THE SMART PATIENT STOP PAYING TOO MUCH FOR PRESCRIPTIONS!
hen a Lebanon Borough mom went to pick up her child’ s asthma inhaler, she expected to pay the usual $ 35 copay.
W Instead, she was told it would be $ 287. Her insurance had changed its formulary. The pharmacist suggested she try a discount program. After comparing prices online and switching pharmacies, she ultimately paid $ 62, saving more than $ 200.
Stories like this are becoming increasingly common across New Jersey. Whether it’ s insulin, heart medications, inhalers, or specialty drugs, prescription costs are rising, forcing many families and seniors to make difficult financial decisions. However, there is some good news. New Jersey offers some of the strongest prescription assistance programs in the country.
Here are some state programs that can save you hundreds of dollars: PAAD( Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged & Disabled)
• Generics often cost just $ 5
• Brand medications often cost just $ 7 A monthly insulin prescription that costs $ 420 retail could cost $ 7 through PAAD, saving more than $ 4,900 per year Senior Gold: For Residents Who Do Not Qualify for PAAD
• Pay $ 15 + 50 % of the remaining cost After $ 2,000 in annual out-of-pocket spending, cost drops to $ 15 per prescription Residents can apply for both programs through NJSave. org, a simple online screening tool.
Many pharmaceutical companies offer free or reduced-cost medications to qualifying patients. The website Rx4NJ. org helps residents search for these programs. These can be especially valuable for expensive specialty medications used to treat autoimmune disease, cancer, or chronic conditions.
Most people don’ t realize the same medication can have very different prices depending on where you fill it. Local pharmacy options include:
• CVS Pharmacy
• Walgreens
• Walmart Pharmacy
Using tools like GoodRx can help identify lower cash prices. For example, one cholesterol medication priced at $ 128 at CVS was available for $ 89 at Walmart and $ 104 at Walgreens.
All residents, regardless of age or income can enroll in the free NJ Drug Card, which provides average savings of about 30 %. Sometimes paying cash with the card can even be cheaper than an insurance copay.
• Website: www. rxresource. org / free-plans / new-jersey-drug-card. html Phone: 1-800-222-2818
If you believe you’ ve been unfairly charged by a pharmacy or denied insurance coverage for a medication you need, there are resources in New Jersey that can help. Residents can file complaints or request assistance through the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, which investigates pharmacy pricing concerns, billing disputes, and consumer protection issues.
For problems related to insurance coverage, formulary changes, or denied medication claims, residents can also contact the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. This agency oversees health insurers and can help explain appeal rights and coverage rules. Always save pharmacy receipts, screenshots of quoted prices, and insurance explanation-of-benefits statements. Documentation can help regulators resolve complaints faster.
Pharmacists are often one of the best-kept secrets in healthcare. They have a wealth of knowledge about medication alternatives, discount programs, and pricing differences between pharmacies. Taking a few minutes to ask your pharmacist questions can sometimes lead to significant savings and safer medication use.
One of the best ways to avoid prescription sticker shock is to check medication prices before filling your prescription. New Jersey residents can use the state’ s Prescription Drug Retail Price Registry through the Division of Consumer Affairs to compare prices at different pharmacies.
In addition, tools like GoodRx allow consumers to see estimated cash prices ahead of time. This transparency helps families make informed decisions, sometimes saving $ 50 to $ 200 or more per prescription simply by choosing a different pharmacy or using a coupon. Finally, ask your doctor to send the prescription electronically, but wait to fill it until you compare prices. You are not required to fill it at the first pharmacy that receives it.
Prescription affordability affects all of us. By sharing information and working together, we can make sure our neighbors get the medications they need at prices they can afford. If you or someone you know is struggling with prescription costs, please explore available programs, or feel free to contact me at mbaldinger @ lebanonboro. com for additional resources.
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