Pharmacy prescription savings programs and discount options
Pharmacy discount cards, which are available at many major retail pharmacies and grocery chains, help reduce the cost of prescription medications. These programs are generally open to the public and cards are provided to people of all income levels. This guide summarizes the discount cards that are offered by major pharmacy chains and retailers. It explains how the programs work and what is required to use them.
In fact, many people use these discount cards even when insured, particularly when a drug is not covered or carries a high copayment. Savings can generally apply to both generic and some brand name medications, depending on the retailer and the terms / conditions. The cards even benefit the uninsured as health insurance is not required for access, but pricing obtained through these programs is usually separate from insurance coverage. The prescription drug and all healthcare related information on this page is provided for informational purposes only on how discounts work and what is offered. Learn more about the NeedHelpPayingBills.com medication information and how it is used / verified.
Who often uses and benefits from the discount cards?
Discount card programs exist to offset the costs of a wide variety of medications and they can help reduce out-of-pocket spending for common prescriptions. Generics usually receive the deepest discounts, but some programs also apply savings to brand name drugs, insulin, and medications used to treat chronic conditions.
These discount cards, which are often free, are available to anyone. That being said, they are commonly used by people without insurance, households with limited income, and seniors enrolled in Medicare, including Medicare Part D. Insurance plans often leave gaps in coverage when it comes to paying for medications and premiums do not guarantee full payment of drug costs. Thus a discount card may help people save money. Purchases made through these programs are typically paid out of pocket and usually do not count toward insurance deductibles or annual caps.
Retailers and pharmacies offer discount cards, loyalty programs, or everyday other low-price generic lists. Some programs are completely free while others require a low annual membership fee. The structure varies by store. Some offer automatic discounts with no enrollment, while others require registration or payment before savings apply. Medicaid and Medicare recipients can often use these programs, including as one way to save money using Medicare Part D. Though some retailer plans exclude government-insured customers from certain paid memberships.
Pharmacies with free or low-cost discount cards
Many pharmacies provide free discount cards (or they have an annual enrollment) or offer mobile applications. Savings on medications are generally available at the register once a prescription is processed through the retailer’s pricing system instead of insurance.
Costco operates the Member Prescription Program. The program itself does not charge a fee to get the discount, but access may require a Costco membership depending on your state law. In states that require pharmacies to be open to the general public, non-members may use the pharmacy and joining the program without joining.
- Where membership is required to enroll into the Member Prescription Program, the annual cost is sixty dollars. Non-members may also enter as a guest of a member or shop with a Costco Cash Card purchased by a member. The program often offers some of the lowest prices available on generic and brand name prescriptions when insurance is not used. Always keep in mind that discounts can be significant and may also apply to pet medications. More information on the Costco program is on this link https://www.costco.com/member-prescription-program.html.
CVS Pharmacy offers the CVS Rx Savings Finder. It is a free to use online tool that shows discounted prices on some prescriptions filled at CVS when insurance is not used. The discount that is discovered using the tool can be shown at the pharmacy counter when the prescription is filled. I addition to those discounts, CVS pharmacies also accept third-party prescription discount cards that can be presented instead of insurance with more information here https://www.cvs.com/pharmacy.
H-E-B, a major retailer in Texas, offers everyday low pricing on generic medications at its pharmacies. Prices commonly start at four dollars for a thirty-day supply, with ninety-day supplies priced lower per dose. Discounts are available at their pharmacies without enrollment fees. The deepest savings for one of Texas’s major retailers are usually seen when purchasing extended supplies of common generics with more details on the H.E.B pharmacy here https://www.heb.com/pharmacy/common/landing.
Hy-Vee provides a similar everyday low-price generic program across its Midwestern locations. Many generics that are sold at its locations are priced at four dollars for thirty days, with discounted ninety-day options that generally remain below twenty-five dollars. No paid membership or even a discount card is required to access these prices as listed on the website link here https://www.hy-vee.com/health/four-dollar-generics.
Kroger and its affiliated grocery chains operate the Kroger Rx Savings Club. Some of the stores / brands Krogers operates include Dillons, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, King Soopers, QFC, Ralph's, Roundy's, as well as Smith's. Enrollment is required to get the discounts. The annual fee is thirty-six dollars for an individual or seventy-two dollars for a group of up to five people, including pets for veterinary prescriptions.
- The program from one of the nation’s largest grocery store chains covers a wide range of generic medications, with monthly prices that remain low and predictable. In fact, as another benefit several commonly prescribed generics are offered at no cost to members. Additional discounts may apply to other prescription drugs, including name brand medications, not on the fixed-price list. The program is available in most states where Kroger operates, with limited exceptions due to local regulations. Learn more from this link about all the Kroger programs https://www.krogerhealthsavings.com/.
 Publix offers a limited but well-known discount finder program for select generic medications. Prices for eligible drugs can be as low as seven dollars and fifty cents for a ninety-day supply. The Publix discount program also provides certain medications at no charge, including some antibiotics and drugs used to manage chronic conditions such as blood pressure and diabetes. No enrollment or annual fee is required for these offers, though the list of covered medications or free prescription drugs is relatively small. Learn more about the Publix savings from this link https://www.publix.com/pharmacy/pharmacy-services/rxmarketplace.
Sam's Club operates the Prescription Savings Program for members only. The program covers hundreds of generic medications at offers members of the club low monthly prices and includes a small number of free prescriptions in participating states. Additional discounts may apply to brand name drugs based on state and other factors. Access may require a paid annual membership which ranges from $50 a year and goes up from there, though pharmacy access rules vary by state. While a membership is needed for the discounts, promotional offers to becoming a member of Sam’s Club and trial access are sometimes available.
Walgreens offers the Walgreens Rx Savings Finder. It is a free tool that can show discounted prices on some prescriptions that are offered at Walgreens when insurance is not used. The results discovered on the search tool can be saved and shown at the pharmacy counter when a prescription is filled, this passing on the lower price to the shopper. Search the link here for savings https://www.walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy/rx-savings-finder.jsp.
Walmart operates a widely used generic pricing program with no enrollment fee or membership required. Prices typically start at four dollars for a thirty-day supply and ten dollars for ninety days. The list of eligible medications is published / updated by Walmart but it changes periodically, and availability may vary by location. A valid prescription is the only requirement for access with details on the savings at this link https://www.walmart.com/cp/4-prescript
ions/1078664.
Winn-Dixie provides discounted generic medications at its pharmacy counters in Southeastern states. Prices for the select prescription drugs offered commonly mirror other low-cost programs that competitors offer, with four-dollar thirty-day supplies and ten-dollar ninety-day supplies. No membership or registration is required to receive these prices with the details listed here https://www.winndixie.com/pharmacy.
Final tips on saving money from prescription drug discount plans at a pharmacy
When comparing pharmacy discount programs or the everyday pricing offered, the price differences for generics are often small. Availability of a specific medication, whether someone already shops there or not for other items and store proximity are usually the deciding factors. Always keep in mind that membership based programs may provide additional savings for households with multiple prescriptions, but the free programs often provide comparable pricing for common generics.
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