Here’s help to find the best deals on prescriptions
Posted
Jul 01 2009, 03:33 PM
by
Karen Datko
Rating:
Online searches for affordable prescription drugs may be easier than you think. Our thanks to Silicon Valley Blogger at The Digerati Life for putting the spotlight on a Web site called Medtipster.
At this site, you can search your town or region for pharmacies that offer low-cost generics of drugs you're taking, as well as low-cost therapeutic alternatives -- plus health screenings, mini clinics and immunizations available near you.
Specifically, the site says on its FAQs page: "You can search our database and find $4 generic equivalents to your prescription drugs. If there is no generic, we'll also suggest $4 drugs that might be able to be substituted with your doctor's advice."
We gave it a try and it worked pretty well, but not without a few hitches. It correctly directed us to two pharmacies within 50 miles of our ZIP code that offer a discount program that includes the generic drug we take. However, it said both stores are 22.5 miles away. Actually, they're within five miles of our home.
But, most importantly, the prices were correct. The addresses were too, although a map at the site put one of the stores in a wrong location.
Note: We live in the boonies. We suspect that if you live in a larger city, you may have better luck -- something we've noticed when trying national search sites like this.
We also learned:
- Right now only health screenings, mini clinics and immunizations held in pharmacies are available at the site. But it promises a bigger database in the future.
- Want to talk with others about health care issues? Forums are available.
- "PharmaSueAnn," a registered pharmacist, blogs about money-saving generics and other ways to reduce health care costs. You can also e-mail questions to her and, on Tuesday afternoons, call her on the phone. (Reminder: Your local pharmacist also will likely be happy to answer your questions.) Among her suggestions:
- To help you get through the "doughnut hole" dreaded by every Medicare Part D recipient, she says, "Many brand-name medications have therapeutic alternatives that have generics on the $4 type generic discount lists. Do not hesitate to talk with your doctor about it."
- Organizations called "co-payment foundations" help underinsured people with treatment costs not covered by their insurance. She provides a list.
Bonus: Silicon Valley Blogger includes Medtipster among her "10 ways to cut costs on prescription medication."
Related reading:
13 ways to save on prescriptions
15 things you need to know about insurance
How to get prescription drugs for less
Same drugs, better prices
