The trend in healthcare is to pass along more of the costs to consumers. As a result, it is more important than ever to be aware of what you're spending on healthcare and where you can save money.

One area that can offer a surprising amount of savings - EVEN IF YOU HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE - is prescription drugs. A few minutes of shopping around can quickly result in extra money in your pocket.

For instance, take Synthriod - a commonly prescribed thyroid medicine. Our understanding is that the average doseage is .100 mcg. At a $15 co-pay, 90 pills will cost you $45. At Drugstore.com, the same amount of pills - with no insurance - will cost you $35.97. A savings of about $40 a year.

Obviously, the actual savings depend on the drug, the doseage, your insurance company's formulary, and your co-pay. If you are one of the 45 million Americans who do not have health insurance, shopping around is absolutely important. Also, if you have little hesitation about moving your prescription around, keep an eye out for transfer specials. Many grocery stores, pharmacies, and discount stores (e.g. Target) will give you a gift card simply for moving your prescription to their store - even if you are using insurance.

As far as shopping around for the best deals, here are some places to check:
Sam's Club - you do not have to be a member in many states
Costco - you do not have to be a member in many states
DrugStore.com
I-SaveRx.net - open to all Illinois, Wisconsin, Kansas, Missouri and Vermont residents; developed by the state of Illinios

You may also want to check out these that are recommended by Consumer Reports:
PharmacyChecker.com - Includes prices and customer feedback about online pharmacies
Partnership for Prescription Assistance - 275 programs that offer cost savings to consumers