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Prescription medicine can take a big bite out of a family’s budget. Sometimes the price is so high that people feel like they have no good choices.
I remember my grandfather trying to make his medicine last longer by skipping doses or cutting pills in half. I have also watched family members go without EpiPens because they simply could not afford them.
When my children were little, our pediatrician kept a closet filled with basic medicines, including Tylenol and ibuprofen, for parents who needed help. There have also been times when my own doctor gave me medication samples because I could not afford a prescription.
Not every doctor has samples, and assistance will not be available for every medicine. However, there are still several things you can try before deciding that a prescription is simply too expensive.
Please do not skip doses, split pills, change how you take a medication, or stop taking it without speaking with your doctor or pharmacist. Some pills should never be split, and changing your dosage could be dangerous.
The programs and resources in this article were checked in September 2026. Prices, eligibility requirements, and assistance programs can change, so please verify the current information before filling a prescription.
Tell Your Doctor When You Cannot Afford a Prescription
Please do not be embarrassed to tell your doctor that cost is a problem. Your doctor cannot help with something they do not know about.
Before leaving the office, ask:
- Is there a generic version?
- Is there a less expensive medicine that treats the same condition?
- Do you have any samples available?
- Does the manufacturer offer a coupon or assistance program?
- Would a 90-day prescription cost less?
- Does my insurance require special approval for this medicine?
Doctors do not always know what your exact cost will be at the pharmacy. If the prescription is too expensive when you try to fill it, call the doctor’s office and explain what happened. Ask whether there is another safe option.
Ask About Generic Medicine
Generic medicine often costs less than the brand-name version. According to the FDA, an approved generic has the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, and expected clinical benefit as the brand-name medicine.
You can learn more from the FDA’s information about generic drugs.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether a generic is available and appropriate for you. Never substitute one medicine for another without medical guidance.
Compare Prices Before You Pay
Prescription prices can vary more than you might expect. The same medicine may have different prices at different pharmacies, and your insurance copay is not always the lowest price.
Ask the pharmacist to compare:
- Your insurance price
- The pharmacy’s regular cash price
- A prescription-discount price
- The cost of a 30-day supply
- The cost of a 90-day supply, if your doctor approves it
A prescription discount card is not insurance. You generally cannot combine it with your insurance, and the amount you pay may not count toward your insurance deductible or annual out-of-pocket limit.
Because traveling between pharmacies costs time and gas—especially here in Northern New York—compare prices online or by phone before transferring a prescription. Always make sure you are comparing the same medicine, dosage, form, and quantity.
Prescription-Price Tools to Check
The following tools were available when this article was checked in September 2026:
- Kinney Drugs Rx Savings Finder lets you compare available discount prices at Kinney Drugs.
- GoodRx provides prescription prices and coupons for participating pharmacies.
- RxSaver is another tool for comparing prescription prices.
- AARP Prescription Discounts is available to anyone, although AARP members may receive additional benefits.
- Walmart’s prescription program offers reduced cash prices on certain generic medicines, strengths, and quantities.
Search using your exact prescription information. Prices can change, so show the offer to your pharmacist and ask them to confirm the final price before filling your prescription.
You do not have to sign up for every discount service. Check two or three options, compare them with your insurance, and use the one that gives you the best legitimate price.
Check for Manufacturer Coupons
Some drug manufacturers offer coupons or copay savings cards for brand-name medicines. Search the medicine’s official manufacturer website or ask your doctor or pharmacist whether a current coupon is available.
Before using a manufacturer coupon, check:
- Who qualifies
- How much it may save
- Whether there is a maximum benefit
- How many refills it covers
- When it expires
These coupons are generally intended for people with qualifying commercial insurance, such as insurance through an employer or a private plan. People covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or another government insurance program usually cannot use them.
Manufacturer coupons also cannot normally be combined with insurance alternatives such as GoodRx. Ask your pharmacist to compare your options.
Never rely on an old coupon shared on social media. Use the manufacturer’s official website and read the current terms.
Ask About Patient Assistance Programs
Manufacturer coupons and patient assistance programs are not the same thing.
A coupon usually reduces the amount an eligible person pays at the pharmacy. A patient assistance program may help qualifying people who are uninsured, underinsured, or unable to afford a particular medicine.
Eligibility rules are different for every program. You may be asked about your income, insurance coverage, household size, and prescription expenses.
Ask your doctor, pharmacist, or the medicine’s manufacturer:
- Does this medicine have an official assistance program?
- Do I qualify?
- What paperwork is required?
- Does my doctor need to complete part of the application?
- How long does approval take?
- How will I receive the medicine?
- Will I need to reapply?
Depending on the medicine and your circumstances, a manufacturer may also offer a reduced cash price, temporary bridge supply, or another form of assistance.
Walgreens provides a helpful explanation of manufacturer coupons and Patient Assistance Programs. This information does not mean Walgreens itself will provide your medicine for free.
Use the manufacturer’s official website or a trusted healthcare organization. Be careful with companies that promise guaranteed approval or charge a large fee to complete an application.
