Life Kit (NPR): How to Get Lower Prices on Prescription Drugs

Host: Marielle Segarra
Guest: Dan Weissman (host of "An Arm and a Leg")
Date: November 3, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode of Life Kit, host Marielle Segarra talks with Dan Weissman, host of "An Arm and a Leg," about practical strategies and workarounds for managing high prescription drug costs in the U.S. Drawing from real listener stories, expert insights, and a field-tested "order of operations," the episode guides listeners through the steps to take when faced with sticker shock at the pharmacy—and how to be proactive in minimizing drug costs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Problem: Sticker Shock at the Pharmacy

• Marielle paints a vivid picture of the common, distressing scenario at the pharmacy:
  "You expected it to cost 20 bucks, but instead it's 170 or 500 or 1,000." (00:20)
• Dan introduces a tragic real-life case: Cole Schmidt Nacht, whose inability to afford a suddenly expensive asthma inhaler resulted in fatal consequences.
  "If somebody had told him that ... he would be alive today.” (Dan Weissman, 01:44)

Memorable Quote:
"Everybody should know the questions to ask, the things to try, because in his case and in a lot of cases, there is something you can do."
— Dan Weissman (02:18)

Step-by-Step Guide to Lowering Prescription Drug Costs

1. Double-Check for Errors

• Always verify the price and ensure the pharmacy has accurate, up-to-date insurance information.
  • Example: Dan discovered his prescription was actually $0 after correcting insurance details.
    “Wait, I think my insurance changed. Do you have my new insurance? And then they were like, actually, under your new insurance, it's $0.”
    — Dan Weissman (04:59)

2. Consult the Pharmacist for Alternatives & Discounts

• Ask about dosage/formulation alternatives (e.g., different pill strengths, pill cutters).
• Request if the pharmacist can locate any in-store discounts, coupon codes, or patient savings programs.
  • "I've been to some pharmacists...they're like, oh, let me check. I think there's a coupon for this."
    — Dan Weissman (05:19)

3. Use Online Coupon Services

• Search online with your prescription's name and "coupon" or "discount."
• GoodRx and similar platforms can offer significant savings and show competitive pricing at different pharmacies.
  • "You just click a thing and it shows up on your phone ... these are discounts that GoodRx has worked out, but it's different at every pharmacy."
    — Dan Weissman (07:03, 07:47)
• Prices can vary widely:
  • "Walgreens wants $100 for this... Mariano's...$20. Costco, $20. Walmart, $15."
    — Dan Weissman (07:28)

4. Look for Manufacturer Coupons

• Pharmaceutical companies often offer their own discounts, which can be found by a quick web search.
• Note: Manufacturer coupons usually require private insurance and may not apply for Medicare/Tricare/VA patients due to federal law.
  • "The strategy ... is they’re going to get the insurance company to pay them ... if you don’t have insurance, there’s no point to them giving you this discount."
    — Dan Weissman (08:21)

5. Ask Your Provider About Alternatives

• If the price remains high, reach out to your doctor for different but equivalent medications that are covered.
  • "Is there an alternative version of this medicine that could work for me?"
    — Dan Weissman (10:46)
  • "For medications that are super common, it's just a random quirk that ... this essentially equivalent medicine is being priced really high for you under your insurance."
    — Dan Weissman (11:33)

6. Pursue Prior Authorization

• If no alternative is available, your provider may submit a letter to your insurer explaining medical necessity.
  • "They need your doctor ... to write them and tell them: my patient here needs this specific drug ... that can take time."
    — Dan Weissman (13:53)
  • Sales reps might provide free samples to bridge the gap while waiting for insurance approval.
    • "Doc, do you have or can you get some samples of this medicine for me?"
      — Dan Weissman (16:18)

7. Explore Patient Assistance Programs

• Pharmaceutical companies and nonprofits offer financial help for eligible patients ("patient assistance programs").
  • Applications vary in rigor and requirements; may be income- or insurance-status-dependent.
  • “If you search for the name of your drug and patient assistance program, you'll probably get some answers. ... There's a site called NeedyMeds that brings things together.”
    — Dan Weissman (17:27)

8. Be Proactive During Open Enrollment

• Review the "formulary" for any insurance plan before enrolling:
  • "The formulary is your insurance plan’s list of all the drugs, all the drugs, and how much you will pay for any given drug."
    — Dan Weissman (17:41)
• Search for your required meds to see coverage and pricing; plan ahead with your provider if issues arise.

Pro Tip:
"The sad part is that it’s a thing you have to do every year ... and then next year ... now I’ve got to start fighting again."
— Dan Weissman (19:25)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I think of these companies—the pharmaceutical companies and, and the insurance companies and the big providers—I think of them all as sharks ... they're all just sharks fighting each other."
  — Dan Weissman (15:14)
• "And what does that make us? The like little minnows."
  — Marielle Segarra (15:30)
• "We're the food."
  — Dan Weissman (15:33)
• "It's exhausting. I need an app after thinking about all this."
  — Marielle Segarra (20:15)
• "You and me both, man."
  — Dan Weissman (20:20)

Practical Takeaways (from Recap Segment)

(21:55–22:40)

1. Check for mistakes — Is your pharmacy using the correct insurance info?
2. Ask about discounts/coupons — Both at the pharmacy and online.
3. Seek alternatives — Ask provider/pharmacist if a different, covered drug is available.
4. Use samples — Get free samples from your doctor while sorting out insurance issues.
5. Apply for assistance — Financial help may be available from drug companies or nonprofits (NeedyMeds).
6. Check formularies during open enrollment — Know your coverage before selecting an insurance plan, and plan accordingly with your provider if there may be access challenges.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:20] Anecdote about sticker shock at the pharmacy
• [01:07] Case of Cole Schmidt Nacht (fatal outcome due to high medication costs)
• [04:38] First step: Check for errors at the pharmacy
• [05:17] Questions to ask the pharmacist
• [06:24] Using online coupons and GoodRx
• [07:52] Manufacturer coupons and Google search tips
• [08:18] Limitations and caveats of coupon use
• [10:03] Approaching your provider for alternatives
• [13:47] What to do if there’s no covered alternative
• [15:35] Free samples from doctors
• [16:29] Patient assistance programs and NeedyMeds (needyMeds.org)
• [17:41] Evaluating insurance plans: formulary checks
• [19:23] The yearly cycle of researching formularies

Conclusion

This episode arms listeners with a clear set of tactics to use when faced with high prescription drug prices. By working systematically—verifying insurance, leveraging discounts, exploring alternatives, seeking support programs, and planning ahead during open enrollment—you can dramatically reduce out-of-pocket medication costs and avoid medical and financial pitfalls.

For deeper dives into why healthcare costs so much, check out Dan Weissman's "An Arm and a Leg" podcast.

End of Summary