published: Friday, May 11, 2012

Use coupons to save on your prescriptions

Tanya

Senseney

DIVINE DEAL DIVA

Prescriptions can cost a fortune. Many families are without insurance right now and that makes it very difficult to get prescription medicines.

Did you know that couponing is another way that you can save on your prescriptions?

Many stores will offer a coupon or an incentive if you fill a prescription with them. You can find them mainly in your weekly sale circulars, both in store and online. You also can call your pharmacy anytime and inquire about prescription savings programs and/-or incentives.

There are three main types of prescription coupons:

1) New prescriptions -- This type of coupon is great for when you or a family member are sick or in emergency situations.

2) Transferred prescriptions -- I do love my main pharmacy but if another store is offering a $25 gift card or $1 in fuel perks for transferring a prescription, then I am going to take advantage of this offer.

3) Dollars off brand prescriptions -- Next time your doctor gives you a prescription, make sure to ask if they have any incentive cards or samples available. Many pharmaceutical companies will give you a free prescription when you fill it.

For example: I have asthma and my doctor recently switched me to a new prescription. The sample came with a card to get a free 30-day supply with or without insurance. The pharmacist simply follows the directions on the card and you receive a prescription for free, or at a huge discount.

Many families use mail order or Canadian drug firms and that can be a savings also. I like to have the extra $25 gift card or fuel perks instead because that will go a long way to help your family in other ways. You have to get a prescription, so why not get paid for it and use those gift cards or fuel perks to buy groceries or gas?

Make sure to check with your local pharmacy to see if it honors other pharmacy coupons. Publix and some CVS pharmacies will honor the prescription coupons of competitors. Winn-Dixie and Walgreens also will match that price or any other lower price prescription.

If your company offers a Flexible Spending Account, make sure to use the funds from that account to purchase your prescriptions.

Take advantage of free prescriptions/antibiotics. Publix has a very big list of free prescriptions, like Metformin and many antibiotics. Check with your doctor to see if any of the free prescriptions will work for the illness that you have been diagnosed with.

Currently in Central Florida, you can get the following prescription coupons:

-- Walgreens: $25 gift card with any transferred prescription. Coupon is available online at Walgreens.com or in stores.

-- Target: $10 gift card with any new or transferred prescription. Coupon prints out at main checkout periodically.

-- Kmart: $25 off a $50 grocery or health/beauty purchase when you transfer a prescription. The coupon is available in the pharmacy or at customer service.

Remember, you can email me anytime at Tanya@DivineDealDiva.com if you have a question or comment.