Ways to Reduce Your Out-of-Pocket Costs for Advanced Hypertension Drugs

People being treated for hard-to-control hypertension often need more than one medication to keep blood pressure in check.

If blood pressure readings stay elevated, a doctor may adjust an existing prescription or add another drug. But alongside the hope that a new treatment will help, practical concerns often arise: Can the medication be afforded? Will insurance pay for it? Is there assistance available to help cover the cost?

These worries are widespread. “High copays for some brand-name drugs and health plans with large deductibles often lead to prescription abandonment,” said Craig Basman, MD, associate director of the structural and congenital heart program at Hackensack Meridian Health in New Jersey. He explained that prescription abandonment happens when patients leave the pharmacy without the medicine because the out-of-pocket price is too high.

Research involving adults who take blood pressure medications found that uninsured patients were more likely to miss doses, postpone refills, or forgo prescriptions altogether in order to save money.

Depending on your insurance and financial circumstances, there may be ways to reduce the cost of hypertension medications.