more likely to follow prescribed medication directions.
- You receive better access to your medications when pharmacists help get you the most cost-effective therapy.
- Through having the most cost-effective treatment, pharmacists hope to increase your satisfaction with medication use.
Taking your prescribed medications may seem expensive now, but the long-term benefits will save you money.
Taking your prescribed medications is associated with reduced overall health costs through:
- Fewer hospital stays (decreasing hospital costs);
- Less emergency department visits (decreasing emergency room costs); and
- Decreased medical spending overall.
Properly taking your medications has a larger impact on decreasing overall medical costs in patients age 65 and older.
Adapted from: Roebuck CM, Liberman JN, Gemmill-Toyama M, Brennan TA. Medication adherence leads to lower healthcare use in and costs despite increased drug spending. Health Affair. 2011 Jan; 30(1):91-99.
- Pharmacists can help you properly understand and take your medications to decrease your other health care costs.
- This can come from Medication Therapy Management (MTM) and Medication Therapy Review (MTR) sessions.
- Specific examples related to decreasing medication costs include:
- Pharmacists can help you find the proper over-the-counter medications for your symptoms, during cold and flu season.
- Pharmacists can help you use an online tool to determine Medicare Part D plan costs, during Medicare open enrollment.
- Pharmacists can sometimes use in-store pharmacy discounts to lower costs when you have no insurance coverage.
- Pharmacists can sometimes help you sign up for a manufacturer coupon to lower the cost of that medication, when you are prescribed a new medication.
- Pharmacists can sometimes help you select Medicare plans and explain your options, before the enrollment period.