Save money on your prescriptions
This is a sponsored post on behalf of InsideRx.com.
All opinions are my own and were not influenced by any parties.
If you look in your home medicine cabinet, you will probably see at least one prescription. You, or someone in your family, may need to take these medications due to an illness or chronic condition.
You know they are essential, but the cost!?!?
Aye, aye, aye. That is another thing altogether!!
You are super mom. Think about all you do for your family!! You get the kids up for school and ready. You juggle your family’s schedule.
You tend to the house. You give your family the love and support they need. You also make sure your family is healthy. That includes making sure they have the medicines they need.
And, it’s not just you. The truth is that millions of Americans fill their prescriptions regularly. And, that number keeps growing!
How many people use prescription medications?
According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in the past 30 days[i]:
- Almost half (48.9%) of people have used at least one prescription drug
- About a fourth (23.1%) of people have used three or more prescription drugs
- 11.9% have used five or more prescription drugs
That’s a lot of medications! But, the truth is that prescriptions save and improve the quality of life for millions every single year. By the year 2020, it is estimated that 157 million people will be diagnosed with a chronic condition.[ii] That can mean — yep — more prescriptions.
The issue is not whether we need medicines to help improve our lives. Most of us will take what our doctors recommend. The problem for some people is the cost. And, unfortunately, when the prices go up, some people may either stop taking or limit the amount they take daily.
I watched a television program recently that had this issue. The family had a son who was chronically ill. His medicines were in the thousands every single month. They couldn’t afford to pay for them. They did what many people do – they didn’t adhere to their doctor’s medication instructions.
Of course, with it being television, the boy was miraculously saved, and the parents found a way to get him the medicines he needed. But that is fiction. This is real life. The truth is that more and more people are resorting to not adhering to their medication needs for this reason.
A closer look at Non-Adherence
Medication adherence is merely taking your medications according to your doctor’s instructions. It includes not only filling your prescriptions but taking them as needed in the correct dosage for the period prescribed.
Non-adherence happens if you don’t take your medications as prescribed, and it ultimately could increase healthcare costs.
Are people really not following the advice of their doctors and pharmacists? They aren’t. The CDC estimates non-adherence causes 30-50% of chronic disease treatment failures and 125,000 deaths per year in the U.S.[iii]
The additional health care costs associated with non-adherence is estimated to cost the American healthcare system between $100-$300 billion annually!![iv] Yes – billion!!
An estimated 20 – 30% of new prescriptions are never even filled at the pharmacy.[v]
The Common Causes of Non-Adherence
The most apparent reason –may be cost. Some people simply can’t afford to buy the medicines they or their family members need.
Other reasons could include a fear of addiction or lack of knowledge about the need to take a specific dose and why that is important. Others may not want “one more pill” to take every day.
The truth is that if your doctor says you need a prescription, you should talk to your doctor about why he or she has provided those instructions. Fortunately, there are ways you can still get the medicines you need — at prices, you can afford.
Don’t forget to take care of yourself
One other thing I find is that, as a mom, I tend to put everyone else’s needs ahead of my own. That usually means not buying myself clothes and sometimes sacrificing the things that I want. But the one thing I don’t forget to do is to take care of myself.
I schedule my annual visits to my doctor to get a physical. If I am not feeling well, I make a call and head in to see my doctor.
I look at my health as not only something that I need to do for myself but also my family. What good am I to them if I am sick? How does it help them if I am not well enough to take care of them?
As a mom, I can’t put myself last when it comes to my health. That means taking my prescribed medications. I have a couple I take every day. I need to.
Not only for myself but also for my family. They are counting on me to be there for them. I don’t want to disappoint.
See if you can save on prescription medicines
One of the simplest ways you can save money is to use a free prescription drug savings card from a company like InsideRx. Although actual savings vary based on medications, InsideRx offers discounts off cash price averaging 78% on generic medications and 37% on select brand medications to help save you money!
Whether you are uninsured, have a high deductible plan or the medication your doctor ordered isn’t covered by your insurance, eligible people can download a savings card for free at InsideRx.com.
You can use your Inside Rx card at more than 40,000 participating pharmacies, including big national chains!! No special ordering is required to get the discount. For more information and to see the terms and restrictions, go to InsideRx.com.
Other ways to save include:
- Check to see if you can lower your copay by using another pharmacy (costs can vary greatly) (The Inside Rx card cannot be used with insurance.*)
- See if home delivery service offers a discount
- Opt for a 90-day supply rather than 30, as that can sometimes cost less
- If you take a name-brand medication, see if there is a generic or other option (talk to your doctor first)
We all have to arm ourselves with ways to save in any way we possibly can.
How does the Inside Rx Card Work?
It is really easy to see if you can save money with the Inside Rx card!
First, go to InsideRx.com to search your medication and find the best Inside Rx price and closest participating pharmacy near you. Inside Rx works with more than 50,000 participating pharmacies in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Then, after you confirm terms and eligibility, download your free prescription savings card and print it, text it, e-mail it, or download it to your mobile wallet, to bring to your participating pharmacy.
Hand over both your savings card and prescription to your pharmacist.
Save money!!
You can reuse your card again and again. You aren’t limited to one-time use!!!
(Oh – and if you have a pet, you may want to also sign up for their Inside Rx Pets card too for savings on select human medications prescribed for pets)!! Read more about the Inside Rx pet card at InsideRxPets.com.
Nobody likes how much prescription medicines cost. But, we can’t not take them. That’s not an option. Inside Rx is a simple way to ensure you get your family what they need — at a lower cost.
Please note: Inside Rx is not insurance. Average savings rates stated are based on savings for eligible Inside Rx users, based on cash price versus Inside Rx price for featured medications. Use is subject to eligibility restrictions and other terms and conditions at www.InsideRx.com.
* Persons with insurance benefits should check those benefits as they may provide greater savings than a pharmacy discount card. The Inside Rx card cannot be used or combined with insurance.
(Oh – and if you have a pet, you want to also sign up for their Inside Rx Pets card too)!!
Nobody likes how much prescription medicines cost. But, we can’t not take them. That’s not an option. Until the prices drop, we all have to do what we can. InsideRx is a simple way to ensure you get your family what they need — at a lower cost.
[i] https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/drug-use-therapeutic.htm
[ii] https://www.nationalhealthcouncil.org/sites/default/files/AboutChronicDisease.pdf
[iii] https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/why-you-need-take-your-medications-prescribed-or-instructed
[iv] https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/66/wr/mm6645a2.htm
[v] https://www.fda.gov/drugs/special-features/why-you-need-take-your-medications-prescribed-or-instructed