T Medication Options Let's face it. In today's world, medications can be expensive, prohibitively so in some cases. Many, but not all, medical insurance plans include prescription drug coverage. Some plans that do not include medications do include an option for a Health Savings Account where money can be put away each month to cover medications, glasses, dental care, or other approved medical needs. Medicare requires that you pay for Part D, the prescription drug plan, separately unless you have an advantage plan in which it is usually included. Having drug coverage, however, does not mean that all medications are covered under that plan. Most have a deductible that rolls over each year, so your medication in January is likely to be significantly more expensive than it would be in November. The formulary, or covered drug list, is different for each insurance and is usually divided up into tiers. Tier 1 drugs are usually provided at no cost. The copay goes up as the tier rises. For example, Tier 2 drugs may have a small copay, while Tier 4 may have a copay that is $100 or more. Some plans will pay for generic drugs but not the brand name version. Read your insurance information carefully to understand your particular coverage. Working with your provider to find the cheapest viable option that you can afford can be a lengthy and arduous process. Sometimes there is a good alternative option. Sometimes there isn't any. Drug reps used to bring large amounts of sample medication to doctors' offices, but during and after the pandemic, this option dried up. In this area, however, we are lucky to have a Community Health Center (CHC) and the 340b program, which can help provide certain medications at a discounted rate. Check with your primary care provider to see if this program may help you. Another option to find discounted medications is through either a discount program like GoodRx or a discount pharmacy. Using a GoodRx card at certain nationwide chain pharmacies - CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Safeway, Osco, and others - can significantly decrease the cost of many medications but cannot be combined with insurance. For some drugs, that may be worthwhile but not for others. You can look up your particular medication online at www.goodrx.com. There are also discount online pharmacies that carry a limited number of medications, but which in some cases can offer deep discounts. Again, these do not take insurance. You must pay the cost yourself. Sometimes though, the difference in price is worth it. Amazon offers a discounted rate either online or at chain pharmacies. The website is www.amazon.com/ primerx. Another online option is www.costplusdrugs.com. To get your medication for the best price: 1. Read your plan information to better understand how your insurance coverage works in relation to drugs. 2. Work closely with your local pharmacist and primary care provider. They can often help you find the right option. 3. Consider government programs like the CHC and the 340b program. 4. Look into online discount programs and pharmacies. 5. Be proactive. Taking advantage of other benefits provided by your insurance such as gym memberships can also help you save money. This and other supplemental benefits such as Ensure nutritional drinks may also be covered by the Medicare Pilot Program for Asbestos Related Disease for those who qualify. The Center for Asbestos Related Disease, Inc. (CARD) is happy to work with primary care providers and offers case management services to help patients understand and navigate Medicare Pilot Program for Asbestos Related Disease benefits. We also offer free screening programs for asbestos related disease and lung cancer for those who meet the criteria of our grant from ATSDR/CDC. Please call (406) 293-9274 for more information. CARD Center for Asbestos Related Disease Call 293-9274 or stop by 214 E. 3rd St to pick up a screening application. Testing available locally or from a distance. Screening provided through CDC grant # NU61TS000355. Ongoing care not covered. SCREENING // HEALTHCARE // EDUCATION // RESEARCH // OUTREACH T Medication Options Let's face it . In today's world , medications can be expensive , prohibitively so in some cases . Many , but not all , medical insurance plans include prescription drug coverage . Some plans that do not include medications do include an option for a Health Savings Account where money can be put away each month to cover medications , glasses , dental care , or other approved medical needs . Medicare requires that you pay for Part D , the prescription drug plan , separately unless you have an advantage plan in which it is usually included . Having drug coverage , however , does not mean that all medications are covered under that plan . Most have a deductible that rolls over each year , so your medication in January is likely to be significantly more expensive than it would be in November . The formulary , or covered drug list , is different for each insurance and is usually divided up into tiers . Tier 1 drugs are usually provided at no cost . The copay goes up as the tier rises . For example , Tier 2 drugs may have a small copay , while Tier 4 may have a copay that is $ 100 or more . Some plans will pay for generic drugs but not the brand name version . Read your insurance information carefully to understand your particular coverage . Working with your provider to find the cheapest viable option that you can afford can be a lengthy and arduous process . Sometimes there is a good alternative option . Sometimes there isn't any . Drug reps used to bring large amounts of sample medication to doctors ' offices , but during and after the pandemic , this option dried up . In this area , however , we are lucky to have a Community Health Center ( CHC ) and the 340b program , which can help provide certain medications at a discounted rate . Check with your primary care provider to see if this program may help you . Another option to find discounted medications is through either a discount program like GoodRx or a discount pharmacy . Using a GoodRx card at certain nationwide chain pharmacies - CVS , Walgreens , Walmart , Safeway , Osco , and others - can significantly decrease the cost of many medications but cannot be combined with insurance . For some drugs , that may be worthwhile but not for others . You can look up your particular medication online at www.goodrx.com . There are also discount online pharmacies that carry a limited number of medications , but which in some cases can offer deep discounts . Again , these do not take insurance . You must pay the cost yourself . Sometimes though , the difference in price is worth it . Amazon offers a discounted rate either online or at chain pharmacies . The website is www.amazon.com/ primerx . Another online option is www.costplusdrugs.com . To get your medication for the best price : 1. Read your plan information to better understand how your insurance coverage works in relation to drugs . 2. Work closely with your local pharmacist and primary care provider . They can often help you find the right option . 3. Consider government programs like the CHC and the 340b program . 4. Look into online discount programs and pharmacies . 5. Be proactive . Taking advantage of other benefits provided by your insurance such as gym memberships can also help you save money . This and other supplemental benefits such as Ensure nutritional drinks may also be covered by the Medicare Pilot Program for Asbestos Related Disease for those who qualify . The Center for Asbestos Related Disease , Inc. ( CARD ) is happy to work with primary care providers and offers case management services to help patients understand and navigate Medicare Pilot Program for Asbestos Related Disease benefits . We also offer free screening programs for asbestos related disease and lung cancer for those who meet the criteria of our grant from ATSDR / CDC . Please call ( 406 ) 293-9274 for more information . CARD Center for Asbestos Related Disease Call 293-9274 or stop by 214 E. 3rd St to pick up a screening application . Testing available locally or from a distance . Screening provided through CDC grant # NU61TS000355 . Ongoing care not covered . SCREENING // HEALTHCARE // EDUCATION // RESEARCH // OUTREACH