The savings notebook
Less confusion.
A more informed refill.
Practical, sourced guides to prescription costs, coverage, refills, and travel. Start with one question, leave with a clearer next step.
Cash price vs. insurance copay: how to compare
Compare an actual prescription cash quote with your insurance copay, including fees, supply length, and deductible questions.
Read the guide Price transparency · 4 min readWhat is NADAC? A guide to drug acquisition costs
Understand National Average Drug Acquisition Cost, its pricing units, and why a CMS benchmark is not a prescription retail price.
Read the guide Pharmacy shopping · 4 min readCost Plus Drugs vs. a local pharmacy: compare the total
A practical checklist for comparing Cost Plus Drugs with a local pharmacy, including shipping, timing, quantity, and insurance.
Read the guide Everyday savings · 3 min read30-day vs. 90-day prescriptions: compare costs fairly
Compare prescription supply lengths without confusing tablet quantity with days supplied. Use real quotes and the same prescribed schedule.
Read the guide Everyday savings · 3 min readPrescription discount cards: what to compare
Check a prescription discount offer against cash and insurance prices, including eligibility, fees, and deductible treatment.
Read the guide Pharmacy shopping · 3 min readHow to check an online pharmacy before buying
Use FDA resources to check an online pharmacy, its license, prescription requirements, and pharmacist access before ordering.
Read the guide Pharmacy shopping · 6 min readHow to Transfer a Prescription to Another Pharmacy
Learn how to transfer a prescription to another pharmacy: what to bring, who to call, timing, insurance checks, and controlled-substance restrictions.
Read the guide Pharmacy transfers · 5 min readHow to Transfer a Prescription to CVS Pharmacy
Transfer a prescription to CVS: find the official request, prepare your details, choose the right store, and confirm price and pickup before switching.
Read the guide Pharmacy transfers · 5 min readHow to Transfer a Prescription to Walgreens
Find Walgreens’ official guest transfer option, plan your first fill, handle family prescriptions, and check price, coverage, and pickup details.
Read the guide Pharmacy transfers · 6 min readPrescription Transfer Problems: Delays, Refills, and Next Steps
A prescription transfer delayed or not showing up? Use a practical checklist to identify the pending step, who to contact, and what to confirm next.
Read the guide Start here · 3 min readThe prescription details you need for an accurate price
A checklist of drug name, strength, dosage form, release type, quantity, and pricing unit for a like-for-like pharmacy comparison.
Read the guide Insurance basics · 3 min readMedicare drug costs: questions to ask before paying cash
Compare your Medicare plan price with cash carefully and find official help with prescription drug costs.
Read the guide Medication costs · 5 min readMetformin ER Cost Without Insurance: How to Compare Prices
Compare metformin ER prices for your exact extended-release product, strength, and quantity. Check cash, discount, and insurance totals without confusing ER with IR.
Read the guide Refill costs · 6 min readWhy Did My Prescription Price Go Up? A Refill Checklist
Your pharmacy charged more for the same prescription? Compare receipts, check insurance and discount details, and get matching quotes before your next refill.
Read the guide Coverage problems · 5 min readInsurance Won’t Cover My Prescription: What to Do Next
Find out why your prescription was rejected, what to ask about prior authorization or an exception, and how to compare costs while resolving coverage.
Read the guide Refill problems · 5 min readPharmacy Out of Stock? How to Find Your Prescription
What to ask when a pharmacy is out of your medication: check availability, coordinate a transfer, understand shortage information, and plan the next step.
Read the guide Prescription assistance · 5 min readCopay Cards vs. Discount Cards vs. Patient Assistance
Understand manufacturer copay cards, prescription discount cards, and patient assistance programs. Compare eligibility, insurance rules, limits, and next steps.
Read the guide Insurance changes · 5 min readChanging Insurance? A Prescription Coverage Checklist
Prepare prescriptions for a new insurance plan: check your exact drugs, pharmacy network, authorizations, refill timing, and the first fill under new coverage.
Read the guide Travel planning · 5 min readTraveling With Prescription Medication: A Checklist
Plan prescription refills, packing, airport screening, and international medication rules before a trip. Use a checklist and questions for your pharmacist.
Read the guide Price transparency · 5 min readPrescription Drug Price Transparency in 2027: What to Expect
Understand the announced prescription-drug file timeline, what public insurer prices could reveal, and why they will not automatically tell you your copay.
Read the guide Understanding data · 5 min readPrescription Drug Machine-Readable Files: How to Read a Price
A practical checklist for interpreting prescription price files: product identifiers, quantities, effective dates, price types, and limits on consumer comparisons.
Read the guide Insurance basics · 4 min readMedicare Negotiated Drug Price vs. Your Copay: What Is Different?
Learn how a CMS Maximum Fair Price differs from a pharmacy cash offer and your personal Medicare payment. Check dates, units, and plan benefits.
Read the guide Savings programs · 4 min readManufacturer Self-Pay Prescription Programs: Compare the Full Cost
Check manufacturer self-pay offers without confusing introductory prices, copay cards, devices, supply lengths, or insurance benefits.
Read the guideLooking for a specific medication?
Explore the drug directory for strengths, pricing units, and public acquisition-cost references.