How To Save On Your Prescriptions With Medication Rx Cards, Coupons, And More
If you’re looking for ways to save on your prescription drugs, read our easy guide for legal ways to lower the cost of your medications.
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Did you know that if you live in the U.S., you pay more for prescription medications than you would in any other developed country in the world?
There are no two ways about it—drug prices in the U.S. have been soaring and it doesn’t look as if the trend is slowing down.
For young and healthy people, this may not seem like a concern. But all it takes is one major accident or a chronic condition diagnosis for everything to change.
So, even if you aren’t directly affected by the high price of prescription medications, someone you know and love likely is.
Here are some sobering statistics on prescription medications in the U.S.:
Almost 66% of adults regularly take at least one prescription drug.
18 million Americans can’t afford the medicines they need.
In 2022, 22% of Americans had to skip their prescriptions due to the cost.
Despite the high cost of prescription medications, there are ways to ensure you’re getting the best prices on the drugs you need—and they’re safe, affordable, and legal.
Keep reading to find out how you can find discounts on your prescriptions.
How to Find Cheap Prescription Medication
Compare prices
When you’re buying clothing, booking a flight, or staying in a hotel, you probably compare the prices from different brands, websites, and providers to save money.
But have you ever considered doing the same for your medical prescriptions?
Although almost everyone needs a prescription filled at some point in their lives, most don’t realize that the price can vary drastically between different pharmacies.
Moving your prescription from one pharmacy to another can save you money, especially if you have a repeat prescription.
Moving from a small, local pharmacy to a big-box store can also help you save.
Look for prescription coupons
New drugs on the market are typically costly, and only available in their brand name form—which is known to be more expensive than generic medications.
Sometimes, drug manufacturers will make coupons available to people that meet specific qualifying criteria.
These criteria may include, but are not limited to, providing them with medical or insurance information.
Some of the other names for prescription coupons include:
Co-pay savings programs.
Co-pay coupons.
Co-pay assistance cards.
Your local participating pharmacies may even offer prescription coupons to encourage customers to fill their prescriptions with them. While not every pharmacy provides this, it’s always worth asking!
Request a 90-day supply
Did you know that many pharmacies offer lower drug prices if you request a 90-day supply of your prescription medications?
Remember, your doctor will need to write you a prescription for a 90-day supply before you can fill this at your pharmacy.
If you take long-term routine medications—like birth control pills or medicines for high blood pressure—you may be able to get a 90-day prescription from your doctor.
Not only will this help you save money, but you’ll also save time as you won’t need to visit the pharmacy each month for a refill.
Shop online for your medication
You probably already order almost everything online—from clothing, to services, to food—so why not shop online for your prescriptions?
This will help you quickly compare prices of different manufacturers and access lower-cost alternatives. Plus, it’s much more convenient than going to a brick-and-mortar pharmacy monthly.
Many people are worried about buying generic medications online due to unregulated counterfeit products, which can be dangerous or ineffective.
Here’s how you can make sure you’re buying legal, genuine medicine:
Make sure an accredited pharmacy runs the online store.
Ensure the online shop requires customers to have a valid prescription.
The pharmacy should be part of the Verified Internet Pharmacy Practice Sites (VIPPS) program.
The website should have contact information and a physical address in the U.S.
Use a prescription discount card
Prescription drug discount programs are cost-saving measures designed to help customers offset their out-of-pocket expenses when buying prescription medication.
Discount cards can be used for your medicines and can even be used for pet medications.
There are multiple names for these prescription discount cards, including:
Rx cards.
Medication cards.
Prescription drug discount cards.
Whichever name you know them by, they all offer the same thing—and they are all free.
It might sound too good to be true, but prescription discount cards are designed to help customers save up to 80% off their prescription medication costs.
How do they work? It’s simple!
Customers sign up for these cards through their pharmacies (either online or in-store) and present the card when filling their prescriptions, which can get them a price on medication that’s lower than the retail price.
