Page 20 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 8, 2023 by Jim Miller How Seniors Can Save on Prescription Drug Costs Dear Savvy Senior, I take several medications for multiple health conditions and the prices keep going up, even with my Medicare prescription drug insurance. Can you recommend any tips that can help cut my costs? Tapped Out Tina Dear Tina, The high cost of prescription drugs is an ongoing problem that stings everyone, but it usually aff ects seniors more because they have a greater need for medications and because Medicare doesn’t cover all their drug costs. While the Infl ation Reduction Act, that was signed into law last year, will help seniors save on their medications by negotiating lower drug prices and caping out-of-pocket spending at $2,000, it will be a few years before the law is fully enacted. In the meantime, here are some diff erent strategies that can help reduce your costs so you can aff ord what you need. Talk to your doctor: A good fi rst step is to review your medications once a year with your doctor to fi nd out if any of them can be stopped or reduced. If you’re taking any brand-name drugs check to see if they are available in a cheaper generic form. Also, for any drugs you’re taking long-term ask your doctor for a cheaper three or six-month prescription, versus a one month. And fi nd out if any of the pills you’re taking can be cut in half. Pill splitting allows you to get two months’ worth of medicine for the price of one. If you do this, you’ll need to get a prescription for twice the dosage you need. Review your insurance: Carefully review your drug coverage during the open enrollment period, which runs Oct. 15 — Dec. 7 for Medicare benefi ciaries. Make sure all your regular medications are covered in the plan’s formulary; that your current pharmacy is in the plan’s network; and that your plan covers additional medication coverage in the gap. To shop and compare Medicare prescription drug plans go to Medicare.gov/plan-compare. Pay cash: Not using insurance for prescriptions seems counterintuitive, but in some cases, it may save you money. For example, many chain pharmacies and big-box stores like Walmart and Costco have their own prescription savings programs that may be lower than your insurance copayment. Or you can use coupons through GoodRx.com or RxSaver.com that can save you up to 80 percent off the list price of generic and some brand-name drugs in certain pharmacies. Shop online: You can also save on regularly used medications by having them sent to you from a mail-order pharmacy. Check with your health insurer or regular pharmacy to see whether it will get you a better deal. If not, check online pharmacies like CostPlusDrugs.com or HoneybeeHealth. com. With these, you may spend less in some cases than you might with insurance. Buy from Canada: Because prescription drugs are often much cheaper north of the border, many Americans have chosen this option for years. While this is technically illegal in most states, the Food and Drug Administration generally does not stop people from doing it. If you want to explore this option use PharmacyChecker.com, an online tool that will help you identify reputable Canadian and international online pharmacies. Get more help: If your income is limited, you may also be able to get help through Medicare’s Extra Help program (Medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/drug-costs), your state pharmaceutical assistance program (Medicare.gov/plan-compare/#/pharmaceutical-assistance-program/states) or patient assistance programs (Medicare.gov/pharmaceutical-assistance-program). Visit each website to see if you’re eligible and to apply. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. Upcoming Welcoming Week at Malden Public Library (Sept. 8-17) J oin us at the Malden Public Library for Welcoming Week on September 8-17, 2023. Celebrated in communities around the globe, Welcoming Week is an annual campaign that connects neighbors of all backgrounds through community-informed activities and events. Welcoming Week provides communities the opportunity to pub- LEGAL NOTICE - City of Malden Massachusetts Board of Appeal 215 Pleasant Street Malden, Massachusetts 02148 Telephone 781-397-7000 x2103 MALDEN BOARD OF APPEAL PUBLIC HEARING The Malden Board of Appeal will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 6:30 pm at Malden City Hall, 215 Pleasant St, Room #106 Herbert L Jackson Council Chambers, Malden, MA on Petition 23-007 by 100 Maplewood Street LLC seeking variances under Code of the City of Malden as amended – Title 12 Section 12.20.010 Retail Sale and Services and Section 12.20.030 (E) General Loading Requirements – number of Bays or Areas Required per Plans CMID-028536-2019 at the property known as and numbered 888 Eastern Ave. Malden, MA formerly known as 100 Maplewood St., Malden, MA and also known by City Assessor’s Parcel ID #127-433-302 Additional information, Petition & plans available for public review in the Office of Inspectional Services, 215 Pleasant www.cityofmalden.org or https:/elsie Alenandre/maldenma-energovweb.tylerhost. net/apps/SelfService#/home Nathaniel Cramer, Chair September 1, 8, 2023 ~ Legal Notice ~ PUBLIC NOTICE https://www.cityofmalden.org/873/HUD-Reports-and-Notices at apratt@cityofmalden.org apratt@cityofmalden.org apratt@cityofmalden.org Welcome Week licly proclaim welcoming values, foster a mutual understanding between immigrants and non-immigrants and build a deeper sense of belonging for all. Throughout Welcoming Week we will provide information about local community organizations: resources for English classes, immigration & citizenship information, food & housing information and more. We will also have some craft kits available. This year we will have a special event on Saturday, September 16, from 10:0011:00 a.m. — “Coff ee, Cookies, and Conversation.” Meet your neighbors in a relaxed environment for a cup of coff ee and great conversation! And don’t miss our Movie Night on Wednesday, September 20, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. We will be showing a recent and excellent South Korean film titled “Past Lives,” which features the immigrant experience and outstanding performances by Greta Lee and Teo Yoo. All events are cosponsored by The Friends of the Malden Public Library. Malden Public Library welcomes you!
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