How to talk to your doctor about drug costs

Like many people, you may not know how much a prescription will cost until you get to the pharmacy. When you receive it, you may be shocked by the high price.

Your doctor may prescribe a drug without knowing your out-of-pocket cost or whether your insurance will cover it. That’s why it’s smart to talk to your doctor if you think your medication is too expensive.

“High prescription costs may not be on your doctor’s mind while prescribing certain medications,” says Kyle Manera, MD, an executive with Co-Immunity, a patient organization in Wichita, Kansas, for people with chronic diseases. Unless you bring it up, he says, you may end up with a prescription that costs more than you expect.

How your doctor can save you money

In a recent survey, about 67% of people who spoke to their doctors about prescription costs said they were able to find a less expensive medication.

“Doctors can help by prescribing generic versions of the medication, a 90-day supply, or larger doses that can be divided into the correct dosage,” Manera says. “They may also be aware of the different pharmaceutical programs that are in place to help lower the cost of your prescriptions.”

Here are some ways your doctor can help you keep costs down.

prescribe generic. Ask your doctor to prescribe a generic, if available, for the one you need. Generic medicines have the same active ingredients as brand-name medicines. And, like branded drugs, they are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.

Using a generic type of medication can save a lot of money. It may cost up to 80% less than a brand-name version of the same medication.

Change your dose. The cost of some pills may be the same regardless of the dose. Ask your doctor if it’s OK to push a higher dose, then split the pills in half. For example, if your doctor recommends 25 milligrams a day, ask if they can prescribe 50 milligrams and you take half a pill a day. The many grains are even designed with a notch that helps you split them evenly.

This isn’t always a good idea for all recipes, Manera says. Some medicines, such as those with time-release formulations, do not work the same way when the tablets are split. Always clear this up with your doctor first.

Change your medication. Ask your doctor if there is a similar, less expensive medication available that does the same as the more expensive medication. Different medications that treat the same condition can have very different costs.

You may be able to do without some medications. In a 2017 survey, 70% of people who talked to their doctors about prescription costs were able to forgo at least one of their medications. But never stop taking a prescribed medication without talking to your doctor first.

Order a 90-day supply. One of the best ways to save money is to order a 90-day supply of medication. You often pay less per dose when you buy a larger amount. This tactic may work well for a medication you take long-term.

How to talk to your doctor about prescription costs

A recent survey indicates that most doctors don’t talk about prescription costs with their patients. If you don’t usually talk about drug costs with your doctor, you may need to start the conversation.

You may feel awkward or embarrassed at first. If your appointments are rushed, you may feel like there is not enough time. But talking about your concerns, especially if you’re struggling with prescription costs, helps them understand your needs and give you better care.

“Medical providers are here to help you, not to judge,” Manera says. Getting more affordable medications can help you stay on track and keep you healthy.

Before your visit, make a plan to bring up the topic of drug costs.

“Bring an agenda or list of concerns to your appointment to make sure you talk about all your concerns, including prescription costs,” says Manera.

Ask your doctor to review your current prescriptions and see if there are ways you can save money. Tell them if any of your medications are not covered by your insurance plan, or if your copay is unaffordable.

Ask questions like:

• Do you know the cost of this drug?
• Do I need to continue taking the medication I am currently taking?
• Do I need the new medication you’re prescribing?
• Is there a less expensive medication that might work as well?
• Is there a generic version of this drug?
• Do you have coupons for this drug?
• Can you prescribe a medicine that has a coupon and that will work too?
• Do you have any samples of this medicine?
• Can I get a higher dose of this medicine and then cut it in half?
• Can you describe 90 supplies?

By helping you save money, your doctor can help you stay healthy.