One 2020 study found that people with heart failure spend an average median cost of over $24,300 every year. This may stem from needing multiple medications, visiting the doctor frequently, and hospitalizations. In fact, the study found that over half of the annual costs (nearly $16,000) comes from hospitalizations.
The good news is that sticking to your heart failure medications may reduce your risk of health emergencies that lead to hospitalization. When you can find ways to save money on those medications, you may be able to lower your heart failure costs even more.
“It’s important for [your doctors] to know if [cost] is a concern for you, because we can definitely find ways to work with you to try and make the medications more affordable,” says Michelle Bloom, MD, Cardiologist at Stony Brook University Hospital.
What are ways to save money on my heart failure medications?
1. Your doctor can prescribe generic versions of medications when possible
For FDA approval, generic medications have to meet the same high standards as branded medications. When there are multiple generic versions of a medication available, prices may drop around 85 percent.
Sometimes, there is no generic version of the medication your doctor wants to prescribe. One possible option is to prescribe a different (but similar) medication of the same class if there’s a generic available.
2. You may be able to save money through a patient assistance program
In some cases, you may find that the best medication for you is a branded option that doesn’t have a generic version. You may find one brand-name medication significantly improves your quality of life and reduces your risk of complications compared to other options.
You may still be able to save money on this medication. One option is a patient assistance program. Medication brands offer these programs to people who meet certain criteria. If you qualify, you may be able to access the medication for a lower cost — or even free.
3. Check out resources that offer coupons and discounts — including GoodRx
GoodRx coupons may lower the cost of both generic and brand-name medications. These prices may even be lower than what you’d pay with insurance.
4. Try getting your prescription through a mail-order pharmacy
Getting your medication through a mail-order pharmacy can sometimes (not always) save you money. It depends on the medication. It’s a good idea to compare the prices with what’s at your local pharmacy.
There are also online pharmacies, but be cautious when using these. Avoid online pharmacies that have inefficient privacy policies or claim to fill medications without a doctor prescription.
5. Ask for a 90-day supply of a medication instead of a 30-day supply
A bigger bag of rice at the grocery store usually costs less per ounce than a small package of rice. Similarly, a 90-day supply of medication usually costs less per dose than a 30-day supply.
Asking for a 90-day supply of a medication may help you save money if it’s a medication that you will be taking long term. Plus, it can reduce the number of trips you need to make to the pharmacy.
Why is it important to talk to my doctor if I’m having trouble affording my medications?
If the cost of your medications is preventing you from sticking to your treatment plan, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor. Missing or skipping doses may worsen the progression of heart failure and increase your risk of complications.
“We want to make sure that you can take your medications regularly and not skip doses to avoid things like unnecessary hospitalization — or worse,” says Dr. Bloom. “What we’d like to do is work with you to try to figure out creative ways that we can help you pay for the medications that you need to take.”
Dr. Bloom is a Cardiologist, an Associate Professor of Medicine at Stony Brook University Medical Center, a fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the Heart Failure Society of America.
References
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2024). Pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance program information.
Hong, M., et al. (2021). Comparison of discounted and undiscounted cash prices for cardiovascular medications by type of US community pharmacy. Journal of General Internal Medicine.
MedlinePlus. (2023). Getting a prescription filled.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022). Heart failure treatment.
Urbich, M., et al. (2020). A systematic review of medical costs associated with heart failure in the USA (2014-2020). PharmacoEconomics.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration. (2021). Generic drug facts.
Wu, J-R., et al. (2018). Medication adherence mediates the relationship between heart failure symptoms and cardiac event-free survival in patients with heart failure. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.
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