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How to Save Money on Your Cancer Medications
The costs associated with treating cancer can be expensive, particularly when it comes to medications. If you're looking to save money, ask your doctor if any of your drugs are available as generics. Ask your pharmacist about splitting pills or over-the-counter versions. Also, take a look at possible assistance programs, discount cards, or other forms of relief.
If you are undergoing any sort of cancer treatment, it doesn't take long to realize that the medications are expensive. From chemo drugs to pain medications to antinausea drugs, each medication you take can put a large dent in your budget.
Is there anything that can be done? Yes! Read on for a few tips and tricks to help you save a little (or maybe even a lot) on your cancer medications.
Before you get started with your cancer treatment, it's easy to just assume that you'll be getting all your medications at your pharmacy. But that is rarely the case.
Will you be receiving intravenous chemotherapy? Then you'll be getting those drugs directly from your doctor or clinic. Will you be taking a "specialty" medication (specialty medications are typically very expensive drugs that your insurance has special rules about)? Then you might have to get it from a "specialty" pharmacy your insurance specifies (often, their own mail-order facility). Are you getting drugs through a medication assistance program through a manufacturer? Then you might be receiving them through the mail or through certain clinics.
You'll need different approaches for saving money, depending on where you're getting your drugs.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD