How to Work with Your Doctor to Deprescribe and Save Money
Dec, 8 2025
Most people over 65 take at least five medications. Some take ten or more. And many of those pills aren’t helping anymore-they’re just costing you money and risking your health. If you’re paying hundreds a month for drugs you don’t truly need, you’re not alone. But you can do something about it. Working with your doctor to deprescribe-safely stopping medications that no longer serve you-is one of the smartest ways to cut costs and protect your body at the same time.
What Is Deprescribing, Really?
Deprescribing isn’t just quitting pills. It’s a careful, step-by-step process where you and your doctor review every medication you’re taking and decide which ones you can safely stop. It’s not about cutting corners. It’s about removing the ones that do more harm than good.Think of it like cleaning out your closet. You keep the clothes you wear regularly. You donate the ones you haven’t touched in years. Same with meds. Some you still need. Others? They’re just taking up space-and space costs money.
According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the average patient brings in a “brown bag” of meds and finds 2.3 unnecessary ones. That’s not rare. That’s normal. And each of those extra pills can cost $50, $100, even $200 a month. Stop three of them? That’s $1,800 saved a year. No insurance copay, no coupon, no discount program beats that.
Why You’re Probably Taking Too Many Pills
You didn’t get all these meds in one visit. You got one for your blood pressure, then another for acid reflux, then a sleep aid after that, then a vitamin for your joints, then a supplement your friend swore by. Each doctor focused on one problem. No one looked at the whole picture.That’s the problem with fragmented care. If you see a cardiologist, a neurologist, and a primary care doctor, each might add a drug without knowing what the others prescribed. A 2022 Health Affairs study found that patients seeing multiple doctors are 300% more likely to get inappropriate meds.
And it’s not just prescriptions. Over-the-counter pills, herbal supplements, and even antacids can add up. A 72-year-old woman in Ohio stopped a $120/month sleep aid, a $45/month supplement, and a $25/month antacid-all after her doctor reviewed her list. She saved $2,160 a year. And her energy improved because she wasn’t drowsy from stacking sedatives.
The 5-Step Plan to Start Deprescribing
You don’t need a specialist. You don’t need to wait for a crisis. You can start today. Here’s how:- Collect every pill, patch, and bottle. Include vitamins, supplements, OTC meds, and even creams. Don’t skip anything. Put them all in a bag. This is called a “brown bag review.”
- Write down what each one is for. If you don’t know why you’re taking it, write “don’t know.” That’s okay. That’s the whole point.
- Check the cost of each. Write down how much you pay per month. You’ll be shocked. A $90/month vitamin D supplement? If your blood levels are normal, you’re just throwing money away.
- Make a list of questions to ask your doctor. Use these: “Why am I taking this?” “Is this still helping?” “Could it be causing falls or memory issues?” “Can I stop it?” “What happens if I do?”
- Ask for a plan. Don’t just say, “Can I stop this?” Say, “Can we try stopping this over the next six weeks and check in?”
Doctors don’t always bring this up. They’re busy. You have to lead. And you’re not being difficult-you’re being smart.
What Medications Are Most Often Stopped Safely?
Not all meds are safe to stop. But many are. Here are the top five that often get discontinued without risk:- Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole-taken for heartburn. Many people stay on them for years, even if they only had one episode of acid reflux. Stopping safely can save $420 a year and lower your risk of pneumonia by 25%.
- Statins for cholesterol-if you’re over 75 and have no history of heart attack or stroke, the benefits drop sharply. Stopping can save $600-$1,200 a year.
- Sedatives and sleep aids like zolpidem or benzodiazepines. These increase fall risk by 40% in older adults. Most people don’t need them long-term.
- Anticholinergics for overactive bladder or allergies. These fog your brain. They’re linked to dementia risk. A Kaiser Permanente study cut their use by 35% and saved $1.2 million in one year.
- Supplements like vitamin D, B12, or herbal blends. If your blood tests are normal, you don’t need them. One Reddit user saved $1,980 a year by stopping a $90/month vitamin and a $75/month herbal remedy.
These aren’t guesses. These are backed by studies from JAMA, the American Geriatrics Society, and the US Deprescribing Research Network.
What If You Stop and Feel Worse?
This is the biggest fear. And it’s valid-if you quit cold turkey.Deprescribing isn’t quitting. It’s tapering. It’s slowing down. For blood pressure meds, you might reduce the dose by 25% every two weeks. For sleep aids, you might skip nights, then alternate days. Your doctor will give you a plan.
