Choose Generic Drugs
If you're taking a brand-name prescription drug, you may be spending more money than you need to for your medicine. Generally, switching to a generic drug can add up to big savings for you.
A generic drug is a copy of a brand-name drug. Generic drugs are closely regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. They are as safe and effective and usually cost a lot less than brand-name drugs. Not all brand-name medicines have a generic equivalent, but many do. Always ask your doctor if a generic drug is available for any prescription medication that you take.
Take Advantage of Low-Cost Generic Drug Programs
Several pharmacies have programs to provide a 30-day supply of many popular generic drugs for as little as $4. Some also offer low-cost 90-day supply options. The drugs available and prices offered through these programs vary by pharmacy. Not all pharmacies offer a low-cost generic program. Here are a couple that do:
When you bring your prescription to a pharmacy with a low-cost generic program, be sure to provide your ID card and ask for the lower generic rate.
Note: In some cases, a two percent MinnesotaCare tax may be applied to a prescription. For example, a $4 prescription may actually cost $4.08. This fee is usually added when the cost of the prescription is less than the individual's copay. Prior to making a purchase, you can always ask the pharmacy staff if this tax will be added to the price of your prescription, or if it is included in the posted price.
See How the Savings Add Up
The chart below shows examples of just how cost-effective it can be to swap a brand-name drug for a generic one.
Price Comparison Chart
Therapeutic
Use |
Brand-Name
Drug Name |
Approximate
Cost for
30-Day Supply |
Generic Drug Name |
Approximate
Cost for
30-Day Supply |
Generic
Savings |
Allergies, Conjunctivitis
|
Patanol® 0.1% eye drops
|
$286.46
|
olopatadine 0.1% eye drops
|
$12.45
|
$274.01
|
Antibiotic
|
Levaquin® 500 mg
(10 tablets for
10-day course)
|
$296.50
|
levofloxacin 500 mg
|
$3.95
|
$292.55
|
Asthma
|
Singulair®* 10 mg
|
$245.86
|
montelukast 10 mg
|
$3.67
|
$242.19
|
Anticoagulant
|
Plavix®* 75 mg
|
$211.87
|
clopidogrel 75 mg
|
$4.66
|
$207.21
|
Anticoagulant
|
Coumadin®
5 mg
|
$68.79
|
warfarin
5 mg
|
$6.16
|
$62.63
|
Cholesterol
|
Lopid® 600 mg
|
$198.97
|
gemfibrozil 600 mg
|
$3.29
|
$195.68
|
Cholesterol
|
Lipitor®* 20 mg
|
$1,416.40
|
atorvastatin 20 mg
|
$0
|
$1,416.40
|
Depression
|
Celexa®* 20 mg
|
$304.62
|
citalopram 20 mg
|
$1.45
|
$339.17
|
Depression
|
Khedezla® 50 mg
|
$359.92
|
desvenlafaxine ER 50 mg
|
$143.29
|
$216.63
|
Diabetes
|
Glucophage®* 1,000 mg
(Using twice daily)
|
$135.69
|
metformin 1,000 mg
|
$2.59
|
$133.10
|
High Blood Pressure
|
Cozaar®* 50 mg
|
$341.97
|
losartan 50 mg
|
$13.16
|
$328.81
|
High Blood Pressure
|
Tenormin® 50 mg
|
$375.99
|
atenolol 50 mg
|
$3.63
|
$372.36
|
Hyperthyroidism
|
Synthroid® 100 mcg
|
$38.83
|
levothyroxine 100 mcg
|
$10.32
|
$28.51
|
Insomnia
|
Ambien®* 10 mg
(formulary quantity limits
may apply)
|
$602.08
|
zolpidem 10 mg
|
$3.38
|
$598.70
|
Nausea
|
Zofran® 4 mg
(10 tablets)
|
$229.33
|
ondansetron 4 mg
|
$2.14
|
$227.19
|
Pain and Inflammation
|
Celebrex®* 100 mg
|
$228.21
|
celecoxib 100 mg
|
$10.50
|
$217.71
|
*No coverage
Please note: Cost estimates are based on information from the Medica pharmacy benefit manager using the Medica general commercial plans formulary and pay structure as of January 2020. Prices at non-participating pharmacies may be higher. The actual price a member will pay is determined by the member's pharmacy benefit plan.
