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A great way to save money on prescriptions

Some things are too good to be true. But every once in a while, there’s a genuine gem out there—in this case a website that does what it promises to do, with no strings and no catch. It’s free, and it doesn’t collect or sell private information, and it really is just there to help you.

Needymeds was founded in 1997 by a physician who’s since become a good friend. His organization and website are there only to help people find ways to reduce the costs of their medications. It’s entirely non-profit, and unlike other “drug discount” programs isn’t there to skim off marketing information or scam you with hidden costs. There are no costs, and no private health info is collected. You’re free to donate (and please do!), but everyone can use all of the site’s features without spending a penny.

You will find great stuff at the Needymeds site:

One of their best features is a drug discount card you can print yourself, right there, at no cost. I know from feedback from my patients that this card really works. It can save you big time, especially on brand-name medications that may not be on your insurance formulary. You can use it whether or not you have insurance, whether or not you have a copay, or to save money if you haven’t reached a deductible. Print it out, use it for your whole family, suggest it to your friends. There are no fees, no registration, no income or residency or insurance requirements, no nothing. It’s accepted at just about every chain. You can download and print the card from this page, which also includes more info about how it works.

There’s also an extensive, easily searched database of drug discount programs—organized by both drug names and by diseases. You can also find diagnosis-based camps and retreats, listings of helpful government programs, information about finding discounts on MRI/CT scans, mediation for medical bills, and a zip-code based, searchable listing of discount clinics. Feeling overwhelmed with this details of signing up for one of the hundreds of  pharmaceutical discount programs? There’s a searchable database of free- or low-cost paperwork assistance organizations in just about every state.

There’s plenty more good stuff, too. Visit the site and look around. You will find legitimate, no-catch ways to save money. Prescription medications can be hugely and stupidly expensive—here’s your best way to fight back.

reprinted from Dr. Roy’s Blog