As a college student, you may apply for student loans to make ends meet before you complete your studies and find a well-paying job. Although student loans come in handy, there is the issue of prescription drugs being expensive. Fortunately, there are different ways you can save on prescription drugs as a student, and we’ll look into them below.
Talk To Your Pharmacist or Doctor
First, you should talk with your pharmacist or doctor. Remember that medications are expensive, and there is no shame in opening up to your pharmacist or doctor.
One of the ways your pharmacist or doctor can help you is by recommending reasonably priced medication. Also, they can help you to find discount programs. If the alternative medicine is reasonably priced, you can save a significant sum of money.
Doctors emphasize that you’re not supposed to stop taking prescription medication to save money. If you want to skip medication, you should first consult with your doctor. When you stop taking your medication abruptly, the side effects can be dire, and your symptoms may worsen with time.
Use Pharmacy Savings Cards
Prescription discount cards can reduce the price of medication by a considerable percentage. Some of the platforms that offer discount cards include Inside Rx.
Some of the common questions people have about the digital savings card by Inside Rx include the following:
Can the Inside Rx Card be Used by Anyone?
You can use an Rx card to help you save money if you have a valid prescription. Nonetheless, there are some restrictions, and they apply to people that are already covered by Medicaid or Medicare. If you’ve already enrolled in any of these programs, you can use the pharmacy savings card on non-featured and generic brand medications. Additionally, if you’re already 65 years or older, you can’t use the savings card to acquire specific medication such as Flovent® HFA or Trelegy Ellipta, among others.
The good news is that the Inside Rx savings card can be used at more than 60,000 pharmacies in the U.S.
How the Inside Rx Card Works
It’s easy to use this card. First, you should confirm whether you’re eligible to use the savings card by following these steps:
1. Download the Inside Rx savings card instantly by requesting an email or text with your card. You can also download the mobile app or print the card and take it to one of the participating pharmacies with your current prescription.
2. Show your pharmacist the card, and they will find out the Inside Rx price.
3. You can pay and enjoy savings on your prescriptions.
Can the Inside Rx Card Be Used Together with an Insurance Card?
The savings card is not a form of insurance, and it cannot be used together with a copay or insurance card, or other secondary payers. When you go outside of the benefits being offered by the savings card, the cost of medication won’t apply henceforth. Before using the savings card, check the insurance benefits since they can provide greater savings opportunities.
Compare the Cost of Medication at Different Pharmacies
The cost of medication can vary from one pharmacy to another. In some instances, paying for cash can also be cheaper than paying for insurance.
If you’re in pursuit of less expensive options, you can try out an independent pharmacy. Such pharmacies understand that not all people can afford prescription medicine. As a result, the pharmacists at such pharmacies will try and look for a solution that suits you based on your needs.
Try Out Patient Assistance Programs
Pharmaceutical firms usually offer patient assistance programs, and they’re meant or people who are underinsured or lack health insurance. If you’re currently experiencing financial hardship and cannot afford to purchase prescription medicine, you can receive medication free of charge from pharmaceutical firms.
To locate a patient assistance program, you can check out the drug manufacturers’ websites.
Consider Generic Medication
Brand-name prescriptions are usually pricey. There are also generic versions of similar medications in the market, and the drugs work similarly well. You can consult your doctor about the available treatment options. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has also ensured generic medication meets similar high standards as the brand-name medicine for them to receive approval from the FDA.
Final Thoughts
As a college student, you can utilize the tips listed above, and you’ll manage to save money when purchasing prescription medicine. Although there are additional tips on how students can lower the cost of prescriptions, we have focused on the major ones, and they’re all tried and tested.
