The medications that you need to keep you healthy can end up costing a lot when they add up. Did you know that there are ways to reduce the amount you pay out for your medication each month? Here, you'll find a few tips that'll help you cut the cost of your medicine this year.

Have Your Medication List Assessed

Have you ever had your pharmacist or doctor look over your entire list of medications to determine if they are all necessary? Sometimes, when you are being treated by multiple doctors, the prescriptions that are written can be counterproductive or unnecessary.

Take a full list of the medications that you take to your pharmacist and ask for a medication assessment. He or she will be able to look through everything that you're taking and figure out if there are two that are doing the same thing or some that are working against each other.

You may find that some of the medications that you're paying for each month may not be necessary or could be contributing to some of the symptoms that you've been experiencing.

Shop Around

Did you know that the prices for medications vary from pharmacy to pharmacy? You may be able to get a better price on the same prescription just by making a trip a mile further up the road. There are tools online that'll show you the cheapest place in your area to get the prescription that you need — in fact, you may actually be able to get the best price by ordering the prescription through an online pharmacy — then, you don't have to even leave the house to chase down the prescriptions.

Look for Coupons

Sometimes, you can find coupons online for the medications that you take. Just type in the name of the medication and add the word "coupon" to the search. You'll be presented with any discounts that can be found for that particular medication.

Manufactures also offer a discount on some of the medications that they produce. If you check with their website or social media sites, you may be able to find a voucher for samples or reduced pricing on their products — your doctor may also be able to help you find manufacturer's discounts for your meds.

Don't wait until your bottles are all empty to begin searching for ways to reduce the cost of your medication each month. Get to work now, and by the time you need to refill, you'll have all of the information that you need to get the best possible price for the medications that keep you alive and feeling well.