Cheapest way to get your medications revealed

IT’S no secret that prescription medication can get extremely expensive for many Americans if they’re not careful.

The healthcare system is oriented for insurance plans to determine access and pricing for those not paying out-of-pocket.

That’s why it’s so important to find the best policies, especially as Americans will likely pay more for insurance in 2026, per the Center for American Progress.

Fortunately, most insured customers won’t be drastically affected by drug impending price changes due to them typically going to one pharmacy and paying a copay.

A prescription copay is a fixed amount of money that any patient pays out of pocket for a medication, and the insurer pays the rest to the pharmacy.

For any uninsured Americans, the difference in prescription prices can be vast.

NO CARE

CVS-owned pharmacy giant collapses into bankruptcy after ‘unconstitutional’ blow

LIDL’S RITE

Lidl replaces bankrupt pharmacy chain after bosses confirm its shutdown

Geoffrey Joyce, director of health policy at the University of Southern California’s Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, emphasized that the “price they face can vary dramatically from pharmacy to pharmacy” while speaking with MarketWatch recently.

“You could pay $10 or you could pay $220 for the same drug, depending on the pharmacy you went to,” he explained.

“They’re in a snake pit, and they’ve got to be very careful.”

So, for the cheapest prescriptions possible, insurance is the first step.

Then, there are some other top tips for more savings to explore.

DIGITAL DEALS

One of the most popular is online pharmacies, as they can be affordable if they’re in-network with insurance and offer convenience with at-home delivery options.

Capsule, for example, is one of those online services and takes most insurance plans.

Even Medicaid and Medicare can be used, and customers are only charged a copay with free same-day delivery.

They also communicate with a pharmacist through text, voice call, or in-app messaging, something that Capsule founder and chief executive Eric Kinariwala found “people actually prefer” more.

Cost Plus Drugs, founded by billionaire Mark Cuban, also offers generic medication for low prices, a favorable option for the non-insured.

The price transparency comes from breaking down what the company paid the drug manufacturer for it and then the 15% added fees for pharmacy labor and shipping.

AMAZON OPTION

Consumers can see that it’s really the labor and shipping costs accounting for most of the total cost.

Medications can also be ordered through Amazon Pharmacy, which works with most health insurance plans.

Amazon claims to “make medications more accessible and affordable,” and this is certainly possible with the added discounts it gives to Prime members on select medications.

Automatic refills can be setup as well, and like with the other online order options, they can be delivered at home with ease.

KEEP IN MIND

Aside from having insurance, having a network pharmacy, or using an online platform with home delivery, there are only a few other steps that can be taken to save more money.

Asking for generics, switching to a different form of the same drug, using discount programs like Optum Perks, or asking for 90-day supplies in bulk are a few other cost-effective approaches, per United Healthcare.

Talking to a doctor is the best place to start to start for patients to figure out what they really need.

There’s also been major shakeups among pharmacy retailers this year.

SALTY GOODBYE

Popular fast food chain off-loads rival in $115 million deal

STILL IN LOVE?

Love Is Blind couples’ relationship statuses revealed ahead of finale

CVS is currently snapping up the last remaining 63 Rite Aid stores following a major bankruptcy deal.

Walgreens is also conducting closures, with 54 shuttering recently as concerns over drug prices continue.