5. Can I talk to my pharmacist to figure out the least expensive option?

If you already have a prescription, it’s not too late to consult your pharmacist. "When patients are prescribed an expensive medicine or one with a high co-pay, a pharmacist can tell them what they can substitute," says Vibhuti Arya, spokesperson for the American Pharmacists Association. Arya recommends asking your pharmacist about generic options every couple of months, to check if the patent of an expensive brand-name drug has expired, opening the way for a generic version. Of course, you'll need to discuss any alternative medications with your doctor.