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 Are you concerned about the cost of medication for yourself or someone close to you?
As a physician at Welborn Clinic, in Evansville, Indiana, I spend a lot of my time helping patients manage the cost burden of their medications. My practice is not unusual. It is estimated that at least 13 million Medicare beneficiaries have absolutely no prescription drug coverage. Most of these people have a middle class income. Many of my patients are retired and live on fixed incomes. The cost of medicines for chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and elevated cholesterol, utilize a large fraction of disposable income. New medications to control these illnesses can be tantalizingly available but practically unaffordable. In order to address this problem, I developed this computer application to assist you in managing the cost of your medications. This management tool is based on my office practice and reflects the way I manage the cost of medications for my patients. This web site will provide you with important information on cost comparison of medications. I compare the medicine you are using to similar (class specific) and generic medication (same medication but a different manufacturer). A change to one of these alternatives can frequently provide a large saving! You will also find information about pharmacy discount programs! By answering a few questions you can determine whether you qualify to receive a discount on your medicine through a pharmaceutical manufacturer program. For your convenience, I have included downloadable applications, phone numbers, and web links. Some of the discounts are substantial and can save you a lot of money. The cost saving potential of the program is illustrated by the experience of one of my new patients. He is 66 years old and has high cholesterol as well as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. He was spending $130 per month for his "statin" medication. He and his wife have $18,000 in yearly income. My site provided him with an effective alternative medication that will cost $1 per month. Follow the simple directions at the end of this page to identify potential economical alternatives for your medication. Of course, you must always discuss any change in medication with your doctor to be sure that he/she agrees that the substitute is right for you. If you qualify for a pharmaceutical discount program, download and print out the application, and bring this with you to your next doctor visit. He/she must approve all exchanges and also assist you with completing the medication exchange. I hope you find this web site useful. I suggest you print out the information on the results page and take it with you when you visit your doctor. Working together with your doctor, we can help make the cost of your medication more manageable. Sincerely, Mark W. Graves, MD |
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