Talk to your health care provider about your medicine costs

Take responsibility for your own health by talking freely with your doctor about your medicines. Remember, you are the one who is taking the medicines. Know what medicines you take and why you take them.
Before your next doctor's appointment

Create a record of all your medications that you can carry with you at all times. Here's a medication chart that you can fill out and share with your doctor. You can also make your own, just be sure to include:
Name of each medicine

Dose or strength of medicine

How frequently you take the medicine

Why you take the medicine

How much you pay for the medicine each month
Bring this record with you to your next doctor's visit. You can put all your prescriptions in a bag and bring them as well.


At the doctor's office

Show your doctor the record you made and mention that you want to talk about the costs of your medications. Ask your doctor how you could pay less for your prescriptions. Perhaps a generic drug could be prescribed instead. If you don't understand something, ask for an explanation. Don't be shy!

Here are some possible questions to ask your doctor:
Am I taking any brand name medicines that might be switched to generics?

Am I taking any medicines that we could stop?

Is there a different medicine that would do the same thing but cost less?

Is there a nurse or social worker that might be able to help me get cheaper medicines?

I am paying $_____ for my prescription medicines each month, and this is too much for me. Can we work together to lower this cost?

Is there anything you can do to make this medicine cost less for me?
More tips for talking with your doctor

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