Free Prescription Drug Insurance
The number of Americans without medical insurance was 46.6 million in 2005 according to The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and that number is continuing to rise! Here are some potential options for people without prescription or medical coverage including free medication discount cards and affordable insurance plans.
Get Free/Discount Drugs
Some drugs can cost $100’s of dollars per month, but drug companies have banded together to form The Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPARX) which currently helps around 4 million people get the brand name drugs that they need. Sure that only puts a small dent in the overall problem, but most people without insurance don’t even know that programs like this exist!
Other free prescription discount cards include:
These programs can save you at least 10-65% off your presription “generic” drug costs! You should also look into any state specific programs at NeedyMeds.com where you can find more information on reducing healthcare costs.
Shop Around
Other actions taken by pharmacies include the $4 generic presciption drugs initiated by Walmart and 7 free antibiotics at Publix stores.
Walgreen’s is the most expensive drug store and has the highest markups, even with their $20 per year discount program which is not available to seniors. You can see for yourself with the prescription drug price checker available on the UNA card website.
Sometimes you can even get drugs for less than your co-pay!
What About Cheap Medical Coverage?
You may be able to get reasonable medical coverage if you have lost your job or if your company does not provide benefits through the 2 organizations listed below. COBRA is usually far too expensive and you can probably find comparable coverage at a huge savings by comparing quotes online.
I have personally used eHealthInsurance and was able to compare quite a few insurance plans to find a good deals. Health Insurance Search is another promising option, but they are relatively new.
Both of these companies are health insurance brokers that will provide you with quotes from a wide variety of major corporations such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and United Healthcare. You could even opt for catastrophic coverage, which is very inexpensive and will prevent your life saving from being wiped out in case of a major medical problem like cancer or a broken leg.
The System Isn’t Perfect
Our healthcare system isn’t perfect, but there are more options out there than most people are aware of. You owe it to yourself, your family, and your wallet to look into these programs, especially the free discount drug program mentioned earlier.
Even if you have insurance, check your generic drug prices on the UNA Card website I hope that this info will help alleviate some of your financial burden and wish you a healthy future.