Prescription medications can be expensive when you have health insurance and even more so when you don't. Cutting costs takes diligence and detective work but can pay off:

1. Tell your doctor that paying for medications is going to be a financial hardship. He or she may be able to help, such as by giving you free samples for your prescription. Keep in mind that free samples are usually only available for newer prescription drugs, which may cost more in the long run.

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2. Ask about less expensive prescriptions. Generic drugs contain the same ingredients as brand-name drugs and are usually much cheaper. Even if a generic version of your prescription is not available, there may be a generic version of another drug in the same drug class that will work just as effectively. Or you may be a good candidate for an older, cheaper name-brand drug that will work just as well as a newer, more expensive one. You may react differently to a different drug, but if works for you, you'll save money.

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3. Consider pill splitting. If you take a 20-milligram daily dose of a pill you may be able to get your doctor to prescribe a 40-mg tablet for the same price—and then split it in half to double your supply. However, pill splitting may carry serious risks and should be done only with the doctor's consent. Learn how to do it right.

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