Doctor Asks on How to Make Patients Save Money
One doctor inquired about how he/she can make patients spend less on prescription drugs and got a good answer.
Here’s the question:
As a physician, I want to offer my perspective on the “sticker shock” problem in the pharmacy. I am very conscious of the fact that my patients may not be able to afford medications I prescribe.
Almost all medications have alternatives, and I wish I knew which would be cheapest when I am writing the prescription. Patients with drug coverage could save a lot of time and money if they brought the list of drugs covered by their insurance to every doctor visit.
I also want to know how much patients pay for drugs. I wish they would call the office if the prescription is too expensive! Most of the time, I’d be able to identify a cheaper alternative to prescribe.
And the answer:
We appreciate your thoughtful approach. A recent study showed that many doctors don’t discuss the cost of prescriptions with their patients (American Journal of Managed Care, November 2006). If more patients brought their insurance company’s drug list to their office visits, it would facilitate these discussions.
The answer is from Joe Graedon, a pharmacologist and Teresa Graedon, a medical anthropologist and nutrition expert.
If you have similar questions, e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.
More of health and budget saving Q and A’s from Bradenton Herald.
image from johnstonmemorial.org
Tags: q-and-a, save+money+prescription, save-money-on-medicine
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