Look for Help With EpiPen Costs
Epinephrine auto-injectors are lifesaving, but the cost can be overwhelming. I know firsthand how frightening it is when someone needs an EpiPen but cannot afford one.
The official EpiPen Access and Savings Programs page lists current assistance options. Viatris also operates a Patient Assistance Program for certain eligible patients who demonstrate financial need.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist about:
- An authorized generic
- Other FDA-approved epinephrine auto-injectors
- Your insurance requirements
- Current manufacturer assistance
- Cash and prescription-discount prices
Eligibility and savings will depend on your circumstances. Start checking your options before your current auto-injector expires.
Learn How Your Insurance Covers Prescriptions
If you have prescription insurance, check the plan’s formulary. A formulary is simply the list of medicines covered by your insurance.
Insurance companies often place medicines into different pricing levels, called tiers. A similar medicine on a lower tier may cost less.
Ask your insurance company:
- Is this medicine covered?
- What will my copay be?
- Is a generic or lower-cost alternative covered?
- Do I need to use a preferred pharmacy?
- Does the prescription require prior authorization?
- Would a 90-day supply cost less?
- Is mail order less expensive?
Prior authorization means your doctor must provide additional information before the insurance company decides whether it will cover the medicine.
If a Medicare plan does not cover a needed medicine—or places it on an expensive tier—you and your doctor may be able to request a coverage or tiering exception.
Review Your Medicines Regularly
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review all your medications periodically. This is especially helpful if you see more than one doctor.
The review may uncover:
- Duplicate medicines
- Prescriptions you no longer need
- A brand-name medicine with a generic version
- A less expensive alternative
- A dosage or quantity that needs to be updated
Do not stop taking anything on your own. The purpose of the review is to make sure every medicine is still necessary, safe, and affordable.
Prescription Help for New York Residents
Medicare Extra Help
The federal Extra Help program helps qualifying people with limited income and resources pay certain Medicare Part D costs.
Income and resource limits can change. Visit Social Security’s official website to check the current requirements and apply.
New York EPIC
The Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage program helps eligible New York residents age 65 and older supplement their Medicare Part D coverage.
Applicants must meet current age, residency, income, and Medicare requirements. Call EPIC at 1-800-332-3742 for help.
St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging
The St. Lawrence County Office for the Aging provides Medicare counseling through HIICAP.
A counselor can help you understand Medicare drug plans, medical bills, and programs that may reduce your costs. Call 315-386-4730 for current information or to ask about an appointment.
Prescription Help for Veterans
Veterans who are enrolled in VA health care may be able to receive their prescriptions through a VA pharmacy. Some veterans receive prescriptions without a copay, including medicine provided for a condition the VA determines is connected to their military service. Other veterans may pay a copay based on the medicine, their VA priority group, disability rating, income, and other circumstances.
If you are a veteran but are not enrolled, visit the official VA health care eligibility page to find out whether you qualify and how to apply.
Veterans already receiving VA health care can use the VA’s online service to request refills, track prescriptions, and review their medications.
Ask your VA healthcare team:
- Can this prescription be filled through the VA?
- Will I have a copay?
- Is a lower-cost medicine available through the VA?
- Can my refills be mailed to my home?
- Can a prescription from an approved community provider be filled by the VA?
VA eligibility and prescription costs are different for every veteran. Check your individual benefits before paying the retail price at another pharmacy.
NYRx for Medicaid Members
New York Medicaid members receive pharmacy benefits through NYRx.
Members with questions about prescription coverage can call the New York State Medicaid Helpline at 1-800-541-2831.
Ask About Refills and Delivery
If you take several ongoing medications, ask your pharmacy about refill synchronization. This means arranging your recurring prescriptions so they can be picked up around the same time each month.
This may reduce extra trips to the pharmacy. Some pharmacies also offer prescription delivery, but availability, delivery areas, and fees vary.
Ask before signing up:
- Is there a delivery fee?
- Does my address qualify?
- Can all my medicines be delivered?
- How far in advance should I request a refill?
- Can my recurring prescriptions be filled on the same day?
Convenience does not always mean a lower prescription price, but saving trips can make a real difference for Northern New York families.
A Simple Prescription Savings Checklist
Before paying for an expensive prescription:
- Tell your doctor that cost is a concern.
- Ask about a generic or less expensive alternative.
- Ask whether a sample is available.
- Check your insurance coverage and preferred pharmacies.
- Compare your insurance, cash, and discount prices.
- Check more than one pharmacy before transferring the prescription.
- Look for a current coupon on the manufacturer’s official website.
- Ask about an official patient assistance program.
- Explore Extra Help, EPIC, NYRx, or local Medicare counseling if they apply to you.
- Confirm the final price with the pharmacist.
- Never ration or change your medicine without medical guidance.
Prescription costs can be confusing, and asking for help may feel uncomfortable. Please remember that you are not the only person facing this problem.
Start by being honest with your doctor and pharmacist. Ask questions, compare your choices, and keep looking until you understand your options. One simple question may lead you to a safer and more affordable way to get the medicine you need.
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