Imagine a typical American household — a family juggling busy lives, school, work, and everything in between. For many of these families, a trip to the pharmacy is a regular part of life. In fact, across the United States, nearly 60% of adults rely on at least one prescription medication, and 18% of children under the age of 11 and 27% of teens take prescription drugs on a monthly basis.
When you add it all up, it’s clear that keeping up with prescription medications is an essential part of the routine for countless families. While crucial for health, this need can quickly become a heavy financial burden, depending on the types of medications required and the extent of insurance coverage available.
Fortunately, there are solutions. As Matthew Herfield, Co-Founder and CEO of BuzzRx, a free prescription savings service, explained during a recent conversation, BuzzRx can provide much-needed relief for individuals and families.
1. Direct discounts on prescription drugs
The most immediately obvious way that BuzzRx can save families money is through the direct discounts it provides on prescription drugs at over 60,000 pharmacies across the country.
“Through prescription coupons and discounts that are applied directly at the pharmacy, our customers save an average of 75% off their prescriptions,” Herfield says. “The exact amount tends to be less for brand name drugs, but generic drugs are often as much as 90% off. Our customers who fill one prescription or more per month save an average of $1,100 per year. For families with multiple individuals who need prescriptions, those kinds of savings can really add up.”
BuzzRx customers can access their savings by presenting their card, coupons or the app at their pharmacy. The discount will be applied automatically so that the cardholder only needs to pay the discounted amount.
2. Simplified price comparisons
Price comparisons are another point of emphasis for Herfield.
“The discounted prices for prescription drugs can vary between pharmacies, sometimes by quite a lot,” he explains. “Shopping around to find the best price for your medications can lead to even more savings, which is why we make it easy to search for your prescriptions through our website and app. Search results will show instant price comparisons at participating pharmacies in your area. Just by taking that extra step, BuzzRx can help you find the lowest prices so you can get the best possible savings.”
The difference in discounted prices can vary based on the pharmacy chain, your physical location and other factors. For example, a sample search for Adderall® in Northern Virginia found discounted prices ranging from $27.58 at Safeway to $58.06 at Rite Aid (compared to estimated retail prices of $88.99 to $129.99). For the allergy medicine Mucinex D®, prices ranged from $14.74 at Publix to $26.10 at Walmart.
3. Use alongside insurance
As a prescription discount program, BuzzRx isn’t a replacement for insurance. However, it can be used by both insured and uninsured households to lower the prices of prescription medication. Herfield sees using BuzzRx as a worthwhile option for families, even if they already have insurance.
“It’s important that you understand your copay amounts for the different prescription medications your family uses,” he says. “Most insurers divide prescriptions into different tiers, with more expensive copays for higher level tiers. In addition, some medications may not be included in their formulary, meaning they won’t cover that drug. When filling your prescription, you can ask the pharmacy technician to compare your insurance price to the discounted BuzzRx price and then use whichever option would be cheaper.”
BuzzRx does not have any prerequisites, such as insurance status or income requirements, to obtain a discount card or coupon.
4. Discounts on vaccines
A sometimes overlooked element of BuzzRx is that it can also be used to save on many essential vaccines. “If you don’t have insurance, getting required vaccines for you and your family members can become extremely costly, as much as several hundred dollars for each vaccination,” Herfield notes.
BuzzRx also offers discounts on some diabetic supplies, over-the-counter medications, and even vitamins with a doctor’s prescription. For ease of use, families can obtain BuzzRx discount cards for each adult in the household or get a single prescription card that can be used for all of the family’s prescription needs, including pets.
Meaningful savings on essential care
Only 47% of adults under 50 can “readily afford healthcare,” meaning families often struggle the most to afford prescriptions and other health services. The financial strain can cause household members to skip prescription refills or make sacrifices that harm their own health in an effort to care for their children’s health needs.
Healthcare needs such as prescription drugs and vaccines are essential for maintaining a family’s health and well-being. While financial issues can sometimes make it challenging for families to remain compliant with their prescriptions, resources like BuzzRx can make costs more manageable and ensure that everyone receives needed care.
The editorial staff had no role in this post's creation.