That feeling of sticker shock at the pharmacy counter is something far too many Americans know well. You hand over a prescription, hold your breath, and hope the total doesn’t force you into a difficult choice between your health and your budget.
This anxiety is widespread and justified. Industry reports show that six in ten U.S. adults worry about affording their prescription drugs. Many start by looking for ways to save on medication, hoping a simple discount card will solve the problem. However, for those on Medicare who rely on expensive, brand-name medications, real savings often lie beyond a simple coupon.
Amid the complex pricing and confusing options, some services are built to do more than just offer a discount, they navigate the system for you. These are often called patient advocacy services.
A prominent example is SmartSaveMeds, a program designed for Medicare recipients that focuses on accessing manufacturer-sponsored Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) to drastically reduce, or even eliminate, the cost of brand-name drugs.
