How to pay less for your prescriptions

As prescription costs have gone up, the number of people who can afford their medications has gone down. If your prescriptions are taking a big bite out of your budget, follow these helpful tips to help minimize the pain.

Pharmacies often offer different prices for the same prescription. So do some comparison shopping and ask a few pharmacies what your medication will cost. You may be surprised to find striking differences in prices.

When you have your next appointment with your doctor, ask him or her to write a prescription for a three-month supply. Not only will you save time and money going to the pharmacy, you may also save on co-payments.

Often your doctor will have several samples of medications from drug company representatives stored in his or her office. Be sure to ask your doctor if any samples of your prescription are available.

Ask your doctor if you can split a larger pill so you pay one co-payment for twice as many pills. Be sure to do this only if your doctor agrees.

Often times "no-name" drugs meet the same standards as brands with big names and big advertising budgets. The advantage is that they cost significantly less. Your doctor may be happy to prescribe a generic if you ask.

You may be able to order your commonly used medicines and refills by mail, which could save you a bundle. Be sure to ask your insurance company for details.

At the end of the day, saving even a bit of money on the prescriptions you need can relieve some stress and help you get on your way to wellness.