Consider Splitting Pills
Talk to your doctor about pill splitting. Essentially, splitting pills allows you to buy two for the price of one. Not all pills can be split, but many can. Splitting your pills may be an option for you if:
- your doctor approves of it.
- you learn the proper way to split them. Your pharmacist may be able to show you.
- you split only pills that are scored (never split extended- or continued-release tablets).
- you use a device designed specifically for splitting pills, available at most pharmacies for under $10.
Consider dose optimization
Sometimes, doctors prescribe drugs at a lower dose and gradually increase the dose of a medication. Dose optimization means increasing the amount of medication so that you only have to take it once a day instead of taking a lower dose twice per day. For example, a 10mg dose taken twice daily could be changed to a 20mg dose taken only once daily. You may be able to save money if you take fewer doses each day.
Talk to your doctor about whether the doseage you are taking can be changed to the higher dose once daily. There may be medical reasons why your doctor believes the lower dose twice daily is safer or more effective for you.
Understand Your Medications
Take your medicine
When your doctor prescribes a medicine for you, it's important that you take it as directed. Not taking medicines as prescribed can lead to needless illness and suffering, preventable hospitalizations and higher costs. Be responsible and take your medicine. Your life could depend on it.
Prevent medication errors
Complications from getting the wrong medication or from medication interactions are all too common. Fortunately, you can take steps to avoid such problems. Learn more.
According to the Institute of Medicine, medication errors cause more than 1.5 million injuries to Americans each year. Below are some suggestions to help keep you safe.
Make sure your medicine is working
An annual medicine review or "Med-Checkup" with your doctor can help to make sure you are taking only the medicines you need. It also allows your doctor to check for potentially dangerous medication interactions. Here's what you need to do:
- Next time you schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor, let your doctor know that you want to review your medicine.
- Before the appointment, put all of the medicines you are taking in a bag. Be sure to include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbal/dietary supplements. All items should be in their original containers.
- Take the bag with you to the appointment and discuss the contents with your doctor. See a list of questions to ask.
Avoid medication mix-ups
Many drug names look and/or sound alike. For example, acebutolol is used to treat high blood pressure, whereas albuterol is used for wheezing and shortness of breath. These similarities can cause confusion when prescriptions are filled at the pharmacy and may pose health risks for you. To help avoid errors, follow these tips:
- Ask your prescribing provider to write down the purpose of the medication on the actual prescription. This will help your pharmacist.
- Ask your pharmacist to verify that each prescription is appropriate for your condition.
- During your doctor appointment, write down the correct name, spelling and dosage of the medication to be prescribed. When the prescription is filled, make sure the medication matches what you were expecting.
- Talk to your pharmacist about any questions you have regarding your prescription or over-the-counter medications.
Know what you're supposed to take and why
The Minnesota Alliance for Patient Safety has compiled the following list of questions you should ask about each medicine that you take:
- What is the name of the medicine?
- What is it for?
- What does it look like?
- What time should I take it?
- How much of it should I take each time?
- How should I take it?
- Should I take it with food?
- How long should I take it?
- What should I do if I miss a dose?
- Are there any side effects? What should I do if I have any?
- How should I store it?
- Is it safe to take with other medicine that I am taking including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and/or herbal supplements?
- Are there certain foods, drinks or activities I should avoid while taking it?
You can find a wealth of information, including answers to some of the questions above, for hundreds of medicines in the "Drugs A – Z" online resource.
Research a medication.
Keep a current list of your medications
Many people have trouble keeping track of their medicines. A medication list provides a simple way to manage all of the medicines that a person needs to take on a regular basis. A medication list should include information for each medication including the name, dosage, how it's taken, when it's taken and the reason it's taken. Be sure to keep your list current and update it each time you start or stop taking a medication.
Always carry your current medication list with you so you will have it in case of an emergency.
|
Save money with generic drugs
Learn how you can buy select generic drugs for $4.
Click "Choose generic drugs" tab
Other Helpful Resources
Need help locating a provider in your Medica plan's network?
- Use Medica's online directory
- Call Medica Customer Service (The phone number is on your Medica member ID card)
Questions about your benefits?
- Check out the Benefits & Coverage section on mymedica.com
- Call Medica Customer Service (The phone number is listed on your Medica member ID card)
Looking for answers to questions about your health?
- Check out My Health Rewards by Medica® on mymedica.com
- Contact Medica CallLink® nurse line. Registered nurses are available 24/7.
Learn more
Looking for general cost estimates for services outside of Medica's service area?
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