A CDC study showed 69% of U.S. adults aged 40 to 79 years old, used at least one prescription drug in the past 30 days, and 22.4%, used at least five prescription drugs. Those expenses add up quickly.

Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about alternatives and options that might be less expensive. It may be a hard conversation to have with your doctor, but they may not always be aware of the costs. It’s better to have a conversation to explore options than stop taking the drug.

Many brand-name drugs have a generic version, which means that both drugs consist of the same active ingredient, strength and dosage. They are also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as equivalent. This means generics provide the same health benefits as their brand-name counterparts, usually at a lower out-of-pocket cost to you. Talk to your doctor to see if a generic is right for you before making any substitutions. To find out if the brand-name medication you’re taking has a lower-priced generic version, visit our Find Care tool to search for generic drugs and other prescription options by name.

Ask your doctor if it’s appropriate to order a 90-day supply (at a retail pharmacy in the extended supply network or by mail). Sometimes ordering your regular medications “in bulk” and get you a better price than buying a 30-day supply.

Medications that your doctor has prescribed for you need to be taken as directed. For example, if your doctor says you need to take a medication every day, then you shouldn’t skip a day. Altering your dosage may cause medical complications that could lead to additional medical expenses for you. If you sometimes have trouble taking your medications as directed, speak to your doctor who can offer additional tips or advice.

If you take several different medications, including non-prescription medicines and dietary supplements, Keeping a comprehensive list may be especially useful if you take different medications prescribed by different doctors. Have your doctor review your list at each visit to prevent treatment duplication and unsafe drug interactions.

If you have specific questions about your plan, we always recommend reaching out to customer service. They’re happy to walk you through. They can be reached via the number on the back of your card, or via the numbers on our contact us page.