About prescription drug discount programs

One of the ways people can continue affording prescription drug medication is to use prescription drug discount programs.

Prescription drug discount programs pass savings onto customers by negotiating with pharmacies on buying medications in bulk. 

These negotiations can enable some of the best prices possible, both locally and nationally.

It’s important to understand that prescription drug discount programs aren’t a form of health insurance, and can generally only reduce the amount you pay for some medications.

How do prescription discount cards work?

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the cost of prescription drugs rose an average of 15% in 2022. This can cause significant difficulties for the nearly 50% of people in the United States who take prescription drugs regularly.

A 2019 study of a prescription drug program indicates that, over the course of 8 years, the program resulted in a total savings of nearly $200 million, or roughly $18 per prescription.

Often, you don’t need to register your details with a prescription drug program to use the card or discount.

You can download or print a discount code to bring to your local pharmacy and present it when paying for your order. The pharmacy then applies discounts immediately.

You can choose from different programs, but most offer savings of 60–90%.

If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Search for a specific drug here.

How to choose a prescription drug program

When choosing a program, it’s important to find one that offers discounts for the type of medication that you need.

A pharmacy has to be in a program’s network, so it’s important to check your local pharmacy is part of the program you’re considering.

You can use most prescription drug discount programs by visiting the company’s website and searching for the drug you need. Many also offer apps, such as the Optum Perks prescription discount app, that you can download to your device.

The app can help you compare drug costs and manage your own discounts. Many also feature a search function to help you determine the pharmacies that accept the program. 

Depending on the program, some other potential benefits include offering healthcare helplines or virtual doctor visits.

Discount cards and insurance 

You can’t typically use discount cards with your insurance, but in some cases, the discount program may be cheaper than the out-of-pocket costs from an insurer. You can find out by comparing the cost of your medication with a pharmacy and discount program.

You can’t use prescription discount cards alongside health insurance, but you can use healthcare savings accounts like Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs).

You can use the money from these tax-free accounts to pay for eligible medical expenses, as determined by the Internal Revenue Service.

It’s important to keep in mind that using your discount card instead of your insurance means that your purchase will not contribute to an insurance deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.

Can the pharmacy refuse your prescription discount card?

The short answer is no, a pharmacy can’t refuse your card, because the discount is already negotiated. But they may deter you from using it because it may be complicated or time consuming for them to enter the discount.

It’s important to know that you can use the discount offered, and you should feel confident in discussing this with a pharmacy in case of any pushback.

If you do encounter any difficulties at the pharmacy, you can take your service to another.

Brand-name vs. generic drugs

You can use prescription drug discount programs for both brand-name and generic medications, but generic drugs commonly offer greater savings. 

A 2023 study of heart failure medications indicated that prescription discount cards offered significant savings on generic options, but costs for brand-name versions remained high.  

Repeat prescriptions

It’s important not to assume the cost of your medication will stay the same.

Drug costs can vary, but the discounted drug price should always save you money. Checking the drug costs regularly can help you consistently get the best price.

Knowing your rights

Transparency in drug costs is one of our most important rights, and the Truthinrx campaign is working with pharmaceutical companies, insurers, and pharmacy benefits managers to make improvements.

Summary

Prescription drug discount programs are a valuable tool to help people better afford the medications they need, particularly if they don’t have insurance. They can typically save you between 60–90% of the cost.

Researching your options is key to making the best savings, and even though you can’t use discount cards alongside insurance, you can use the money from HSAs and FSAs to pay for your discounted prescriptions.

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