If you don't have health insurance, and get a prescription, how do you shop around to get the lowest price?

Question

I am wondering about this because I never see the prices of prescription drugs displayed anywhere. Can you go to different pharmacies to see which has the lowest price?

Answer 1

First before u leave Dr office ask him does he have any samples!

Second, remind ur Dr that you don't have health insurance. Sometimes they know of programs where u get it for free or reduced cost.

Third always ask him to write for generic brand. Know both names of the drug he's prescribing.

Then comes the hard part of researching. Talk with the pharmacist giving him the name brand/generic name to see what the cost will be. Remember don't ask when they are too busy to help u. Many drugstores offer discounts but you have to ask. Some you can email online to ask questions. The worse they can say is No! Then I'd take my business elsewhere. Goodluck

Fourth- go to the drug manufacturer if this is a medication you'll need long term. Many are now offering assistance to low to middle income families.

Answer 2

When I had insurance, I used to always go to the same pharmacy. When I lost my insurance I would just make a list of pharmacies close to me and just call them and ask their price. Glad I did. Prices varied by up to $30 for the same prescription.

Answer 3

At - INSURECOMPARECAR.INFO- you can compare free quotes RE If you can't afford health insurance for your family and the government says you make too much...? then what do you suggest? What if your family has too much income according to the government for your kids to even qualify for Medicaid or the low cost options (CHIP)? My husband makes $48,000 a year before taxes are taken out. While that does pay the bills and keep food on the table, we can't do a $800 monthly insurance policy and our kids are denied Medicaid and CHIP (we make $300 too much per month, of all things). We pay the necessities. We don't over spend and we don't go out and spend money on entertainment more than a few times yearly and even then it's cheap entertainment. We do what we can, but health insurance just isn't going to happen for us unless one of two things happens: 1- my husband gets a major pay raise or 2- the government changes their income requirements (don't see that happening). So what do you suggest for my family? We do what we can. We use our tax returns each year for medical expenses and bill pay offs. If a major medical expense comes up, we pay it down little by little. We do use the public health department when we can. But bottom line is that we can't afford insurance. Period. So, for all of you who think this is completely unacceptable, what do you suggest we do?

Answer 4

Call your pharmacy and ask for the generic (if available) and the price. Also ask if they will match the price of someone who has the same drug at a lower cost. If it an outrageous amount, call your doctor back and ask him if there is an alternative, inexpensive option for you. Normally, docs, don't even know how much a drug costs. He might also have samples he can give you. Don't be ashamed to ask! You can also try your local county health department. Godloveya.

Answer 5

You have to call. You can shop on online pharmacies. Many of them will list their prices for the prescription up front.

Usually your best bet will be going to a warehouse club like Sam's or Costco. They usually do not require a membership to use ther pharmacy (but call and ask..check on the price too).

Answer 6

Before you leave the doc's office do yourself a favor and tell the doctor (not the nurse, not the receptionist, she already knows) that you are strapped for cash and do not have a prescription plan. A lot of times the doc will give you samples out of their stash for free.

It has worked for me when I was not covered by insurance and is always worth a try.

Also, you can go right to the pharmaceutical company that makes the drug and explain your situation to them. Some of them offer discount/freebies.

And of course, call around, all stores have different prices.

Good luck and feel better!

Answer 7

You can call each pharmacy and ask for the "cash price" on your prescription. Of course, the pharmacy will need to know the name and quantity of the medicine.

Answer 8

You can call or visit pharmacies and ask the prices. They will tell you the price for your prescription.

Answer 9

Mostly hope you live in a state where Walmart is doing the $4 med charge, oh yes, & hope your script is one that is available in generic ( the Walmart $4 plan )
Also discovered, when my dad needed expensive meds, that the larger dosages were the same price as the smaller (eg. 50 mg and 25 mg same price for same pill count ! ) so we had the doc write for the larger pills and then we split them in half , saving 50% in effect on the price.

Answer 10

Try prices by visiting different websites.

Try search in Yahoo and MSN, Altavista

Try Keywords like Online drugstore, Discount Pharmacy and according to your location.

I supposse Canadian drugstores offers lowest prices. so try by searching Canadian Online drugstore, Cheap drugs and all that.

Compare prices of different Drugstores.
Some of them are

http://www.jandrugs.com
http://www.doctorsolve.com
http://www.tcds.com
http://summitdrugs.com