When it comes to copay amounts, median retail prescription drug copays are $10/$30 for two-tier plans, $10/$35/$55 for three-tier plans, and $10/$35/$60/$100 for four-tier plans. These amounts have remained largely flat from 2014. Covered prescription drugs. By using your Blue Cross ID card, you will beneit from the lowest possible price at a network pharmacy, even if the pharmacy sells a medication for less than your copay. For example, if a pharmacy sells a drug for $4 and your copay for that drug is $10, you will only pay $4. If you have an annual deductible, the. Save on Prescriptions with Prime. Search, compare prescriptions drug prices and save at over 60,000 pharmacies and Amazon Pharmacy. Save up to 80% at a pharmacy near you. A typical copay for a routine visit to a doctor’s office, in network, ranges from $15 to $25; for a specialist, $30-$50; for urgent care, $75-100; and for treatment in an emergency room, $200-$300. Copays for prescription drugs depend on the medication and whether it is a brand-name drug or a generic version. Level assigned to your drug. Once you and your plan spend $4,130 combined on drugs (including deductible), you’ll pay no more than 25% of the cost for prescription drugs until your out-of-pocket spending is $6,550, under the standard drug benefit.
Medically reviewed by Leigh Ann Anderson, PharmD. Last updated on Sep 14, 2020.
Ask for a Generic Drug
Let’s face it - talking about health care costs is not at the top of everybody's to-do list. But with patients now responsible for more out-of-pocket dollars, it's important to consider the value of treatments. Here are 10 first steps for saving some medication money.
Not all drugs are available generically, but those that are have exactly the same active ingredients and therapeutic effects as brand name drugs, and can cost 30 to 80 percent less.
Don’t wait until you get to the pharmacy to ask for a generic – let your doctor or other healthcare provider know that you prefer generics before they write the prescription. Many popular but previously expensive medications are now available generically or even over-the-counter (OTC); focus on getting these cost-saving alternatives.
Popular but low cost generic drug or OTC classes that are now stocked at the pharmacy include:
- cholesterol-lowering statins
- non-sedating antihistamines
- certain type 2 diabetes drugs like metformin.
Research Your Medication Copays
Learn about your insurance copays or co-insurance. For example, research your 'tier copay' on your insurance website or give them a call and ask about tiers on your plan.
Copay tiers for prescription drugs can vary widely. Many plans have $10, $15 or $25 copays for generics (1st tier) or 'preferred' drugs (2nd tier), and up to $35, $50 or even $100 copays on brand name, non-formulary or non-preferred drugs (3rd tier).
- Quite often insurance will 'prefer' one or two particular drugs in a drug class because they can get it at a more affordable rate through negotiations. This is also why 'preferred' drugs are often no longer preferred at year's end, and your copay may go up.
- You can access most insurance company drug formularies on their websites. If you are still not sure what a drug might cost you, call your insurance company and ask them about copays for your prescription.
- Your pharmacist can also tell you your copay and suggest what alternatives you might have if you can't afford the prescription.
- And remember, don't hesitate to call your doctor and ask for a more affordable drug. Don't skip your medicine because of cost, if you can help it.
Talk to Your Healthcare Providers About Cost
Communication is key to understanding your insurance and getting it to work for you in the right way. Let your physician and pharmacist know you prefer lower copay drugs and generics when possible. They will work with you to find an affordable treatment.
If you have co-insurance for your prescription cost – for example, say you pay 15% of the total prescription cost – it is in your favor to get a generic or lower-tiered, 'preferred' drug, if possible. Since you pay a percent of the total cost, the lower the total cost, the lower the co-insurance portion that you pay.
Many drugs are now available without a prescription (OTC) - for example, the heartburn medications Nexium 24Hr or Pepcid Complete and the non-sedating antihistamine Claritin 24-Hr Allergy. Your insurance might not pay for OTC drugs, but it is usually less expensive than paying full price for a prescription. If you have a health savings account, you might be able to charge OTCs to that card, too.
Learn About the Medicare Prescription Outpatient Drug Coverage
Learn about and use the Medicare prescription outpatient drug coverage (Medicare Part D) if you are 65 years of age or older.
According to the FDA, five out of six people age 65 years and older are taking at least one medication, and close to 50 percent of all seniors take three or more medications. This can seriously add up.
Medicare is the national health insurance program for people 65 years of age and older or with certain disabilities. Using the option Part D Medicare coverage, copays are often just $5 or $10.
