In addition to changing leaves, for many of us, fall means we're handed a packet of materials and asked to ponder our medical benefits as part of open enrollment season.

So as you review your health care budget, remember that you may be able to save big on prescription drugs. At two pharmacies just a mile apart, the price of the same medication can differ dramatically.

That's why doing your homework before heading to the drugstore is just one way to cut costs on prescription drugs.

As the price of prescription drugs rises at a steady clip, here are six tips to keep in mind.

Use generic medications

The easiest way to cut down on the cost of drugs is to ask for your prescription to be filled with a generic version. Despite their no-frills sound, generic drugs are no less effective, so you should always find out whether this lower-cost option is available.

Finding generic alternatives shouldn't be hard. They are available for more than three-quarters of the 11,000 federally approved drugs on the market, the Generic Pharmaceutical Association says. Last year, generic drugs accounted for 65 percent of filled prescriptions, up from 56 percent in 2005.

Their growing popularity comes as the cost of prescription drugs continues to climb. Drugmakers raised their prices last year by an average of 7.4 percent, more than double the rate of inflation, for brand-name medicines most commonly prescribed to the elderly, a study by AARP found.

Find a lower-cost option

Even if a generic is not available, you may be able to find a cheaper alternative. For example, someone with heartburn could save more than $100 a month by taking over-the-counter Prilosec instead of Nexium, said Gail Shearer, director of Consumer Reports' Best Buy Drugs.

Before changing medications, patients should talk to their doctors about the effect a switch might have on their condition.

"It's a starting point to open a conversation with your doctor or nurse about your options," Shearer said. You can find additional guidance on lower-cost options for a range of conditions at www.CRBestBuyDrugs.com.

Shop around

Call ahead to nearby pharmacies to get price quotes before heading out -- especially if you're buying a brand-name drug.

A recent search for the sleep aid Ambien in New York turned up options including $140 for a 30-day supply at one Walgreens and $171 at a Rite Aid pharmacy just a mile away.

Don't overlook traditional retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart, which offer $4 prescription programs. Target offers hundreds of generics at $4 for a 30-day supply, $10 for a 90-day supply. Wal-Mart's program follows the same pricing and also includes some brand-name and over-the-counter drugs.

Other chains, including Kroger, have rolled out similar programs.

Order by mail

You've probably become accustomed to renting movies by mail. Your health is certainly more significant, but if you haven't tried it, you should look into filling prescriptions by mail.

If you're on a daily medication, you'll certainly want to investigate. It's likely that the pharmacy program of your benefits package will offer 90-day supplies at discounted prices, said Charles Cote, spokesman for the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association.

Ordering prescription drugs through the mail is convenient and could save gas money too, Cote said.

Research state discount programs

For those without insurance, at least 19 states have prescription drug discount programs, the National Association of State Legislatures said. These programs may be helpful if you're recently unemployed, find your COBRA coverage ending, or otherwise don't have prescription drug coverage.

Information on North Carolina's program for low-income seniors can be found at www.ncrx.gov or by calling (888) 488-6279.

The discounts and terms for eligibility vary, but Arizona, Oregon, Washington state and Wisconsin have no age or income requirements to enroll.

Beware of freebies, discount programs

Proceed carefully before signing up for commercial discount programs, coupons or drug freebies. Upon closer inspection, you may find that they are backed by pharmaceutical companies, and critics say they often steer consumers toward name-brand drugs.

The problem is that once the free samples or discount runs out, users may feel they need to continue on the same medication -- but now at full cost.

Such discount programs often provide a few generic options, but it's unlikely to be an extensive list.

"Go in with your eyes open," said Consumer Reports' Shearer. "They sound appealing, but in many cases, people may save more money if they just take the time to go through their different options."

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