5 Questions save money before asking your doctor writes a prescription

Opting for generic drugs rather than brand-name drugs can save hundreds of dollars each year.You know that the visit is almost over when your doctor takes his pen and prescription pad. But before leaving the Office, don't forget to bring this important medical question: the cost of drugs. If you do not afford the luxury of taking a medication, you can benefit your health. And there are many ways to save money in medicine, even if you have good insurance. Here are five questions for your doctor - and yourself - to save money on prescriptions.

1. Are the changes in lifestyle that I try before starting a regimen of drugs?
"For many chronic medical problems, treatment should start with lifestyle changes," says Edward Jardini, MD, author of how saving money on prescription drugs: 20 Cost-Saving methods and a doctor at a private clinic in Templeton, California, where it was before the President of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and head of family medicine. One of the patients of Dr. Jardini, Ernesto (fictitious name) was 49 when he developed diabetes in 1999. Rather than go on drugs, Ernesto decided to try to lose weight first. He left 10 pounds in three months and went to 232 pounds. Even small stabilized weight loss levels of sugar in the blood, and your diabetes has been undetectable - and he has been drug - free since then.

Buy drugs online with securityshopping online can help save moreMore read about saving drugs "If the patient asks [about diet and exercise], the doctor knows, here is someone who is willing to do something in addition to swallow a pill," says Dr. Jardini.

Of course, to eat healthy and exercise can help with many conditions, cannot always cure each medical problem or replace a regimen of medications. In addition, they can be difficult to get or integrate with your work or other responsibilities. If you decide that you want to start with lifestyle changes, establish a time frame (say, three months) with your doctor to see if it is working; If it isn't, you can then reconsider the medication. Some conditions may require medication early on, which can then be reduced if lifestyle changes have quite an effect.

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