I know this topic is outside the norm for this site. I normally share all about remote work and side hustles, and that's what I love talking about.
But honestly, with the economy being what it is right now, I've been hearing from so many readers who are stretched thin that I thought this might be helpful to share.
So if prescriptions are eating up your budget, just know there are real, legitimate ways to cut those costs. Some of them you may know about, some of them you may not.
I did some digging around today to find things that may actually help.
Here are some (hopefully) helpful ideas!
1. Check Out Cost Plus Drugs
Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs is a legit online pharmacy, and the prices are genuinely low. Here's how it works.
They use a transparent pricing model. They buy medications directly, mark them up just 15%, add a $5 pharmacy fee and $5.25 for shipping, and that's your total.
No surprises, no hidden fees. In some cases, this should end up cheaper than what you might pay at a regular pharmacy.
It apparently only has generic medications right now, so if you need a brand-name drug, this won't work. I also read customer service can be super slow. But if your medication is available and you're okay with ordering online, the savings can be significant.
You can search your medication on their website before you even commit to anything. Just so you know what you're looking at price-wise.
2. Use GoodRx for Instant Comparison Shopping
GoodRx is one of those tools that honestly just makes sense. You search for your medication, it shows you prices at different pharmacies near you, and you get a coupon code you can use.
It works kind of like a discount card. You show the code to the pharmacist, and they process it. One thing to note: prices can vary at different pharmacies, even for the same medication. So you should always check a few locations to see which one actually gives you the best deals.
The app is free, and you can use it at most pharmacies.
Even if you have insurance, sometimes the GoodRx price is lower than your copay, so be sure to check it.
Just so you know, GoodRx isn't the only discount app out there. If the price it shows you isn't great, you could also check SingleCare, RxSaver, Blink Health, or WellRx.
The same prescription can sometimes have pretty different prices depending on which app you use, so one might save you a few bucks while another could save you way more.
3. Go to Costco Pharmacy
If you're already a Costco member, definitely check their pharmacy prices! They're usually pretty competitive because Costco's whole business model is built on low markups.
Remember that non-members can technically use the pharmacy and buy prescriptions, but they won't necessarily get the special member pricing that makes it a real deal. So if you're not a member, this may not save you money compared to other options on this list.
But if you already have a Costco membership and you're not already getting your prescriptions through them, this might be something to consider.
4. Look Into Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)
Many people don't know about these. And it can be a game-changer if your situation qualifies.
Pharmaceutical companies sometimes offer patient assistance programs. These are programs where they give medications to people for free or at a huge discount, based on your income and insurance status. Not necessarily just coupons or discounts, but sometimes totally free medication.
You just go to the drug manufacturer's website and look for their patient assistance program. You fill out an application saying how much money you make and whether you have insurance.
If you qualify, they send you free or deeply discounted medication.
These supposedly work best if you're on an expensive brand-name medication, or if you're uninsured or underinsured. They also work for people who meet certain income thresholds. I saw on Reddit that some people literally just write letters to pharmaceutical companies explaining their situation and get approved!
To find these programs, you can search “[medication name] patient assistance program” or visit websites like NeedyMeds.org or RxAssist.org. These sites have directories of programs organized by medication.
If you're on an expensive drug, this could absolutely help you if you can qualify for any help.
5. Ask Your Doctor for Samples
If your doctor prescribes something new and it's expensive, just ask: “Do you have samples of this?”
Many doctors do get sample packs from pharmaceutical companies. If you need medication short-term (like an antibiotic or pain reliever for a few weeks), samples could cover you completely for free if you can get them!
Even if they don't cover your whole prescription, they might give you enough to see if the medication works for you before you commit to paying.
This is especially true for newer medications or anything that's brand-name. Doctors still apparently do this, even though some people think the practice stopped.
6. Search for Manufacturer Copay Cards
Brand-name medications often come with copay cards from the manufacturer. These aren't coupons exactly. A copay card might reduce what you pay from $70 a month to $35, or even make it free in some cases.
These usually require you to have commercial or private insurance. They generally don't work with Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, VA coverage, or if you're uninsured. So before you get excited, double check if your situation qualifies.
Go to the website of whoever makes your medication. Look for something like “copay card,” “patient savings card,” or “patient assistance.” Fill out the form. It's usually quick, and if you qualify, you get a card you can use at the pharmacy.
I read that these work pretty well for medications people take long-term, like asthma inhalers or blood pressure meds. The manufacturer wants you to keep taking their drug, so they make these cards available.
7. Check Walmart's $4 and $10 Lists
Walmart has been offering cheap generics for years. You can get certain medications for $4 for a 30-day supply or $10 for a 90-day supply.
