Here's a tip from a Free Money Finance reader who left the following comment in response to my post on "50 Ways to Trim Your Budget, Part 5: Medical Costs":
My Mom always asks the doctor or at the desk as she leaves the doctor's office for samples of drugs that have been prescribed to her. Now they automatically give her samples at each visit. Even with insurance some of the drugs are pretty expensive.
Great idea! My wife does this when our kids have to visit the doctor and need medicine. Doctors have stockpiles of samples and they often have enough that we don't have to get a prescription filled or buy additional medications.
It's also worth going to the sites of the prescription drugs you're taking. Most of them have discount coupons that you can use. They also offer special discounts from time to time, so it's worth checking freebie sites to see what type of discounts you may be able to get.
http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=67
Posted by: pfadvice | October 22, 2005 at 07:31 AM
My Dr. does this too. Several months ago I needed a prescription for some sinus medication. My pharmacist said that my insurance wouldn't cover it (they only covered the generic version which my Dr. hadn't prescribed.) Called the Doctor to get the prescription changed, they said just come in and we'll give you samples. Got 20 pills for free (would have cost $30+ to buy them)...
Posted by: Steve | October 22, 2005 at 09:10 AM