Some of the most popular prescription discount cards in the U.S. include:
GoodRx Gold.
Optum Perks.
SingleCare.
ScriptSave.
WellRx.
RxSaver.
Many people who use a prescription discount card are low-income, uninsured, or under-insured.
However, anyone who wants to save money can get access to them, even if they are high-income and have health insurance.
Pharmacies benefit from joining these programs because their customers are able to purchase more medications, without skipping months of filling their prescriptions due to the high cost.
Without these Rx cards, pharmacies would lose in-store and retail visits due to their customers’ inability to afford drug prices.
What Are Drug Assistance Programs?
Drug assistance programs (or “patient assistance programs”) offer free or lower-cost medications to those who don’t have insurance, are underinsured, or can’t afford their prescription medication.
Each program has different benefits, and the benefits you’ll receive vary from provider to provider. Most of them will have qualification standards that may include, but are not limited to:
Being a permanent U.S. resident.
Proof that you are uninsured or underinsured.
Evidence that you cannot afford your medication.
Here are some of the most popular drug assistance programs in the U.S.:
RxAssist
RxAssist is dedicated to helping people learn how to use pharmacy company programs and various other resources to lower their medication costs.
These programs are run by pharmaceutical companies who want to ensure customers can access their products.
They offer a comprehensive database of drug assistance programs, along with online tools, resources, and articles so that the public can find all the information they need to save money and access their medication.
NeedyMeds
NeedyMeds offers a free prescription drug discount card that gives customers up to 80% off their medications.
Along with this, these cards can also be used to lower the cost of over-the-counter medications, medical supplies, and even pet prescriptions.
NeedyMeds has no income, insurance, age, or U.S. residency requirement unlike other discount cards, so anyone may be eligible to apply for a prescription discount card.
RxHope
RxHope offers an online-only service that helps low-income U.S. residents access free or low-cost prescriptions from their health care professional.
To request assistance, customers simply need to provide their contact details, list the medication they require, and send their application to their doctor, who will then send it to RxHope.
Our PolicyScout Final Verdict
Although over half of the U.S. population takes a prescription drug every month, many of them are forced to skip their medications because they can’t afford the cost.
But, with so many companies offering prescription discount cards, how do you know which you can trust?
Prescription discount cards are often a legitimate way to save money on your prescriptions. Here’s how you can decide which one is right for you:
Their network: Many prescription cards can be used at over 40,000 pharmacies nationwide. Before choosing one to sign up with, ensure that their network is available in your area.
Their reputation: Each of our recommendations is known to be a reliable company, so you can rest assured that you are receiving authentic prescription drugs.
Ease of use: Some prescription drug discount card providers have lengthy sign-up processes or complicated online ordering. Ensure the company you select is easy for you to use regularly.
Requirements: While some providers have stringent requirements and only offer assistance to low-income individuals and families, others have very few requirements. Compare the requirements of different providers to find one that meets your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Medication Cards
What are the best prescription discount cards?
According to our research, some of the best prescription discount cards currently on the market include:
GoodRx Gold.
Optum Perks.
SingleCare.
ScriptSave.
WellRx.
RxSaver.
How can I save money on prescriptions without insurance?
You can save money on your drug prescriptions in the following ways:
Use a prescription discount card.
Buy your drugs online.
Compare prices from different pharmacies.
Request a 90-day supply from your doctor.
Look for drug coupons.
Can you use discount cards with Medicare?
If you are on Medicare, you can only use a prescription discount card if you pay for your drugs out-of-pocket. If you pay for them from your Medicare drug plan, you cannot use a discount card.
Need Help Saving on Your Prescriptions?
If you need assistance in saving on your prescription medications, we’re here to help.
You can reach us at 1-888-912-2132 or email Help@PolicyScout.com, and one of our trained consultants will discuss your cost-saving options with you.