Tips to Lower Your Prescription Costs
Help to lower your prescription costs…
- Generic Medications: Using generic medications can provide significant cost savings. Ask your provider or pharmacist if there is a generic treatment option available and if it is appropriate for you.
- Different Medication Choice: Oftentimes, there is more than one medication option to treat the same condition. If it seems your cost is high, ask your pharmacist if there are any alternatives you can suggest to your provider. Don’t be afraid to ask questions – your provider wants to prescribe the best option for you, but sometimes, there is more than one – and it may be worth it to ask.
- Different Pharmacies: Out-of-pocket costs of medications are very important to know. OptumRx has an online tool that tells you how much your prescription costs and helps you shop around for the lowest price at different pharmacies in your area.
- Coupon Savings: There are many discount programs you can find online that may provide cost savings compared to the out-of-pocket prices. There are a number of websites out there, CommunityCaresRX.com, WellRX.com, and GoodRX.com are a few. Or go to Google and search coupons using the name of your medication and dosage. Coupons aren’t available for all medications and not all coupons will apply toward your deductible and out-of-pocket amounts on your medical plan.
- Patient Assistance Programs: Many drug manufacturers offer Patient Assistance Programs. The most reliable way to find if financial assistance is available is through the manufacturer’s website (you may find the name of a drug’s manufacturer during your Google search).
Prescriptions are typically less expensive if you utilize OptumRx, rather than a retail pharmacy. OptumRx can apply coupons and discounts as well even if they are not listed as an option on the manufacture’s site. Once you have your coupon or discount information you may call OptumRx at the number listed on the back of your UMR Health Insurance Card and ask them to apply the coupon savings to your prescription.
Don’t Skip Important Medications! The most important thing you can do for your health is to stay on track with your necessary medications. While it is tempting to skip doses, or just forego filling a prescription altogether, this will often result in worsening your illness or condition. Ultimately, going untreated or under-treated can lead to far more serious and expensive health care outcomes, such as hospitalizations, more prescription medications, missed workdays, and an overall lack of well-being. Keep up with your daily medications, and always ask your provider before stopping medications. Take advantage of preventive appointments and annual well-check appointments. Communicate with your pharmacist and provider to make sure you understand why you are taking each medication. We want you to have the best possible health outcomes. Be an advocate for your own health by working with your pharmacist and provider to find the most affordable and effective solutions together.
If you still find that you can’t afford your medications and need assistance, please feel free to call for help:
- Christi Landeck, Benefit Coordinator – Ext 37255
- Lynn Christian, REACH Wellness and Outreach Manager – Ext 37264
- Claims assistance with our broker, WFI – 866-256-6660
Be Seen from Home
When home is where you want to be, get care from virtually anywhere with Telehealth Video Visits, E-Visits or Telephonic Visits. Whether through video or online messaging or over the phone, Riverside’s providers will ensure you receive the care you need.
Riverside Telemedicine allows you to be seen from anywhere in Illinois. Our health professionals will ensure you receive the same great care whether through telehealth or in-person.
Schedule a Riverside Video Visit with your Riverside primary care provider, specialty care provider, or after-hours and on the weekend with Immediate Care.
Ready to Schedule?
Here are three easy ways to schedule your video visit.
- myRiverside MyChart app
- Online at riversidemychart.org
- By phone
If you do not have a myRiverside MyChart account, you can request an activation code, click the button below.
Have an account already? Click below to sign in and schedule.
Contactless Check-in is Now a Thing
Did you know that you can check-in and let the front desk staff know you have arrived for your appointment or procedure without stepping foot into the office? With the new Contactless Check-in feature through MyChart, you can avoid waiting in line and additional close contact as you check-in.
How does it work?
Make sure you have the new myRiverside app downloaded on your phone, it’s free for Apple and Android devices, click here for download. The myRiverside app if fully integrated with your MyChart account and will be a key part of checking-in.
eCheck-in for your appointment or procedure ahead of time. The eCheck-in button will show up in your MyChart account anywhere from three to seven days before your appointment or procedure. Answer the questions to avoid standing in line.
On appointment day, an “I’m Here” button will show up 30 minutes before your scheduled time. Log into your MyChart account from the myRiverside app and click “I’m Here” to let the front desk staff know you have arrived.
Location Services
Make your experience even more seamless and turn on location services. As you near your appointment location, your phone will see that you have pulled up and automatically ask if you want to let the office know you have arrived. Click the pop-up notification and click “I’m Here” and proceed to your appointment.
Appointments & Procedures
The convenient eCheck-in and “I’m Here” process is available for all Riverside appointments, tests, and procedures. Procedures are detailed in your MyChart account but most common tests include MRI, CT, mammogram, ultrasound, and more. Once your provider orders a test or a procedure you have the ability to schedule within your MyChart account.
Contactless check-in is not only convenient, but safe for you and the staff. Don’t forget to try it out at your next appointment or procedure.
Riverside Medical Group Adds Internal Medicine Physician
Dr. Maryann Kelly is now seeing patients in Bourbonnais
Riverside Healthcare is pleased to welcome board-eligible internal medicine physician, Maryann Kelly, MD.
Dr. Kelly completed her Doctor of Medicine at Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies. She then completed an Internal Medicine Residency at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, IL.
Dr. Kelly’s passion for people led her into the medical field and specifically internal medicine. Within internal medicine, her clinical interests include diabetes management, hypertension management, and preventative health care.
In addition to her education, Dr. Kelly is a member of the American College of Physicians.
Dr. Kelly is now practicing at Riverside Internal Medicine Bourbonnais, located at 400 Riverside Drive, Suite 2100 in Bourbonnais, IL. Dr. Kelly is accepting new patients, appointments can be made online, through the myRiverside app, or by calling
(815) 935-7284
To learn more about Dr. Kelly and Riverside’s full team of primary care providers, click here.
Show Us Your #MyBestShot
As Riverside employees continue to stand on the front lines to fight COVID, some have documented the moment they received the historic COVID-19 vaccine.
Send us your #MyBestShot to have your vaccine photo included in Connection and tell us why you decided to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Photos can be submitted here
