Can I use Optum Perks if I have Medicare or Medicaid?

Prescription drug coupons and discount cards, such as the ones Optum Perks offers, can help you save up to 80% on the cost of your medications.

Medicare and Medicaid may also offer ways to get your prescriptions at a lower out-of-pocket cost.

I have Medicare, can I use Optum Perks drug coupons?

Medicare is generally for people ages 65 years and older, as well as with certain medical conditions and disabilities. 

Medicare is divided into four parts and each works slightly differently: 

• Part A: Covers inpatient hospital care and some home healthcare services, including medications you may need as an inpatient.
• Part B: Covers some outpatient care and medications you may need to take at home.
• Part C: Also known as Medicare Advantage, Part C combines Part A and B into one plan. Sometimes, plan D is included as well. Private insurance companies, approved by Medicare, offer this plan. 
• Part D: You can purchase part D coverage, which covers many — but not all — prescription drugs. You may be able to use Optum Perks discounts alongside this. 

If you have Medicare, you can use prescription coupons and discount cards, such as Optum Perks, to get a better price on your medications.

You cannot use both Medicare and the discount card or coupon at the same time. You’ll have to use one or the other at the moment of filling your prescriptions, because you cannot combine discounts.

A possible exception is using both the Optum Perks discount card program and Medicare Part D. Your pharmacist may let you know if you can use both simultaneously when getting your medications.

Keep in mind, though, that discounted medication purchases do not count toward your deductible. 

The best way to find out how much you can save on prescription medications is to ask your pharmacist.

You may show them the Optum Perks discount card or coupon along with your Medicare insurance information, and they’ll let you know whether you can combine these programs, or which of them helps you save more.

With the Optum Perks discount card, you can save up to 80% on the total cost of your medications.

I have Medicaid, can I use Optum Perks Drug Coupons?

Medicaid operates differently from Medicare. It covers some medical costs, including prescription medications, for individuals who meet certain eligibility criteria. These criteria often relate to income, state of residence, or age.

Medicaid also helps reduce medication costs through the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program (MDRP). This is a federal initiative that requires drug manufacturers to provide rebates to state Medicaid programs, ultimately ensuring more affordable access to essential drugs for Medicaid beneficiaries.

If you have Medicaid, you can use Optum Perks drug coupons or the Optum Perks discount card instead of Medicaid. Similar to Medicare, you cannot use both the MDRP and Optum Perks simultaneously. 

To find out if your medication is more affordable to you using Medicaid rebates or Optum Perks discounts, you can ask a pharmacist for advice. They can check their system and compare the total cost of your medication with each. 

How do prescription discount cards and coupons work?

Prescription discount cards and coupons provide significant savings on the retail price of medications. 

Here’s how they differ:

• Discount card programs: These cards are reusable and not specific to one medication. You can use the same card to save on multiple medications. Present the card to a pharmacist each time you need a prescription filled. Some cards require memberships, but the Optum Perks Discount Card is completely free to you and no personal information or credit card is requested. 
• Drug coupons: These are typically specific to a particular medication. You can check if there is a coupon for your medication, download said coupon, and then present it to your local pharmacist when filling the prescription. Optum Perks drug coupons are also free of charge and you can use the same coupon over and over for the same medication — just check regularly, as discount percentages may change. 

Most pharmacies across the nation accept both prescription discount cards and drug-specific coupons.

For instance, more than 64,000 pharmacies across the nation accept the Optum Perks Discount Card, including Walgreens, Walmart, and CVS. This card covers thousands of medications.

Optum Perks prescription discount program is not a type of insurance. This means you don’t need to meet any requirements or conditions to use it. You can print your free drug discount card right away or have it texted or emailed to you. 

To use Optum Perks drug coupons, search for the medication you need and download the coupon. You can then show it on your phone at your preferred pharmacy, at no additional cost to you.

You may also want to check the Optum Perks app.

If you have Medicare or Medicaid, you may want to compare the out-of-pocket medication costs when using your government-funded program or Optum Perks discounts.

You can ask a pharmacist for assistance. They will help you determine which option offers the better price for your specific medication.

If for some reason your pharmacy isn’t accepting Optum Perks cards or coupons at that moment, try another nearby pharmacy or call the Optum Perks customer service line at 1-866-407-8901.

Summary

Even if you have Medicare or Medicaid, you can still use Optum Perks drug coupons or the discount card program to save on your prescription medications.

But you can’t generally use your government-funded program and Optum Perks at the same time. 

A pharmacist can help you compare the discounts offered by each option so you can find the best possible price for your prescription medications. 

Whether you have Medicare, Medicaid, or neither, Optum Perks discounts can be a valuable tool to help you save up to 80% on the cost of your medications.