HEALTH CARE
Rx Help How To Save Money on Your
Prescription Medicine
T
he increasing costs of prescription 17% of the population lacked any type drug prices continue to grow. The
drugs, combined with a lack of of health insurance whatsoever. Even AFL-CIO Task Force on Prescription
prescription drug coverage, is leav- more amazing, a staggering 26% did Drugs reports there are a few factors
ing patients without the medication not have insurance covering prescrip- that contribute to the quick increase in
they need. Fortunately, help is avail- tion drugs. prescription drug expenditures: a.) the
able. A national study has shown that Those numbers are escalating as increasing number of prescription
drugs per person; b.) the availability of
newer, more expensive prescription
drugs that replace older, less expensive
medicines; and c.) the price increases of
existing drugs. In response, govern-
ments have tried to control increasing
prices by limiting the useage of pre-
scription medicine, pressuring phar-
maceutical companies for price breaks,
and changing the Medicare payment
system. It is estimated that total
spending by and for Medicaid benefici-
aries will more than triple over the next
decade, from $71 billion in 2001 to $228
billion in 2011.
Having a condition or disease can
put a lot of strain on a person’s body
and mind. To compound the problem
further, many patients have low
income, with little or no drug insur-
ance and limited “disposable” income
which can be designated for medical
care. Even those with medical insur-
ance know there are no guarantees:
many have had to meet increasing
deductibles and had drugs go partially
covered - or totally uncovered. There
are several ways around every health-
care roadblock.
Lack of insurance coverage is a pre-
scription for disaster, while most drug
costs are quickly escalating, the cost of
brand name drugs is escalating even
more quickly. Can you take the generic
version of your medicine? Ask your
doctor and pharmacist if your prescrip-
tions can be filled with the lower-cost
generics. In some instances, this isn’t
possible because the brand names are
more efficacious than their generic alter-
50 PROFESSIONAL WOMAN’S MULTICULTURAL MAGAZINE
www.professionalwomanmag.com
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