Save Money on Generic Drugs for High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol at Walmart

If you take generic drugs to manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or other cardiovascular-related conditions, you may be able to save money by paying out of pocket at Walmart instead of using your Medicare prescription copay. According to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, Walmart and other large chain stores offer generic drug discount plans that can be more cost-effective than Medicare prescription drug plans.

Walmart's Generic Drug Discount Plan

Walmart offers a generic drug discount plan that allows customers to purchase 30-day supplies of popular generic drugs for just $4. This plan covers a wide range of medications used to treat various cardiovascular-related problems, including:

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol

• Diabetes

• Heart disease

• Heart failure

• Atrial fibrillation

• Stroke

Comparing Costs: Medicare Copays vs. Walmart's Discount Plan

Researchers compared the cost to patients for 27 common generic drugs on Walmart's discount plan and more than 2,100 Medicare prescription drug plans (about 70% of them Medicare Advantage plans). They found that approximately 20% of Medicare plans required people to spend more in copays than if they bought the drugs without using insurance at Walmart.

The Gag Rule: Pharmacists May Not Tell You About Cheaper Options

Although laws are changing, some states still have a "gag rule" that prohibits pharmacists from informing patients if a drug would be cheaper if they paid for it out of pocket instead of using their insurance. As a result, it's important for consumers to actively seek out the best drug prices.

How to Find the Best Prices on Generic Drugs

To ensure you're getting the best deal on your generic medications, consider the following tips:

• Compare prices at different pharmacies, including large chain stores like Walmart, Costco, and Walgreens

• Ask your pharmacist if paying out of pocket would be cheaper than using your insurance copay

• Check if your medication is covered by a generic drug discount plan

• Use online tools like GoodRx to compare prices and find coupons

By taking the time to research your options, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars each year on your generic medications for cardiovascular conditions. Don't assume that using your Medicare prescription copay is always the most cost-effective choice – in some cases, paying out of pocket at Walmart or another discount pharmacy may be the better option.

For more information on saving money on prescription drugs, visit:

• AARP: 10 Ways to Save on Prescription Drugs

• Consumer Reports Best Buy Drugs

• FDA: Generic Drug Facts