More than half of Black adults (56.8 percent) say their families struggle to afford health care and prescription medications, according to a recent study. For many, that financial burden can derail a treatment plan before it even begins, increasing the risk of worsening health and additional complications. In a community that already faces significant disparities in access to mental health care, the added stress of figuring out how to pay for the medications you need can feel overwhelming.
In honor of Minority Mental Health Month, BlackDoctor spoke with Alexandra Robertson, Chief Growth Officer at Visory Health, a leading prescription discount card provider, about why medication costs remain an often-overlooked barrier to mental health equity and how insurance-free prescription savings can help lower the cost of common generic medications, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), prescription antidepressant medications like Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro.
There are real barriers to accessing mental health care, including the stigma that still surrounds asking for help and the challenge of finding a provider who is a good fit. Even after someone works through those barriers, an unaffordable prescription can stop them at the very last step.
A recent Urban Institute report found that nearly 60 percent of Black adults said their families had difficulty affording health care. For many, a monthly prescription isn’t a one-time hurdle—it’s an ongoing decision about whether they can afford to stay on treatment. When medication becomes too expensive, it creates yet another barrier to maintaining an effective mental health treatment plan.
There are many layers and caveats to treating mental health. Some include intensive treatment programs, medication, or talk therapy. Affordability is the barrier that shows up last but does some of the most damage, because it can undo progress someone has already worked hard to make in their mental health journey. In communities where getting diagnosed and finding care is already an uphill climb, price often becomes the thing that decides whether treatment actually continues. Someone can do everything right, see a provider, leave with a prescription, and still walk away at the pharmacy counter because the cost is more than they planned for. Lowering the out-of-pocket cost for medications takes away that barrier.
Before anyone makes a decision about their treatment based on price alone, the most useful step is to talk to their doctor, because there are almost always more affordable paths than the first price presented. A free discount card like Visory Health can bring the cash price of many common generics, including generic SSRIs, down by up to 80 percent, with no insurance required. It is also worth asking the pharmacist to compare that discounted price against what insurance would charge, since the cheaper option is not always insurance. Any decision to stop or change a treatment should be made with a doctor, not one that occurs at the counter because the price comes as a surprise.
You don’t have to have insurance to access great prescription savings. Free prescription discount cards give an upfront cash price on the medication, instead of running it through an insurance plan. With Visory Health, you show the digital discount card at the pharmacy counter, the pharmacist applies it, and you pay the discounted rate. There is no insurance requirement, and one card covers the whole family. It helps a wider group than people expect, from those who are uninsured or on high-deductible health insurance plans, to Medicare patients without Part D, to anyone whose plan does not cover a particular medication.
The biggest misconception is that the price given first is the only price available. Oftentimes, when comparing options across different pharmacies and locations, you can find real savings. People also assume every discount card delivers the same price, and they do not, since the number can vary by card, pharmacy, and medication. When you compare cards, look for a card that is genuinely free, does not require an account to use, and works at the pharmacies you already visit. It is also worth checking the discounted cash price against your insurance, because the cash price available with a discount card can be lower.
When someone is choosing between rent, groceries, and a prescription refill, a lower, affordable medication cost is often what keeps them on treatment at all. These medications tend to work only when taken consistently, so a lower monthly price is not a small convenience; it is the difference between staying on a treatment plan and walking away from it. A December 2025 KFF poll found that more than half of Black adults reported their households had trouble affording basic necessities, so bringing a recurring cost down by up to 80 percent can be what makes staying consistent realistic.
Prioritizing your mental health isn’t always easy—especially as healthcare costs continue to rise—but you don’t have to let cost be the reason you go without care. There are resources available that can help make treatment more affordable and keep you on track with your mental health journey. Start with these tips:
Taking care of your mental health shouldn’t come down to what you can afford. Knowing your options, asking questions, and taking advantage of available savings programs can help you stay focused on what matters most—your health and well-being.
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
