If you have to take prescription medication, there is a good chance that the cost of your medication is really putting a damper on your budget. Fortunately, there are often ways that you can slash costs on the medications that you need. These are a few signs that you might be spending more on your prescription medication than you should be.

1. You Don't Have Health Insurance

If you still do not have health insurance, you are probably on the hook 100 percent for all of your medications, along with the cost of seeing your physicians. Even if it seems that you cannot afford health insurance, you might just find that you can save a lot of money by signing up for coverage. When shopping around for health insurance, make sure that you compare both premium pricing and coverage, including prescription medication coverage. The cost savings that you can receive for your medication alone might be enough to make up for the cost of your premiums.

2. You Haven't Had a Discussion with Your Doctor

Many people are too embarrassed to talk to their doctors about their finances and how their medications are affecting their budget. However, your doctor should be willing to help you out if you let him or her know that you cannot afford your prescription medication. Your doctor might be able to tell you about local programs that can help with the cost of coverage, or he or she might be able to give you a prescription for a brand or type of medication that will be more affordable for you.

3. You Go to the Same Pharmacy for All of Your Medications

It might seem to make the most sense — and be the most convenient — to go to one pharmacy for all of your medications. However, prices can vary wildly on different medications between one pharmacy and another. In many cases, it can make sense to have certain prescriptions filled at one pharmacy and others filled at another. Before having prescriptions filled, call around to find out how much your medication will cost. Then, you can get each prescription filled at the most affordable pharmacy.

As you can see, there is a chance that you are spending more on your prescription medication than you should be. If you avoid these three things, however, you might be able to get your medication for a lower cost. For more information, contact local professionals like Taylor Insurance Agencies.