As part of our ongoing efforts to highlight wellness initiatives that are working well and exploring alternatives to help mitigate the rising costs of health insurance—including prescription medications—we’re excited to share real-life stories from our community. These experiences may offer valuable insights and help you find solutions that work for you.
In today’s spotlight, one of our library colleagues shares her experience with our prescription benefits as well as an alternative option that provided deep discounts. Please read on to learn about her experience and find a comprehensive listing of similar alternative programs that can save you money at the pharmacy.
Shared Experience – How the New Drug Benefits Led Me to an Alternative
“In 2010, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), and I rely on expensive specialty medications to manage the disease. When the College switched to Prime, my copay for the medication increased from $10 (the previous price for generic medication) to $100 (the new price for specialty medication). After reviewing my EOB statements, I discovered that the College was being charged over $6,000 monthly for my medication. This led me to seek a more affordable alternative, which I found through Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs.
A coworker introduced me to this option, and I decided to give it a try. With Cost Plus Drugs, my total cost for three months of medication is now $100, compared to the previous $100 for just one month through Prime. Additionally, with Prime, I had to make monthly calls or text conversations to renew my prescription. Now, everything is managed online, and I only need to refill four times a year.
Since using Cost Plus Drugs, I’ve spent less time dealing with pharmacies during the workday, which has improved my productivity and overall well-being. My advice to colleagues considering these benefits: check out Cost Plus Drugs—it could save both you and the College a significant amount of money.”
Prescription Funding or Discount Programs Information
We would like to thank this colleague for her willingness and candor in sharing her experience with us. While the College does not endorse any of the prescription funding or discount programs, there are a significant number of them that have emerged over the last few decades, and we would like to provide you with a more comprehensive listing should you be interested in exploring your options. Here are several programs and services that provide discounts or funding for prescription medications:
Discount Card & Cash-Pay Programs
- GoodRx – A free service that provides prescription discounts through coupons and price comparisons at major pharmacies. Offers additional savings with the GoodRx Gold subscription. No insurance required.
- SingleCare – Offers free discount cards and coupons for prescriptions at major pharmacies.
- RxSaver by RetailMeNot – Provides discounts on medications, similar to GoodRx.
- Optum Perks – A prescription discount program by Optum, offering savings at various pharmacies.
- ScriptSave WellRx – A free discount card and app for reducing prescription costs.
- Blink Health – Allows users to prepay for medications online and pick them up at participating pharmacies.
- US Pharmacy Card – A free discount card providing savings at most major pharmacies.
Low-Cost Online Pharmacies
- Cost Plus Drugs (Mark Cuban) – A transparent pricing model with low-cost prescriptions.
- DiRx – An online pharmacy offering direct-to-consumer prescription drugs at low prices.
- Alto Pharmacy – A digital pharmacy that delivers medications with cost-saving options.
- Amazon Pharmacy – Offers competitive cash prices and discounts for Prime members.
Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)
- NeedyMeds – Provides information on drug assistance programs and free/low-cost clinics.
- RxAssist – A database of pharmaceutical company PAPs that offer free or low-cost medications.
- Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA) – Helps patients find medication assistance programs.
- Pharmaceutical Company PAPs – Many drug manufacturers offer assistance programs for specific medications (e.g., Pfizer RxPathways, Lilly Cares, GSK For You).
State & Nonprofit Assistance Programs
- Michigan’s Prescription Drug Discount Card (MiRx) – The MiRx Card is a prescription drug discount program for Michigan residents who do not have any prescription drug coverage.
- HealthWell Foundation – Provides copay assistance for people with chronic conditions.
- PAN Foundation – Offers financial assistance for underinsured patients.
- Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) Co-Pay Relief – Helps cover medication costs for those with financial hardships.
- Good Days – Provides funding to eligible patients for high-cost medications.
Conclusion
We hope that this shared experience has shed light on the power of exploring alternatives when it comes to managing healthcare costs, especially for prescription medications. As we all face rising expenses, it’s encouraging to know that there are solutions available that can help alleviate financial strain without sacrificing quality of care. By sharing these experiences, we aim to create a supportive environment where colleagues can learn from one another and take advantage of available resources.
We encourage everyone to explore the options that may best meet their needs and to continue seeking cost-effective solutions. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey—there are plenty of resources to help ease the financial burden. Please take some time to review the comprehensive list of alternative programs provided, and don’t hesitate to reach out for more information.
A polite reminder to our readers: If you wish to comment on or share your thoughts about the experience shared, please do so respectfully and thoughtfully. We appreciate a supportive and constructive dialogue that fosters a positive atmosphere for all.
Thank you again to our colleague for her valuable insight, and we look forward to sharing more success stories as part of this ongoing wellness initiative.