Savings and Tips

Consult with your physician about alternative therapies

Before you begin a new prescription medication, talk with your doctor about non-prescription modifications to your lifestyle, diet or exercise. These changes may postpone, reduce or avoid the need for taking a new medication.

Review your other medications

Disclose all the medications that you are taking to your physician and pharmacist before they prescribe or dispense a new medication. Some medications may intensify or reduce the effectiveness of another, or may even possibly duplicate the effects of another drug you are taking.

Select the lowest-cost alternative

Many brand-name prescription medications have a generic equivalent. Generic drugs are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness, and are manufactured under the same strict rules which apply to their brand-name twin. So ask your physician and pharmacist if there is a generic drug that will save you money. If no generic equivalent is available, there may still be a lower-cost alternative within the same class of drugs that performs the functions your care requires. Once again, consult with your physician on these money-saving alternatives.

Obtain a larger supply

In most instances, your cost per dosage will decrease as the amount you have dispensed at one time increases. If you will be taking a medication for an extended period of time, ask your physician if it would be appropriate to prescribe a 90-day supply rather than a 30-day supply.

Shop only at preferred pharmacies

All chain pharmacies and most independent pharmacies have been given equal opportunity to serve you via this program. Participating pharmacies are required to offer you deep discounts and assist in performing some fairly complicated drug management procedures for card holders, and not all pharmacies agree to participate. However, that gives you the confidence of knowing that pharmacies participating in this program are concerned with your health and saving you money, and therefore, are deserving of your business and loyalty.

Show your card every time

To ensure your medication is checked for safety and billed at the correct price, your pharmacist needs to transmit valuable information in your card. In some instances, the pharmacist may store your card information in their computer. However, to be certain you receive the maximum benefit, you need to show your card each time you have your prescriptions filled.

Utilize our mail order service

You may find additional savings and convenience ordering frequently-used medications through our U.S mail order service.

Understand your drug therapy

You invest a lot of money in medications. In order to get the most value for your dollar, you need to understand how to use your prescription drugs effectively. Make sure your physician and pharmacist explain how and when to take each prescription medication. Some factors to consider when trying to get the most from your medication are the effects of:

• Food and water being taken with your medication.
• The time of day you take your medication.
• Effects of other medications, including over-the-counter drugs, on your prescription.

Store your medications properly

Most medications will lose their effectiveness when they are subject to heat, moisture, light, or time. A steamy bathroom or a purse left in a hot car are examples of bad places to keep medicine. Store your medications in a cool, dark place. Remember to carry your daily or weekly medications in a pillbox to avoid damaging your entire supply of medication. Also, always remember to check expiration dates and dispose of expired medications by flushing them down the toilet.

Talk with your physician

Make sure that your physician knows that saving money is important to you. Ask that they prescribe a generic equivalent or lower-cost alternative if at all appropriate. Also, make sure that they know about any other drugs you are taking that may alter the effectiveness of the medication they are prescribing. Finally, make sure that you understand the drug therapy they prescribe so that you obtain the most value from the drugs that you are about to invest in. The following "Message to Physicians" contains information that should assist you in talking with your doctor about saving money.

MESSAGE TO PHYSICIANS

This plan is designed to save your patient money and promote good health. Use of alternative medications recommended at the point-of-sale is not required. This plan will only reject a prescription on the basis of a medication-to-medication interaction. Please make sure your patient discloses all the medications they are taking and understands their medication therapy, including possible drug and food interactions.

This plan has no maximum day or quantity limits. This allows the patient to obtain larger quantities of maintenance medications that may result in greater cost savings. When appropriate, please prescribe a generic medication therapy, or consider dispensing the lowest-cost alternative within the therapeutic class. Please also consider recommending pill splitting of a higher dosage and/or alternative medication when appropriate. This may offer the consumer greater savings.