6 Ways to Lower Prescription Drug Costs in 2026

If your medications cost more than they did a few years ago, you are not alone. Rising prescription drug costs continue to affect millions of Americans, including people with Medicare, employer-sponsored insurance, Marketplace coverage, and comprehensive health plans.

The most successful strategy is often combining multiple approaches.

Consumers can potentially lower prescription costs by:

• Comparing pharmacy prices
• Using GoodRx discounts
• Reviewing TrumpRx and government program pricing
• Exploring manufacturer copay assistance
• Evaluating Canadian pharmacy options
• Reviewing Medicare prescription drug coverage annually

No single solution works for everyone. The best approach depends on your medications, insurance coverage, and overall healthcare needs.

1. Compare Pharmacy Prices Before Filling Your Prescription

Prescription prices can differ significantly between pharmacies, even for the same medication.

Comparing pharmacy prices is one of the easiest ways to save money on prescriptions. Many insurance companies have a preferred pharmacy that offers the best price when utilizing your coverage.  Checking multiple pharmacies may uncover lower pricing options that can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

2. Use GoodRx and Other Prescription Discount Programs

One of the most popular tools for prescription drug savings is GoodRx.

GoodRx allows consumers to:

• Search medications quickly
• Compare pharmacy prices
• Access discount coupons
• Use the service free, but obtain additional discounts through membership programs

Many consumers are surprised to learn that the GoodRx price may sometimes be lower than their insurance copay. This is why many healthcare professionals recommend comparing GoodRx vs insurance pricing before filling a prescription.

3. Check Cash Prices Through TrumpRx

TrumpRx provides consumers with another way to compare prescription drug prices and identify potential savings opportunities. The platform offers transparency into discounted pricing for both brand-name and generic medications. Consumers can compare cash prices against their insurance copays and determine which option provides the best value.

As prescription drug costs continue to rise, comparing insurance pricing against cash-pay programs has become an increasingly important strategy for reducing healthcare expenses.

4. Look for Manufacturer Copay Assistance Programs

Some drug manufacturers offer copay savings cards designed to reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients. These programs are more common for newer brand-name medications that do not yet have generic alternatives.

Patients searching for ways to lower prescription costs should always check whether manufacturer assistance is available before paying full price.

5. Review Your Medicare Part D Coverage Every Year

One of the most effective ways to lower prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries is to review Medicare prescription drug coverage annually.

Many people automatically renew their existing plan each year without realizing that formularies, premiums, deductibles, and pharmacy networks frequently change.

Finding the best Medicare Part D plan depends on your specific medications, preferred pharmacies, and healthcare needs. A plan that worked well last year may no longer provide the best value this year.

6. Consider Canadian Pharmacy Pricing

For many brand name medications, Canadian pharmacies may offer substantial savings compared to U.S. retail prices.

Consumers searching for prescription drug savings often compare Canadian pricing for maintenance medications that are taken long term.

We can help identify pricing differences and determine whether international pharmacy options may provide meaningful savings, which can be as high as 80-90% less than the U.S.

The Bottom Line

Healthcare and prescription costs change every year. Regularly reviewing your medications and available savings opportunities can help ensure you’re never paying more than necessary.

Need assistance reviewing your Medicare prescription drug coverage? A licensed health insurance professional can help analyze your medications, compare available plans, and identify opportunities to lower prescription costs both now and in the future.  Please give us a call, we would love to see if we can help!

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What Should You Do If Your Health Insurance Agent Disappears?

One of the most common complaints I hear from consumers is surprisingly simple:

“My agent won’t call me back.”

Maybe you’ve left multiple voicemails. Maybe you’ve sent emails and received no response. Perhaps you’ve been trying for two weeks or more to get an answer to a simple question.

It’s frustrating, especially when you’re dealing with something as important as your health insurance.

The good news is that if your agent disappears, your insurance coverage is still safe. Your policy belongs to you and is backed by the insurance company—not the agent. Your premiums, benefits, and coverage remain in force even if your agent stops returning calls.

Start by Contacting the Agency

If your agent works for an agency, call the main office and ask to speak with a manager.

Explain the situation and let them know you’ve been unable to get a response despite multiple attempts. Most reputable agencies want satisfied clients and will either address the issue or assign another representative to help.

Document Your Communication Attempts

Whenever I suspect someone is avoiding communication, I start documenting everything.

Keep a record of:

• Dates and times of phone calls
• Voicemail messages left
• Emails sent
• Text messages
• Responses received (if any)

Good documentation can be extremely valuable if questions arise later about what was communicated and when.

YOU CAN CHANGE AGENTS

If you’ve lost confidence in your current representative, you can request a new Agent of Record without affecting your coverage, premiums, or benefits. Your policy stays exactly the same.  Many people don’t realize that they are free to change agents.

If you’re considering a change, don’t feel like you’re stuck. A good agent should be willing to review your current coverage, answer your questions, and help you understand your options before asking for your business. The goal is to find someone you trust to be there when you need them.

A new agent can often take over servicing your account and help with:

• Coverage questions
• Claims assistance
• Enrollment issues
• Renewal reviews
• Medicare questions
• Marketplace plan changes

Why This Happens

Unfortunately, not every insurance professional focuses equally on service.

Some organizations place a heavy emphasis on new sales and less emphasis on ongoing client support. Others build their business around long-term relationships and helping clients long after the initial enrollment.

The difference becomes obvious when you need help.

A good agent doesn’t disappear after the application is submitted. They remain available to answer questions, help solve problems, and advocate for their clients when issues arise.

Marketplace and Medicare Members Have Options

If you have an Affordable Care Act Marketplace plan, you can update your information through HealthCare.gov and assign a new agent if needed.

If you have Medicare coverage, you can authorize a new broker to become your representative and help manage your plan going forward.

In both cases, changing agents does not affect your coverage.  The new agent you choose can also have you sign an AOR Form and submit it to the carrier on your behalf.

The Bottom Line

Health insurance can be confusing enough without having to chase down the person who is supposed to be helping you. Over the years, I’ve spoken with many people who reached out only after becoming frustrated with poor communication. In most cases, their biggest concern wasn’t finding a new plan—it was finding someone who would actually answer the phone, explain things clearly, and be available when questions came up. That’s a reasonable expectation, and it’s one every insurance professional should strive to meet.

The best insurance relationships don’t end after enrollment—they begin there.

If you’re currently dealing with an unresponsive agent and simply need answers, don’t hesitate to reach out to a trusted local professional for guidance. Even if you ultimately keep your current coverage, a knowledgeable and responsive advisor can help you understand your options and point you in the right direction.

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