Some people feel weird for a few days. That’s normal. Your body is adjusting. But if you feel dizzy, your heart races, or you get worse symptoms, call your doctor. That’s not failure-that’s feedback.
A 2019 BMJ study found that when antihypertensives were stopped too fast, 12% of patients had rebound high blood pressure. That’s why you need a plan. Not a guess.
How Much Can You Really Save?
Let’s do the math.One unnecessary $50/month pill = $600/year.
Three unnecessary pills = $1,800/year.
One medication-related hospitalization? That costs $15,700 on average, according to Medicare data. And 37% of those hospitalizations in seniors are preventable through deprescribing.
That’s not just saving money. That’s avoiding a life-altering event.
And it’s not just about pills. Community pharmacists now offer free medication reviews under Medicare Part D. They’ll look at your list, spot duplicates, suggest cheaper generics, and even tell you if a drug is no longer needed. One 2022 study found they saved patients an average of $1,200 a year just by talking for 20 minutes.
What If Your Doctor Says No?
Sometimes they will. Maybe they’re worried. Maybe they’re overwhelmed. Maybe they just don’t know how.That doesn’t mean you stop. It means you come back with more info.
Bring the Beers Criteria list (it’s online, free). Bring a study from JAMA. Bring your own cost breakdown. Say: “I understand your concern. But I’d like to try tapering this slowly and check in in six weeks. If I feel worse, we’ll restart it.”
Most doctors will agree. A 2021 survey found that 78% of primary care physicians support deprescribing-but only 35% feel trained to do it. You’re not pushing back. You’re helping them do their job better.
Who Else Can Help?
You don’t have to do this alone.- Your pharmacist can flag duplicate meds, suggest cheaper brands, and even call your doctor to suggest deprescribing.
- Your Medicare plan is required to offer Medication Therapy Management (MTM) if you take multiple drugs. Call them. Ask for a free review.
- Community health centers often have clinical pharmacists who specialize in geriatric meds.
- Online tools like MedStopper (used in 127 hospitals) help doctors spot risky meds. Ask if your doctor uses it.
One woman in Florida had her pharmacist notice she was taking two different blood pressure pills that did the same thing. The pharmacist called her doctor. One was stopped. She saved $80 a month. No appointment needed.
This Isn’t About Cutting Corners. It’s About Cutting Waste.
You’re not trying to skip care. You’re trying to get the right care. Deprescribing isn’t anti-medication. It’s pro-smart-medication.The Lown Institute calls medication overload “America’s other drug problem.” It’s costing the system $30 billion a year in preventable hospital visits. And for you? It’s costing you sleep, energy, money, and peace of mind.
There’s no magic pill. But there is a simple truth: if a drug isn’t helping, it’s hurting. And if it’s not helping, you don’t need it.
Start with your bag. Write down the costs. Ask the questions. Make a plan. And remember-you’re not asking for permission to feel better. You’re asking for the right to be safe, healthy, and financially secure.
Can I stop my meds on my own?
No. Stopping medications without medical guidance can be dangerous. Some drugs, like blood pressure or antidepressants, can cause serious rebound effects if stopped suddenly. Always work with your doctor or pharmacist to create a safe tapering plan.
How do I know if a medication is unnecessary?
Ask: Why was this prescribed? Is the original condition still present? Has the benefit faded over time? Are there side effects like dizziness, confusion, or fatigue? If you’ve been on a drug for years with no follow-up, it’s likely time to review. Tools like the Beers Criteria help doctors identify risky or outdated prescriptions.
Will my doctor think I’m trying to save money instead of getting care?
Most doctors understand. Rising drug costs are a major issue for patients. When you come prepared with a list of meds, costs, and questions, you’re showing you’re engaged in your care-not avoiding it. Many doctors appreciate patients who ask thoughtful questions.
How long does deprescribing take?
It varies. Some meds can be stopped in a week. Others, like antidepressants or blood pressure drugs, need to be tapered over weeks or months. The key is one medication at a time, with close monitoring. Your doctor will give you a timeline based on the drug and your health.
Does Medicare cover deprescribing services?
Yes. Medicare Part D requires plans to offer free Medication Therapy Management (MTM) to high-risk patients taking multiple medications. You can request a session with a pharmacist to review your drugs, check for interactions, and suggest cost-saving options. Call your plan directly to ask.
What if I feel worse after stopping a medication?
Contact your doctor right away. Feeling worse doesn’t always mean you need the drug back-it could mean the taper was too fast, or another issue is causing symptoms. Your doctor can adjust the plan. Never ignore new or worsening symptoms.