42 THE QUEENS COURIER • HEALTH • NOVEMBER 7, 2019 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
health
6 questions to ask your healthcare provider
about out-of-pocket medication costs
Even in the privacy of a doctor’s offi ce, many patients
hesitate to discuss one subject - money.
While nearly one in four Americans over the age of 50
feels stressed about their medical bills, only half of those
have spoken to their healthcare provider about it, according
to a University of Michigan poll. But it pays to ask
about the cost of your treatment. Th e same poll found
that two-thirds of patients who talked to their healthcare
provider about drug costs received a recommendation
for a lower-cost alternative.
Speaking with your healthcare provider about treatment
options and out-of-pocket costs should be one of the fi rst
things you do aft er being diagnosed with a chronic illness.
But sometimes it can be hard to know how to start the conversation,
or what questions to ask. As the largest independent
charitable organization dedicated to helping people
pay out-of-pocket costs for their prescribed treatments, the
Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation helps patients
manage the fi nancial burden of care every day. Dan Klein,
President and CEO of the PAN Foundation, suggests asking
your healthcare provider the following questions if you
are concerned about the cost of your medication.
1. Can you or someone in your offi ce
help me fi nd out how much this medication
will cost out-of-pocket?
Although drug prices fl uctuate, and patients pay diff erent
amounts depending on their health insurance, healthcare
providers or their staff can usually provide an estimated
cost for a treatment or can call your pharmacy and fi nd
out. Th is simple question is an easy way to start the cost-ofcare
conversation and let your healthcare provider know
that you want to explore ways to minimize your costs.
2. Does this medication have a generic
equivalent that I can use?
Many brand-name drugs, especially those that have
been on the market for a long time, have generic equivalents
that are signifi cantly cheaper. Th ese generic copies
contain identical active ingredients and are rigorously
tested by the FDA to ensure they are as safe and eff ective
as the brand-name versions.
3. Could a change in dosage or frequency
help reduce my costs, but still be eff ective?
Out-of-pocket costs should not prevent you from accessing
and adhering to your treatment. But controlled changes
to your dosage or frequency may help you lower your costs
without compromising eff ectiveness. It’s crucial that this is
only done under medical advice, as making cost-cutting decisions
without your healthcare provider’s input can be harmful.
4. Is there a less expensive way
to receive my treatment?
Depending on your condition, there may be multiple
ways to receive treatment, some more expensive than
others. For example, oral anti-cancer agents have become
an increasingly common part of cancer treatment plans
but are sometimes more expensive than traditional intravenous
(I.V.) administration. Be sure to ask your healthcare
provider if there is a cheaper treatment option for
you that meets your healthcare needs.
5. Do you have drug coupon discount cards
for my medication, or free samples?
Drug companies oft en give healthcare providers discount
coupons or free samples to dispense to patients.
It can be easy for healthcare providers to forget about
these, so don’t be afraid to ask! Drug manufacturer discount
coupons can only be used by those with commercial
insurance, not by people with Medicare or Medicaid.
6. Can you or someone in your offi ce
help me fi nd fi nancial assistance to
cover my costs? Is there a charitable
foundation that I can apply to?
Charitable foundations, like PAN, can help patients pay
their out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications.
Your healthcare provider’s offi ce should be familiar with
these programs and can point you in the right direction.
You can learn more about patient assistance charities and
connect with resources to help you manage your chronic
illness at panfoundation.org. You can also download the
FundFinder app from that website, which will notify you
when assistance becomes available from any of the major
charitable patient assistance foundations.
Courtesy BPT
/WWW.QNS.COM
/panfoundation.org
