How to: Cut Costs and Stay Healthy

Sept. 20, 2012 - PRLog -- As families continue to struggle in this tough economy, some necessities are becoming harder and harder to afford.  A recent study by Consumer Reports shows that more and more people are skipping medical tests and not filling prescriptions.  
Nearly half the adults that Consumer Reports spoke to say they didn’t fill a prescription because of cost---almost double the number from just one year ago.

But there is help available.  Consumers have one-stop shopping when it comes to finding discounts on their prescription medications and other medical needs at www.needymeds.org.   Available in both English and Spanish, NeedyMeds provides information on cost savings on prescription drugs and helps patients navigate the overwhelming amount of information and savings available to them.  Every day, Needymeds has more than 15,000 visitors to their website.

“Cost shouldn’t determine a person’s health,” said Dr. Richard Sagall, President of NeedyMeds. “Our team members are experts on ways to help consumers take advantage of the wide variety of discounts and prescription assistance that are available.”

Sagall offers these three tips to consumers looking to cut their medical costs:

Check out Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) :
PAPs provide free or low-cost prescription medicine to people who are uninsured or under-insured and meet certain guidelines.  There are also disease-specific programs available for help defraying the cost of long-term illnesses.



“Clip” coupons:
Coupons are available for nearly 1,000 brand name drugs available on the market and are able to be used in every state in the nation.

Sign up for drug discount cards:  
There are many kinds of drug discount cards so be informed about the one you choose.  NeedyMeds offers a drug discount card that provides a savings up to 80% on medicines. The card is free and open to everyone. There is no registration and your entire family can use the same card.  Since starting the drug discount card program just over 3 years ago, NeedyMeds estimates that they have helped save patients more than $22 million on prescriptions.

About NeedyMeds:
NeedyMeds, established in 1997, is a Massachusetts-based 501(c)3 national nonprofit. NeedyMeds provides comprehensive and reliable sources of information on assistance available for people having difficulties paying for their medications or health care. NeedyMeds' website (http://www.needymeds.org) is visited by over 15,000 people each work day.