Key Takeaways
- Texas has the highest percentage of prescription drug spending in the United States at 11.17% of total spending in the entire country.
- You can get discounts on prescription medication at pharmacies with the Texas Drug Card or the MedsYourWay program.
- Texas Cares Rx, Medicare Extra Help, and the State Health Insurance Program are all government and state programs that can assist you with prescription cost help.
- You can pay for one-off prescription costs with payday loans in Texas. You can borrow up to $1,200 based on your income level.
- Payday loan borrowers must repay what they owe with the next paycheck.
Texas has among the highest prescription costs in the United States. In fact, it ranks number one for total prescription drug spending percentage. If you are wondering how to get prescription costs help, you can consider the Texas Drug Card, Texas Cares Rx, Medicare Extra Help, or payday loans in Texas.
In this guide from Texas Car Title and Payday Loan Services, Inc., we will explain seven methods for how to pay for high prescription costs. We will also review payday loans for medical bills, and how borrowing money from a future paycheck can help with unexpected expenses.
7 Ways To Get Prescription Costs Help
As mentioned above, Texas is the number one state in the US for the percentage of prescription drug spending. Texas residents represent 11.17% of the prescription drug expenditures in the United States every year. For comparison, California ranks 2nd at 8.10%, and Georgia ranks 10th at 2.88%.
The cost of prescription drugs depends on what you need and whether you have insurance that covers your prescription. According to GoodRx, the average out-of-pocket prescription cost in 2024 was $14.57. However, this doesn’t account for differences between brand-name and generic medications, or for more expensive medications for severe illnesses.
If you need help affording prescription costs, consider your seven options below:
1. Texas Drug Card
The Texas Drug Card is a free assistance program available to all residents of Texas, regardless of the county you live in. Unlike other programs we'll talk about, you do not need to meet any membership requirements to gain access to the card. It provides free coupons and discounted prices for brand & generic drugs at more than 68,000 qualified pharmacies nationwide.
You also don't have to meet income, age, pre-existing conditions, deductibles, or waiting-period restrictions, as many insurance providers insist upon.
This program is designed to supplement health insurance plans, such as Health Savings Accounts and High Deductible Plans. You can also use it as a Medicare Part D supplement for discounts on otherwise non-covered drugs.
2. Texas Cares Rx
Texas Cares Rx is an ever-evolving network of volunteers (known as Navigators by the network) across the state that works to connect state residents to Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs). Once connected to these programs, you can apply to receive no- or low-cost prescription medications.
By working closely with groups within Texan communities, the network engages resources and addresses barriers that prevent some residents from receiving the medication they require.
PAPs are run by various nonprofits and pharmaceutical companies to offer prescription medicine to those who cannot afford their medication and have no health insurance. While the majority of Patient Assistance Programs require you to be uninsured and live in the United States, you can find programs with different standards, income guidelines, and other eligibility requirements.
There are a variety of PAPs available for a myriad of medications to treat various conditions, including but not necessarily limited to:
- Diabetes
- Cancer
- Asthma and other respiratory problems
- Kidney disease
- Mental health
- Eye health
- Heart health
- MS
- HIV
- Hepatitis
To apply for a PAP, you will need a valid prescription from a United States physician. It's also worth noting that anyone can apply, but it's up to the pharmaceutical company that receives the medication.
3. Discount Cards
Medication-specific discount cards work similarly to typical discount card programs, but they help reduce the cost of prescription medications, not groceries. The MedsYourWay program works with Blue Shield and Blue Cross of Texas health plan pharmacy to automatically search for and discover lower costs for eligible medicines.
This is how it works:
- Request a participating in-network pharmacy to fill in your prescription.
- When you pick up your prescription, show the pharmacist your member ID card.
- You will then pay the lowest possible price.
4. Use Comparison Apps
Various comparison apps show you prescription prices at local pharmacies, so you can purchase the right medication at the lowest price. All you have to do is enter your drug and dosage, and the free tool will compare the prices for you. Select your choice, and you'll receive a digital coupon.
GoodRx is the pioneer of this space. Its membership plan covers 1,000 medications for under $10 per prescription. Other apps include WebMDRx, RxSaver, SingleCare, Blink, and PharmacyChecker. It's worth noting, however, that using these apps bypasses any health insurance coverage you may have.
5. State Health Insurance Assistance Program
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a statewide program offering local assistance and one-to-one counseling to people with Medicare. This assistance and counseling are free, thanks to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' grants. It covers both telephone and face-to-face sessions, media activities, and public education presentations.
Your local SHIP center can offer:
- Assistance in reviewing health/prescription drug plans
- Objective counseling to Medicare-eligible individuals, families, and caregivers
- Free one-on-one counseling by trained Benefits Counselors
- Assistance applying for both state and federal benefit programs, like Low-Income Subsidy and Medicare Savings Programs.
6. Medicare Extra Help
Extra Help is a Medicare-provided program that helps you pay for Medicare drug coverage (Part D) deductibles, coinsurance, premiums, and similar costs. If you're approved for the Extra Help program, you won't have to worry about Part D late enrollment penalties, either. Depending on your situation, you may qualify for this program automatically. Otherwise, you will have to apply yourself.
You will gain automatic qualification if you get:
- Help from the state to pay your Part B premiums
- Supplemental Security Income payments
- Full Medicaid coverage
If you don't fall into these categories, you can apply online or contact your local SHIP to get help applying for free.
Generally speaking, you must have income and resources below certain limits to qualify for Extra Help. If you're an individual, the income limit is $23,940, and the resource limit is $18,090. If you're a married couple, the income limit is $32,460, and the resource limit is $36,100. These limits may change over the coming years. Check the Extra Help website to see what the limits are currently.
7. Payday Loans In Texas
Sometimes, you may not qualify for a program or just need help with one-off prescription costs. If that's the case for you, we can help by providing Texas payday loans. With a cash advance for prescriptions, you can borrow $100 to $1,200 to fund medication costs when money is tight. You can borrow from a future paycheck as long as you agree to repay with your next payday.
You don't need to have a good credit score to qualify, but we may conduct a soft credit check. The required items you will need are a state-issued photo ID that displays your full name and date of birth, your most recent pay stub, and a checking account.
Once you've collected the necessary documents, follow these steps to get a payday loan:
- Complete the online inquiry form on this website
- Answer our phone call to discuss how payday loans work
- Bring your required items to the nearest Texas store for verification
- If approved, sign the loan agreement to finish the process
- Receive your cash advance late that day or by the next business day
FAQs About Texas Payday Loans
How long does it take to get a payday loan?
You can receive approval for payday loans the same day you apply, as long as you meet the requirements. You can apply in just a few moments and qualify in person in under 30 minutes.
What are payday loan alternatives?
If you need to afford a larger medical emergency, you could go for title loans worth up to $15,000. However, you will need to own your vehicle outright. Installment loans are also an option for up to $1,500. You will have to repay the loan in fixed installment payments.
Can you get payday loans with bad credit?
You can borrow a bad credit payday loan because it is a short-term, low-value loan. We may use a soft credit check to verify your score, but you may still get approved with a poor credit score. Your income and ability to afford repayment are more integral for approval.
Get Payday Loans For Prescriptions In Texas!
Depending on your circumstances, there are a number of programs throughout the state that provide help with prescription costs. If you don't qualify for such programs, you can turn to our payday loans for medical bills in Texas. Just complete our online payday loan form, and we'll guide you through the process in under 30 minutes!
Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.
