Affordable Prescription Medications: Navigating Healthcare Costs in the US

How can you find affordable prescription medications in the US? In this episode of the YMyHealth Podcast, Co-Host Melissa Schenkman is joined by pharmacist Dr. Alexandria Yarborough to explain common medication and insurance terms, payment options, and practical steps for navigating prescription costs and accessing medication. Explore how to make informed choices when paying for prescriptions and better understand the healthcare system. This conversation focuses on patient care and actionable guidance for people seeking more affordable medication.

What you’ll learn

• Key terms used when navigating prescription medication costs
• Payment options that may help make prescriptions more affordable
• Practical steps for accessing medication in the US

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Highlights: 

• (00:00) Introduction to navigating healthcare costs for prescriptions
• (01:16) The impact of medication costs on health and affordability
• (03:48) Understanding the landscape of prescription access in the US
• (06:05) Key terms: brand, generic, premium, deductible, and coverage
• (10:04) Main ways to pay for prescriptions: cash, insurance, and discounts
• (16:11) How pharmacy discount programs and coupons work
• (19:33) Why prescriptions can still be expensive despite insurance
• (22:40) When to use insurance versus discount options
• (27:48) Effectiveness and cost differences between brand and generic drugs
• (33:44) Getting affordable prescriptions without insurance
• (37:38) Steps to take at the doctor's office for cost savings
• (41:04) Key takeaway: advocate and prepare to save money
  
  

Links:

Are you a millennial interested in learning more about healthcare issues specifically related to your generation? Start here: https://www.ymyhealth.com/ and follow us on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/ymyhealth_/

**More about this episode's guest: Alexandria Yarborough, PharmD,  is a Community Pharmacist and Pharmacist in Charge at Sam’s Club in South Carolina. She has almost a decade of experience in the field of pharmacy. She was diagnosed with POTS and has become an advocate for the condition that affects so many in the US, including many in Generation Y.
**Check out her Pharmacist's Glossary for Health Insurance and Prescription Med Terms: https://www.ymyhealth.com/blog/prescription-medication-and-insurance-terms-explained

Interested in sponsoring the YMyHealth podcast? We'd love to partner with brands and organizations that align with our mission of providing healthcare education to millennials. Contact us at [e-mail] for sponsorship opportunities.

**Thank You to Our Sponsors**
Dr. Sarah Diekman, Director of Diekman Dysautonomia! If you’d like to learn more about our sponsor and her practice that provides care to patients with POTS and Long COVID, go to https://dysautonomiaexpert.com

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What is The YMyHealth Podcast | Wellness and Healthcare Insights for Millennials?

A podcast by millennials, for millennials, covering health challenges unique to Gen Y. Get expert insights, practical patient advice, and inspiring survivor stories to help you make informed healthcare choices. Empower your journey with YMyHealth!