Patient Savings Ideas

1- Time savings
…..a) Trips to Pharmacy –
……….i) Order refills 5 days early
……….ii) Go to pharmacy in the off hours not the busy hours
……….iii) Ask if pharmacy has free delivery
……….iv) Ask pharmacy to call MD to get new RX as early as possible
…..b) Ordering
……….i) Auto refills
……….ii) Asks the pharmacy to get refill OKs from the MD for you
……….iii) Write order date in calendar when you pick up your medicine
……….iv) Ask MD to fax new RX to your pharmacy
2- Dollar savings
…..a) Switch to Generic
…..b) Switch to less expensive generic (i.e. Levothroid to Levothyroxine)
…..c) Pill splitting
…..d) Buy discounted category of drugs
…..e) Ask your pharmacy if they will match prices
3- Good Medicine
…..a) Ask the MD when Patient needs next blood test due to meds and make appt
…..b) Ask when MD needs to see patient re-next MD appointment
…..c) Ask MD what are the side effects and what to do about them/or reduce them
…..d) Ask Pharmacist what are the side effects and what to do about them/or reduce them
…..e) Educate
……….i) Look up drug on the internet and become familiar with dosages, side effects, effects, etc
……….ii) Read about condition and/or drug
……….iii) Know the symptoms of common recurring diseases like cold vs flu
…..f) Take steps to reduce condition
……….i) Specific Steps
……………1) Dry skin- use moisturizer, take <5 min showers
……………2) Diabetes- monitor protein and sugar intake
……………3) Overweight – gym, walk, etc
……………4) Diabetes- blood tests
……………5) Asthmatics use Aero Chamber
……….ii) Call MD as soon as possible when conditions worsen
……….iii) Wash Hands-
……………1) sneeze in sleeve
……………2) Avoid crowds
……………3) Use hand cleanser
……….iv) Take medicine as prescribed
…..g) Take steps to reduce side effects
……….i) If makes sleepy take at night
……….ii) If increases appetite- monitor intake or diet