Guest writer Sophia Wynott is a nurse from Phoenix, Arizona. She has over thirty years of nursing experience and has written three books about life in the health care profession. She is a grandmother of three and enjoys little dogs. These are her words . . .

In the tough economic times, everyone is looking for ways to save money. Here are five tips for reducing the amount you spend on medications.

1. Flex Spending Accounts
When available, participate in health savings accounts offered by your employer. Maximize your earning power by putting pre-tax dollars from your salary into this fund. Keep all your receipts for any health supplements, vitamins, and over the counter medicines. Ask your physician to write a letter of medical necessity for those items that are essential to your health maintenance. For instance, women are told to take calcium to prevent osteoporosis. People with joint pain use aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen. Still others use herbal remedies such as fever few for headaches. Send the letter of medical necessity to the administrators of the savings plan as proof of legitimate medical expenses (as required by the federal government) and copies of your receipts. Reimbursement comes in handy.

2. Shop Around
Many pharmacies offer their own discount plans. If your insurance doesn’t cover medications, it pays to shop around to see if the prescriptions you need are on a pharmacy’s discount list. At times it may be less expensive to purchase from the drugstore discount program than to use your insurance which may have high co-pays. For instance, my mother’s Medicare drug program would cover one of her prescriptions, but it has a $40.00 co-pay. Her medication was included on the drug store discount list for only $10.00 ‘“ saving $30.00.

3. Mail Order Services
Recurring prescriptions are less expensive through mail-order pharmacies. Many insurance companies offer these services. Be sure to call in your refills on time. You don’t want to be without your meds on a weekend or holiday. You’ll loose your savings if you have to see the doctor and have her write a temporary prescription to fill at the local pharmacy to fill in the gap.

4. Follow Prescription Orders
Never try to cut costs by taking less medication than is prescribed by your physician, such as cutting pills in half or skipping days. The therapeutic level will not be reached and this can cause your illness to flare up’”leading to costly ER visits and hospitalizations.

5. Home Remedies
Sometimes it is not only cheaper, but safer, to use home remedies than over the counter medication. Honey soothes a simple cough. Baking soda paste can reduce an itch. Ice packs and warm moist compresses relieve discomfort and pain. Wet tea bags remove swelling and heal bruising. Chamomile will settle a stomach. Drinking plenty of water ‘“ eight 8 ounce glasses a day – will help you prevent infections, loose weight, and maintain healthy skin.

Next week I’ll be offering tips for treating your child’s fever at home. Feel free to ask questions in the comments section or by sending an e-mail to sophiawynott@gmail.com.