5 ways to get help with Medicare prescription drug costs.
Here are 5 tips to consider if you think you might need to get help with the costs of prescription drug coverage.
1. Consider switching to generics or other lower-cost drugs.
Some ways you may be able to lower the cost of your drugs include choosing generics over brand new prescriptions or biosimilars over original biological products. You might also pay for a drug without insurance (like pharmacy savings programs or manufacturer discounts). Ask your pharmacist—they can tell you if there's a less expensive option available. Check with your doctor to make sure the generic or biosimilar option is best for you.
2. Choose a Medicare drug plan that offers additional coverage during the gap.
There are plans that offer additional coverage during the Medicare drug coverage gap, like for generic drugs. However, plans with additional gap coverage to help pay for prescriptions may charge a higher monthly premium. Check with the drug plan first to see if your drugs would be covered during the gap. Find health & drug plans.
3. Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs.
Some pharmaceutical companies offer programs to help pay for medications for people enrolled in Medicare drug coverage (Part D). Find out whether there’s a Pharmaceutical Assistance Program that can lower prescription costs for the drugs you take.
4. State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs.
Many states and the U.S. Virgin Islands offer help paying for prescriptions, drug plan premiums and/or other drug costs. Find out if your state has a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program.
Medicare and Social Security have a program called Extra Help—a way for people with limited income and resources to get help with prescription costs. If you qualify for Extra Help, you could pay no more than:
$4.50 for each generic covered drug in 2024
$11.20 for each brand-name covered drug in 2024
https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/costs-for-medicare-drug-coverage/costs-in-the-coverage-gap/5-ways-to-get-help-with-prescription-costs