Many Americans, even those with insurance, overpay for drugs. Medicare seniors on a budget are almost conned into believing they must buy their drugs through Part D prescription medicine insurance plans (PDPs). No so.

There are simple ways to get around Medicare's expensive and bewildering "tiers," "stages," deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, donut holes, "preferred" drugs and the like. Working people on group and individual health insurance drug plans take note: if you can't afford high out-of-pocket co-pays, don't go without. There are cheaper options.

If the drugs you need aren't available on your Medicare and employer prescription drug plan (PDP), or if you're substituting less-effective meds that might not work or even be bad for their health, stop skipping doses and cutting pills in half.