The list changes, so you have to check Walmart's website to see if your medication is on it. But if it is, you just pick it up at the pharmacy. No coupon needed, no special program.
Remember that the 90-day supply is usually cheaper per dose, so if you can get three months at once, that might be a better deal than monthly refills.
8. Try Amazon RxPass
If you're a Prime member, you might be able to use Amazon RxPass. For $5 a month, you can get any medication on their list. The list apparently includes over 50 common generic medications, so it's not huge, but if yours is on there, this could be a really pretty easy way to save.
The medications available include common ones for diabetes, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other conditions.
Again, not every medication is on there. But if yours is, there's more savings you might not have known about.
9. Ask Your Insurance Company About Appeals and Care Management
Here's something many people don't think about that can work. Call your insurance company and ask if they have a care management department or appeals process.
If your insurance won't cover your medication or the cost is too high, you should ask them to reconsider. Your doctor can appeal the decision and explain why that specific medication is important for you.
Sometimes insurance companies will make exceptions, especially if your doctor pushes back.
Of course this takes time, and it doesn't always work. But it's free to try, and again, it may work out and that would make it worth the annoyance.
10. Talk to Your Doctor About Cheaper Alternatives
Your doctor might not know you're struggling with cost. Sometimes making sure they know can be a help.
Ask if there's a generic version of what they prescribed, or if there's a different medication that would work just as well but cost less. There are often multiple drugs that do the same thing.
Maybe you're on a brand-name blood pressure medication when a generic version would work fine. Or maybe there's a similar medication that's covered by your insurance.
Doctors want you to actually take your medication, so most of them will work with you if cost is your issue and they know what would help.
11. Check Out Free and Sliding-Scale Health Centers
You probably already know about them, but if you don't have a regular doctor or your doctor is expensive, free and sliding-scale health centers exist specifically for this situation. There are over 1,200 of these health centers across the U.S.
These centers operate on your income. So if you make very little, care might be free or extremely low cost. If you make more, you pay a small fee based on what you can afford.
These health centers of course write prescriptions, and they tend to be in-the-know about patient assistance programs and other resources. Also, they're used to working with people who need affordable options. This can actually be cheaper than finding a regular doctor through insurance.
12. Sam's Club Pharmacy
Sam's Club has a pharmacy program. If you're already a Plus member, they have prescription discounts that can be really competitive.
Non-members can technically buy prescriptions there, but you won't get the Plus member pricing, which means it won't necessarily save you money compared to other options on this list.
If you already have a Sam's Club Plus membership, definitely check their prices. The Plus discounts are where the savings happen.
13. Ask Your Pharmacist About Other Options
Your pharmacist actually knows a lot about this type of stuff, too. When you pick up a prescription, say: “Is this the cheapest option? Are there any programs I should know about?”
Independent pharmacies especially sometimes have their own discount programs or relationships with manufacturers. Chain pharmacies might not advertise these things, but they're available if you ask them.
14. Ask About Mail-Order Prescriptions
If you have health insurance, there may be another way to save that many people overlook.
Some insurance plans offer mail-order prescription programs for medications you take regularly. These programs often let you order a 90-day supply at a lower cost than filling the same prescription every month at a local pharmacy.
Not every medication qualifies, but many common medications for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, thyroid conditions, and other long-term health issues do.
The easiest way to find out is to call your insurance company and ask if they have a mail-order pharmacy option. You can also check your insurance website or member portal.
Of course, always compare prices first. Sometimes local pharmacies may still be cheaper depending on your insurance and the medication you're taking.
15. Look Into The Assistance Fund
If you have insurance but still can't afford your medication because of high copays, deductibles, or coinsurance, you may want to look into a nonprofit called The Assistance Fund.
This organization helps certain patients with serious or chronic medical conditions pay for out-of-pocket treatment costs. Depending on the condition and available funding, they may help cover expenses related to prescription medications and other healthcare costs.
Like many assistance programs, eligibility requirements apply and not every condition is covered. Funding also opens and closes throughout the year based on availability.
Programs like this don't get talked about nearly enough, and they may provide meaningful help for people who are struggling to afford treatment despite having health insurance.
I know all of this can feel overwhelming. You don't have to do everything at once. Just start by testing out a few of these options and see how it goes!
The main takeaway is that you don't always have to just accept whatever price you're quoted. There's help out there if you know where to look for it.
Good luck, and if you know of other things that I don't have listed, I would love to hear about it so I can share it with everyone else!
Anna Thurman is a work at home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 15 years. Her findings are published weekly here at Real Ways to Earn.