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Can you use Optum Perks with health insurance?

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Can I use Optum Perks with insurance?Which should I use?How do I get a coupon?Getting reimbursedSummary
Optum Perks discount coupons can help you save money on your medication. You can use them even if you have insurance, but you cannot combine them with insurance.
Medically reviewed by Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI
Written by Anisha Mansuri
Updated on

It can be stressful to navigate the U.S. healthcare system, especially when it comes to finding low cost prescription medications. With rising prices, you may be trying to understand how to keep costs low for yourself and your family.

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development reported that out of 41 countries worldwide, the United States had the highest pharmaceutical spending (money spent on medications) in 2022. In fact, most Americans typically spend over $1,400 per year on prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Needing prescription medication can often come with the added stress of unexpected expenses alongside having to manage your condition. However, many options can help you save on your prescription. One option is to use discount coupons like those offered by Optum Perks.

Optum Perks provides free and easy-to-redeem discount coupons that work at more than 64,000 pharmacies nationwide. These coupons do not expire and can be reused multiple times to help you save money on thousands of prescription medications.

Many people can find it confusing to understand whether they can use discount coupons if they have health insurance. Knowing your options can help you have a much easier experience when saving on your prescription.

Can I use Optum Perks if I have insurance?

Person standing at a pharmacy counter speaking with a pharmacist to depict questions about using Optum Perks discount card with health insurance.
Tom Werner/Getty Images

Yes, you can still use Optum Perks coupons even if you have insurance. But you can not use the discount in combination with your insurance. It can be helpful to understand both costs to determine which option will give you the cheapest price.

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If you pay without using your insurance or if you don’t have any insurance, Optum Perks can save you up to 80% on the cost of the medication. Compared with other prescription discount services, Optum Perks has lower prices on prescriptions 70% of the time.

The Health Policy Institute and Georgetown University found that 66% of U.S. adults take prescription medication, with almost half of them paying out of pocket.

Discount coupons like those offered by Optum Perks can help ensure that prescription drugs are more accessible and, more importantly, that those who need them are not taking less medication or going without due to expenses.

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How do I decide between Optum Perks and my insurance?

When deciding whether to use an Optum Perks discount coupon or your insurance, it can be helpful to identify the costs of the medication with each option. You can then decide whether your insurance or an Optum perks coupon will provide you with a cheaper price.

It can be easy to forget to show your pharmacist your coupon before they run your prescription. As long as payment has not been taken, you can still ask for your prescription to be rerun with the coupon included, so you’re not stuck with your insurance price.

How do I get a coupon for prescription drugs?

You can follow these steps to find the cheapest drug prices near you and get a discount coupon:

  1. Visit the Optum Perks site and enter your medication into the search bar.
  2. Ensure your medication dosage and quantity are correct.
  3. You will be shown a list of prices at various pharmacies that have been selected based on your location. Choose a pharmacy and click on “Get RX Coupon.”
  4. Select how you wish to receive your free coupon, either via text, email, or as a printable version.
  5. Present your Optum Perks coupon to your pharmacist to get your discounted medication.

It can often be helpful to use the Optum Perks website to identify your cheapest pharmacy option before a doctor gives you your prescription. This way, you can ask for your prescription to be sent directly to your chosen pharmacy, where you can use your coupon and receive the best price.

Consider downloading our Optum Perks app to find discounts quickly and save them directly to your phone.

Can I get reimbursed by my insurance if I use Optum Perks?

In most instances, you can still be reimbursed by your insurance plan, even if you use an Optum Perks discount coupon. Just remember to keep any receipts to submit to your insurance provider.

If you are unsure whether you can be reimbursed for your prescription, it can be helpful to speak with your insurance provider beforehand.

Summary

Optum Perks discount coupons can offer a great way to save money on your medication. They can still be used even if you have insurance, but they cannot be combined.

It can be helpful to determine the costs of both options and then decide whether your insurance or an Optum perks discount coupon will provide you with the cheapest cost for your medication.

Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on some prescription medications.

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