Did you know that although your medication may be generic, your Part D drug plan may not tier it that way. They may tier it as a higher priced brand medication bumping your copay up to $35 or more per month. There's also a chance they may not cover the medication – like cough syrup w/codeine for example. If you run into this when you go to pick up your medication, what do you do? Wait, did you say that you should just pay for it because you need it. BONK… wrong answer.
Check Cash Prices and Discount Cards First
First, ask the pharmacist what the cash price is or if they have a discount card that you might be able to use to bring down the price. If those prices aren't that palatable to you, or if they aren't all that willing to help you, grab your electronic leash… you know, your cell phone, and pull up GoodRx or SingleCare, or both and check the pricing on that medication using one of their discount cards. If it's good, simply show the card to the pharmacist and voila you have saved some money.
Look for Manufacturer Patient Assistance Programs
Maybe you have been prescribed a new expensive brand medication and when you went to fill it, you got sticker shock and felt faint. If that's the case and you need the medication, but it is just too expensive, check out the manufacturer's website for a patient assistance program. Don't grab the copay card off the website for the drug, because once you are on Medicare, you can't use them anymore. Find out who makes the drug (Abbvie, NovoNordisk, etc.) and go to their site and look for a patient assistance program. There may be certain income and eligibility requirements you must meet in order to qualify but if you do, the medication is provided to you at NO COST. There are usually screening tools online to see if you qualify before you apply. Need help finding a program? Contact us for assistance with locating patient assistance programs.
Another option would be to ask your doctor if there are any grant programs that may help or if there is a lower cost (possibly generic) alternative to what was prescribed and if not, ask him to give you samples – they get them for free from the reps that come in to peddle the latest and greatest medications. Hope these suggestions help!
By American Retirement Advisors
American Retirement Advisors helps retirees and pre-retirees navigate Medicare, estate planning, and retirement income — so you can enjoy the retirement you've earned.
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Easy Eddie's Take
This is absolutely right about those Medicare Part D plan quirks. Here's something most people don't know: even in 2026, your Part D plan can place generic drugs in higher cost-sharing tiers, which is why you might pay $35 or more for what should be an inexpensive generic medication. The good news is that Medicare's prescription drug coverage gap (the "donut hole") continues to shrink, but you still want to minimize those out-of-pocket costs whenever possible.
One question I get all the time is "Can I use manufacturer coupons if I'm on Medicare?" The answer is no for Part D covered drugs, but yes for non-covered medications. That's where those patient assistance programs from companies like Pfizer, Merck, and Johnson & Johnson become really valuable. Many people are surprised to learn that these programs often have income limits up to $58,000 for individuals or $78,000 for couples, so more people qualify than you might think.
A little preparation and a few phone calls can save you hundreds of dollars on your medications each year.