After the holiday rush, and heading into the new year, there
are a few guarantees:
- Resolutions will be
broken
- The first work week back
will be hectic
- Money will be tight
after all the holiday spending
Unfortunately, with the New Year comes many people’s
deductible phase with their healthcare insurance. This means even more out-of-pocket expense, following the spending frenzy of December. With healthcare
costs rising and copays for pharmaceuticals increasing every year….how can
average folks mitigate heavy medical costs in the first few months of the year?
One possible answer could lie at the pharmacy counter. Do
you take a “branded” medication? Typically, branded prescriptions can cost
dozens or even hundreds of dollars more, per script, than generics can. Here
are some tips from Block Insurance on how to save on branded medications in
2022:
- Check for a patient
assistance program from the manufacturer. Many drug manufacturers offer
assistance programs based on yearly income thresholds that are
advantageous to people living in rural America.
- Have you asked for a
copay card? If you have commercial insurance (other than Medicare or Medicaid),
many manufacturers offer copay cards that can be accessed on their website
or from your PCP. These cards DO work for most ACA plans as well.
- International pharmacy.
Some new healthcare plans offer an international option for prescription
drugs that can be delivered at a fraction of the cost. A Block client
recently received a 90 day prescription of an injectable therapy for
diabetes for just $20!
- Ask for help. Your local
pharmacist may be able to advise you about alternative therapies or copay
assistance available to you. If you fill your prescription at a large
chain pharmacy and don’t feel like your voice is heard, check with a local
mom and pop pharmacy. While they may have less flexible hours, they
typically have much lower volume and can be more patient-focused.
As always, our team at Block is here to help. If you have
any questions regarding your current pharmaceutical spending, give our office a
call at (870)236-8744 and ask for one of our licensed health insurance agents.
Have a happy New Year!
Andy Runyan