You might join the Drugs.com Medicare Support Group to ask questions, share opinions, and stay up with the latest news. Learn more at Medicare.gov.
Shop Around
Compare pharmacy prices for prescription drugs if you pay the full cash price instead of a copay.
- Prices between pharmacies can vary based on locations and volume of prescriptions.
- Check for the lowest prices - but also talk to your pharmacist who might be able to find a way to lower the cost to keep you as a satisfied patient.
- Your pharmacist can help maintain consistency with your medications, and check for drug interactions, side effects, and allergies, so it is best to keep all prescriptions at one pharmacy when possible.
Look for Patient Assistance Programs
Patient assistance programs provide free or lower-cost medications to people who cannot afford to buy their medicine.
Many pharmaceutical companies have patient assistance programs listed on their website. They may offer low- or no-cost copay coupons for certain medications, too.
You can also contact RxAssist.org, NeedyMeds.org, or PatientHelpNetwork.org – websites that offer a comprehensive listing of resources that offer assistance for low-income families. They may offer discount cards, as well.
Ask for Free Medication Samples
Consider checking with your doctor to see if they have free samples of your prescription medications.
- Often, doctors will have full size samples they can pass along, especially for maintenance medications such as asthma inhalers or blood pressure medications.
- These may be brand name products that do not have a generic available yet, so ask your doctor if you will be able to substitute a generic when needed. If not, you may be paying out-of-pocket for a very expensive brand name drug after your sample runs out.
- Don't pay for an expensive brand name drug if an equally effective generic is available. If you're not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Seek Out Low-Cost Generics
- Look for pharmacies that offer low-cost generic drugs.
- Some retail pharmacies have a generic list of drugs on their website with costs as low as $4.00 for a 1-month supply or $10 for a 3-month supply.
- To get the lower cost 3-month supply, your doctor may need to actually write your prescription for a 90-day supply, so ask for that during your visit.
- Some retail grocery store chains even offer certain free genericantibiotics or other classes, be sure to ask.
- Show your $4 or free lists to your doctor to see if there are any options on the list for your specific condition.
- If you have the option to order medications via the mail (mail order pharmacy), this can save you money (and time), too. But you may have to buy a 3- or 6- month supply of maintenance medications like diabetes treatments or antidepressants, as mail order pharmacies often only sell drugs in bulk. If you're not sure you'll stay on the medicine, this might waste money and medicine, as you can't return it.
- Finding a medication that you can afford so you are able to take it as prescribed is very important. Look for generic over-the-counter (OTC) and store brand medications, too.
Discount Coupons: Don't Leave Home Without Them
Seek out online (but reliable) coupon codes and discount cards that can save money for your specific medication; these usually work if you're paying cash.
- Take the discount code or card to the pharmacist (or show it on your phone) and they can usually enter the code to gain the discount for you.
- Pharmacies are getting more comfortable with accepting these discount cards, but not all of them. You might want to call before you drive over.
- Keep in mind, some pharmacies may not honor coupon codes for controlled substances like opioid pain or anxiety medications.
If you find that a prescription cost is simply out of reach, ask your pharmacist if they can contact the doctor to determine a less expensive alternative. In most instances, a comparable medication that is lower in cost can be prescribed for your condition.
Finally, think about asking for a discount at the pharmacy counter. Many chain pharmacies have in-house prescription discounts they can offer, although you may have to pay a small fee. These plans can often save $10 or more per prescription.
Only Buy Reliable and Trustworthy Medications
While it may be a tempting way to save money on medications, do not buy prescriptions from foreign countries or from unreliable websites on the Internet. What you might save in dollars can be costly to your health.
- According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) “the safety and effectiveness of imported drugs have not been reviewed by the FDA, and their identity and potency can't be assured.”
- You could receive the wrong drug, the wrong strength, fake drugs, or even outdated, expired medications.
- The FDA’s BeSafeRx can help you identify and avoid fake online pharmacies.
Finished: Top 10 Ways to Save Money on Your Medication Costs
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Sources
- FDA. Generic Drug Facts. Accessed Sept. 14, 2020 at https://www.fda.gov/drugs/generic-drugs/generic-drug-facts
- Consumer Reports. Same Generic Drugs, Many Prices. Accessed Sept. 14, 2020 at http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/05/same-generic-drug-many-prices/index.htm
- FDA. BeSafeRx: Know Your Online Pharmacy. Accessed Sept. 14, 2020 at https://www.fda.gov/drugs/quick-tips-buying-medicines-over-internet/besaferx-know-your-online-pharmacy
Further information
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
Important Safety Information
Abuse and dependence. Mydayis, other amphetamine containing medicines, and methylphenidate have a high chance for abuse and can cause physical and psychological dependence. Your healthcare provider should check you or your child for signs of abuse and dependence before and during treatment with Mydayis.
