How to get prescriptions when you have no insurance

You can get a prescription without insurance

Most prescription medicines need an order from a licensed health professional, such as a doctor or a nurse practitioner. You do not need insurance for that step. You can see a clinician, pay the visit price yourself, and take the prescription to any pharmacy.

With no regular doctor, you still have a few low-cost places to start. A community health center charges on a sliding scale based on your income. A cash-pay doctor posts a clear price for visits. You can search for a cash-pay doctor near you or read about what it costs to see a doctor without insurance.

This page is general information and not medical advice. In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. Please do not stop or skip a medicine you need because of cost. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first, since they may have a lower-cost choice.

Ask for the generic version

A generic drug is a copy of a brand-name medicine. The FDA is the federal agency that approves medicines. It says a generic must have the same active ingredient and the same strength as the brand. It must also meet the same standards for safety, strength and quality. Generic medicines also tend to cost less than brand-name ones, the FDA says.

Many common medicines are written by their generic names. Amoxicillin and metformin are examples, and so is levothyroxine. A generic name is the plain name of the medicine itself, and a company brand name is a separate thing. According to MedlinePlus, a health site from the National Library of Medicine, metformin is used for type 2 diabetes. Levothyroxine is used when the thyroid gland does not make enough hormone.

At your visit, ask, "Is there a generic for this medicine?" You can also ask whether you still need every medicine on your list. MedlinePlus suggests asking at each visit, since other ways to manage a problem may cost less. For levothyroxine, MedlinePlus says not to switch brands without talking to a doctor or pharmacist. Each brand has a slightly different amount of medicine.

Ask the pharmacist for the cash price

The cash price, also called the self-pay price, is what you pay when you do not use insurance. Different pharmacies often charge different cash prices for the same medicine. We do not list dollar amounts here, because prices change often and we could not find a current government price list for retail pharmacies.

Here is a short way to compare pharmacies.

1. Write down the exact name and strength of the medicine and the number of pills you need.
2. Call two or three pharmacies, and say, "I do not have insurance. What is your cash price for this?"
3. Ask if a 90-day supply costs less per pill than a 30-day supply. MedlinePlus notes that mail-order pharmacies may offer a lower price for a 90-day supply.
4. Ask whether the pharmacy has its own low-cost list of common generics.

Our guide on asking for the cash price has a phone script you can use for any kind of care.

Plan ahead so you do not run out

Running out of a daily medicine is stressful, and it can also cost more if you end up needing a same-day visit. Check your bottle a week or two before it empties, and call your doctor's office then. A refill request can take a day or more to process.

Keep a list of every medicine you take, with its name and how often you take it. Bring the list to each visit, and ask your doctor to look at it with you. You can ask whether any item could be a generic or whether a longer supply would be safe for you. The doctor is the one who decides, and we cannot decide that for you.

A cash-pay doctor may be able to refill a long-term medicine at a routine visit, which helps when the visit is the hard part. You can ask about the visit price over the phone.

Health center pharmacies and 340B pricing

HRSA, a federal health agency, says many community health centers have on-site pharmacies with discounted prescriptions. These centers may take part in the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Under this program, drug makers that take part in Medicaid must sell outpatient medicines at deeply discounted prices to certain safety-net providers, including health centers. The aim is to help those providers stretch limited funds and reach more patients.

Each center decides how it passes those savings along, so ask. A good question is, "Do you have a pharmacy, and what would I pay for this medicine on your sliding scale?" Our guide on community health centers shows how to find one and what to bring.

Drug company help programs

Some drug makers run patient assistance programs, according to MedlinePlus. These programs may offer discount cards or free or low-cost medicines, depending on your income and health needs. The federal site USA.gov suggests you contact the maker of your medicine and ask about low-cost options, samples or discounts.

These programs are usually for brand-name medicines, and each has its own rules and forms. Your doctor's office or a health center social worker can often help you fill them out. If a generic is available, it is usually the simpler path.

Buying medicine safely

Low prices are good, but safety comes first. MedlinePlus advises buying medicines only from a licensed US pharmacy, and it warns that medicines from other countries may have unknown quality and safety. It also says that not everything on the internet is safe. Be careful with any website that offers a prescription medicine without asking for a prescription.

Tell your clinician or pharmacist if cost keeps you from filling a prescription. They hear this often and may know of a plan that fits. For more help, read our guide on care without insurance.