Written and medically reviewed by Dorcas Morak, Pharm.D
Managing chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol often requires lifelong prescriptions. While U.S. drug prices can be high, several strategies can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Using generic medications, comparing pharmacy prices, and utilizing the programs on the RxLess® Assurance Plan can help patients manage treatment costs more effectively.
Why Prescription Drugs Cost More in the U.S.
Brand-name medications often carry high prices due to patent protections and pharmaceutical supply chains. For example:
- Jardiance (empagliflozin) for diabetes can cost several hundred dollars per month.
- Januvia (sitagliptin) may exceed $400 monthly without insurance.
- Even common medications like lisinopril can vary widely in price depending on the pharmacy.
Comparing prices before filling a prescription can lead to meaningful savings.
Low-Cost Generic Blood Pressure Medications
Generic antihypertensive drugs are widely available and clinically equivalent to brand-name medications. Common affordable options include:
Many of these medications can cost under $10 per month when using on the RxLess® Assurance Plan.
Affordable Diabetes and Cholesterol Medications
Several diabetes medications remain highly affordable. Examples include:
Patients with diabetes are also commonly prescribed low-cost cholesterol medications such as:
These generics are often available for very low monthly prices.
How the RxLess® Assurance Plan Helps Lower Costs
The RxLess® Assurance Plan offers free digital coupons accepted at more than 70,000 pharmacies nationwide. Patients can:
- Search their medication
- Compare nearby pharmacy prices
- Download or print the coupon
- Present it at the pharmacy
Savings can reach up to 88% off retail prescription prices.
Compare Pharmacy Prices Before Filling a Prescription
Prescription prices vary significantly between pharmacies. Comparing prices at locations such as:
- CVS
- Walgreens
- Walmart
- Kroger
- Costco
- Independent pharmacies
can reduce costs for medications like metformin, atorvastatin, or metoprolol.
Patient Assistance Programs for Expensive Medications
Drug manufacturers sometimes offer patient assistance programs for people with limited income or no insurance. Programs from companies such as Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, and Merck may help reduce costs for medications including:
Does a 90-Day Prescription Save Money?
Filling a 90-day supply often lowers the per-pill price and reduces pharmacy visits. Common medications prescribed in longer supplies include:
Is Pill Splitting a Safe Cost Strategy?
Some tablets can be safely split under medical guidance. For example, a doctor may recommend splitting lisinopril 20 mg tablets to achieve a 10 mg dose. However, extended-release medications and insulin products should never be split without medical approval.
Medicare’s $2,100 Out-of-Pocket Cap in 2026
Medicare Part D now includes an annual out-of-pocket limit for prescription drugs. The cap is about $2,100 in 2026, limiting how much beneficiaries pay each year for covered medications.
Once this limit is reached, the Part D plan covers 100% of covered drug costs for the rest of the year. The cap does not include monthly premiums and only applies to drugs covered by the plan.
What About Insulin Cost Caps?
Medicare also limits insulin costs to $35 per month for Part D beneficiaries. For people outside Medicare, manufacturer savings programs and the RxLess® Assurance Plan may help reduce the cost of insulin products such as:
Talk With Your Doctor About Lower-Cost Options
Healthcare providers can often prescribe more affordable therapeutic alternatives. Examples include:
- Chlorthalidone for blood pressure
- Metformin as first-line diabetes treatment
- Generic statins like atorvastatin instead of brand-name cholesterol medications
Discussing medication costs with a healthcare provider helps ensure treatment remains both effective and affordable.