Tell your healthcare provider (HCP) if you or your child have ever abused or been dependent on alcohol, prescription medicines, or street drugs. Your HCP can tell you how physical and psychological dependence and drug addiction are different.
Mydayis is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it contains amphetamine that can be a target for people who abuse prescription medicines or street drugs. Keep Mydayis in a safe place to protect it from theft. Never give Mydayis to anyone else, because it may cause death or harm them. Selling or giving away Mydayis may harm others and is against the law.
Who should not take Mydayis?
Do not take Mydayis if you or your child is:
Prescription Copay Help
- allergic to amphetamine or any of the ingredients in Mydayis. See Medication Guide for a list of ingredients.
- taking or have taken a medicine for depression (monoamine oxidase inhibitor [MAOI]) within the past 14 days.
Serious problems can occur while taking Mydayis. Tell your HCP:
- if you or your child have heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure, or a family history of these problems. Sudden death has occurred in people with heart problems or defects taking stimulant medicines. Sudden death, stroke and heart attack have happened in adults taking stimulant medicines. Your HCP should check you or your child carefully for heart problems before starting Mydayis. Since increases in blood pressure and heart rate may occur, your HCP should regularly check these during treatment. Call your HCP or go to the ER right away if you or your child has any signs of heart problems such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while taking Mydayis.
- if you or your child have mental (psychiatric) problems, or a family history of suicide, bipolar illness, or depression. New or worse behavior and thought problems or new or worse bipolar illness may occur. New psychotic symptoms (such as hearing voices, or seeing or believing things that are not real) or new manic symptoms may occur. Call your HCP right away if you or your child have any new or worsening mental symptoms or problems during treatment, especially hearing voices, seeing or believing things that are not real, or new manic symptoms.
- if your child is having slowing of growth (height or weight). The HCP should check your child’s height and weight often while on Mydayis, and may stop treatment if a problem is found. Mydayis is not for children 12 years and younger.
- if you or your child have circulation problems in fingers and toes (peripheral vasculopathy, including Raynaud’s phenomenon). Fingers or toes may feel numb, cool, painful, sensitive to temperature and/or change color. Call your HCP if you or your child have any of these symptoms or any signs of unexplained wounds appearing on fingers or toes while taking Mydayis.
- if you or your child have a seizure. Your HCP will stop treatment.
- if you or your child have symptoms of serotonin syndrome: agitation, hallucinations, coma, or changes in mental status; problems controlling movements or muscle twitching, stiffness, or tightness; fast heartbeat; sweating or fever; nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. Call your HCP or go to the ER if symptoms occur. Serotonin syndrome may occur if Mydayis is taken with certain medicines and may be life-threatening.
- if you or your child are or become pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if Mydayis may harm your unborn baby.
- if you or your child are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should not breastfeed while taking Mydayis. Mydayis passes into breast milk.
What should I avoid during Mydayis treatment?
Copay Cards For Prescription Drugs
- Avoid drinking alcohol during treatment with Mydayis.
What are possible side effects of Mydayis?
The most common side effects of Mydayis include:
- trouble sleeping
- decreased appetite
- dry mouth
- increased heart rate
- anxiety
- nausea
- irritability
- weight loss
What is MYDAYIS®?
Mydayis (mixed salts of a single-entity amphetamine product) is a prescription medicine for ADHD in patients 13 years and older. Mydayis is not for children 12 years and younger.
For additional safety information, click for Medication Guide, including Warning about Abuse, and discuss with your healthcare provider.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Takeda is committed to helping ensure the proper use of stimulant medication. Please see the Proper Use of Prescription Stimulant Medication for additional information.
There is a pregnancy registry for females who are exposed to MYDAYIS during pregnancy. The purpose of the registry is to collect information about the health of females exposed to MYDAYIS and their babies. If you or your child becomes pregnant during treatment with MYDAYIS, talk to your healthcare provider about registering with the National Pregnancy Registry for Psychiatric Medications at 1-866-961-2388 or visit online at https://womensmentalhealth.org/research/pregnancyregistry/.