copyright 2009, The Washington Post WASHINGTON -- If you are in credit card debt: -- Call the card issuer to ask for a lower interest rate, lower minimum payment or other payment plan. -- Seek help from a credit counseling agency, but make sure you vet them with the Better Business Bureau, your state's attorney general and local consumer protection agencies. -- If it has become impossible to pay your bills, consider filing for bankruptcy. Tips for cutting down on prescription drug costs: -- Switch to generic drugs, if your doctor approves it. -- Ask your doctor for free samples of your medicine. -- Ask the pharmacist about discounts. -- Buy in bulk. It's usually cheaper. -- Consider mail-order or Internet pharmacies. They often offer better deals. -- Look into pharmaceutical company payment-assistance programs. Many drug companies offer discount card programs for disabled, low-income and elderly patients. -- See whether your state has a drug assistance program. To cut down on other health-care costs: -- Don't avoid going to the doctor if you are ill. Ask your doctor whether you can get on a payment plan if you cannot afford to cover the out-of-pocket cost right away. -- If you are on Medicare, consider supplemental insurance. -- Use the Medicare.gov decision-support tool to pick the most appropriate Part D plan. It will show a monthly breakdown of expenses and suggest generic substitutes. -- Become more active in your own care -- especially for chronic conditions. Blood glucose monitors can help seniors control diabetes, portable blood pressure cuffs allow seniors to track hypertension. These simple tools might prevent an unscheduled doctor visit and may even prevent a costly emergency room visit. -- For non-chronic problems (flu, colds, physicals) stop by a retail clinic which are often half the cost of a traditional physician visit. -- Keep active. A morning walk can help control weight, high blood pressure and other problems. Numerous studies have found benefits to physical exercise for seniors. -- Telemedicine is a way to access a doctor's advice without a costly in-office visit. Some of these services rely on a 'call hotline' model in which advice is included in a monthly charge (but no prescriptions are written). Others, such as TelaDoc, charge by the call ($35) but can prescribe medication. SOURCE: National Center for Policy Analysis and staff reports 