Best Prescription Discount Cards in 2024, Tested and Reviewed
SingleCare is our top pick for prescription discount cards thanks to its simple price-comparison tool and discounts on telemedicine and other health-care services.
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- Save up to 80% on prescriptions
- Accepted at over 35,000 pharmacies
- Unique features: price-comparison tool and telemedicine discounts
- Unique features: price-comparison tool and telemedicine discounts
- Accepted at over 59,000 pharmacies
- Unique features: easy-to-use app and medication search tool
- Save up to 90% on prescriptions
- Accepted at over 38,000 pharmacies
- Unique features: free delivery with select medications
- Save up to 90 percent on prescriptions
- Accepted at major pharmacies
- Paid and free plans available
- Save up to 85 percent on prescriptions
- Accepted at 70,000+ pharmacies nationwide
- No registration required
After testing and reviewing the best prescription discount cards, we narrowed down the list to our top recommendations for seniors.
After testing and reviewing the best prescription discount cards, we narrowed down the list to our top recommendations for seniors.
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Prescription discount cards are designed to help lower the cost of thousands of popular medications that older adults need. Although savings will vary depending on the card and the pharmacy, average users save up to 85 percent on prescriptions with a qualifying card or program.1 Based on our own testing and research, we’ve seen savings range anywhere from 20 to 90 percent. But it all depends on the card you choose, the pharmacy you use, and the medication you need. We spent over 100 hours comparing and trying prescription discount cards, and we narrowed down the list to our top picks. We evaluated each card for key factors such as savings, ease of use, and pharmacy network size.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at our top discount cards for seniors, the perks, important things to know, and more.
Here Are the Best Prescription Discount Cards in 2024
Our Methodology: How We Chose the Top Prescription Discount Cards
Our team tested every discount card on our list, including WellRx
Our research team spent hours finding the best prescription discount cards on the market, and we signed up for each one to see how well suited they are for seniors. After using each card, we narrowed down the options to our favorites based on several important criteria.
- Affordability: Many of the most popular prescription discount cards offer free services, but if you want to get the most savings, you may need to pay a subscription fee. We compared the costs of various providers to see which offered the best service at the most affordable prices.
- Savings: We tested different cards while purchasing common prescription medications to see how much we could save. The cards on our list offered some of the best savings and value.
- Pharmacy network size: Many national pharmacy chains have agreements with specific prescription discount card providers, which means you may prefer one card over another based on where you can use it. We compared cards to see which ones offered the largest networks of participating pharmacies.
- Ease of use: Some cards are a bit more user-friendly than others, but all the cards we included are designed to be easy to use.
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1. SingleCare - Best Price Comparison
What we like most
- Save up to 80% on prescriptions
- Accepted at over 35,000 pharmacies
- Unique features: price-comparison tool and telemedicine discounts
SingleCareOverview:
Comparing medication costs in the SingleCare app
SingleCare is a unique prescription discount card, since it’s one of the few that helps users compare prices on more than just medications. The convenient and free online tool can be used to check pricing and even find discounts for vision and dental preventive services such as examinations, something you can’t even do with GoodRx Gold. Pet medications can even be covered under the SingleCare program, as long as they are medications that also can be prescribed to humans. There are no deductibles or claims to contend with, and SingleCare offers discounts on doctor visits.
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We used SingleCare’s mobile app and website to quickly compare prices on prescription drugs, telehealth appointments, dental care, and vision care. There are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions, so everyone has access to the same low rates.
Pros & Cons:Pros About SingleCare
- Save up to 80 percent on prescriptions
- No credit card or enrollment forms
- Membership is 100 percent free for anyone, regardless of age or location
- One of the few discount programs with a telemedicine discount program
- Certain savings are available for dental and vision needs
Cons About SingleCare
- SingleCare has somewhat limited partnerships with pharmacies compared to other cards with more than 35,000 participating locations
- No upgradable plans
- Cannot be used with insurance
Summary:Pricing and Savings
SingleCare is completely free, which is a huge bonus for people on a fixed income. We like that you can sign up for SingleCare without spending a penny and enjoy all the benefits it has to offer. Having a paid plan is often the best way to secure better benefits, however, such as the higher savings you can get with a paid subscription to GoodRx Gold.
Pro Tip: Want to save even more on everyday purchases? Check out our guide to senior discounts and savings!
We can’t complain about savings with SingleCare. We tested the service on hydrochlorothiazide (also known as Microzide), a common medication used for high blood pressure. When we searched for the medication on SingleCare’s website, we found savings at participating pharmacies that ranged from about 85 percent to 99 percent. That means we had to pay only 1 percent of the retail price when we presented our SingleCare card at checkout!
Using a SingleCare coupon
Pharmacy Network
One downside of using SingleCare is that it doesn’t have a huge network of participating pharmacies compared to other brands on our list. There are about 35,000 locations nationwide that accept SingleCare, but they include popular pharmacies such as CVS, Walgreens, RiteAid, and Walmart. Compared to America’s Pharmacy and WellRx, which have roughly 59,000 and 65,000 participating pharmacies nationwide, respectively, SingleCare’s network is fairly small. If you want to use SingleCare, check the company’s website to make sure there are pharmacies in your area that accept their discounts.
Ease of Use
SingleCare is among the easiest prescription discount cards to use. It’s completely free, and you don’t have to become a member to enjoy the benefits. We simply looked up the medication we needed and got a discount card we could use from our phone, through email, or over text. If you plan to use SingleCare regularly, you can sign up for a free membership using your name, date of birth, and email address. You’ll then have a card you can present at your pharmacy whenever you need it.
Keep in mind that, like most prescription discount cards, you can’t use SingleCare with insurance. If you have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, for example, you’ll need to use either your Part D coverage or your SingleCare discount card. You won’t be able to double-dip with both on the same prescription. The benefit of a prescription discount card is that you can compare prices to find the best rates.
» Our Full Review: SingleCare Pharmacy Prescription Discount Card
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2. America’s Pharmacy - Most Versatile
What we like most
- Unique features: price-comparison tool and telemedicine discounts
- Accepted at over 59,000 pharmacies
- Unique features: easy-to-use app and medication search tool
Overview:
Using America's Pharmacy coupon
America’s Pharmacy is an accessible and convenient prescription discount card for seniors that partners with 59,000 pharmacies across the country. The company’s easy-to-use app and medication search tool minimize the learning curve for older adults, even if they aren’t tech-savvy. Users can use the discount code straight from the app or have it texted or emailed to them. Participants can save up to 80 percent on medications, with average savings of around 66 percent. That doesn’t quite compete with SingleCare or GoodRx Gold, but the larger network makes it more accessible to seniors nationwide.
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Better yet, the card has no limit on the number of uses, and a whole household can use the same card. Like SingleCare and WellRx, America’s Pharmacy lets you use the card for savings on your pet’s medications (with certain limitations). The app is user-friendly and intuitive. You can even “favorite” prescriptions and pharmacies in the app, which helps you save time and money when your prescriptions are due for a refill. We really like that feature, because it makes it easy to save on medications you need on a recurring basis.
Pros & Cons:Pros About America’s Pharmacy
- Receive your card by text, email, or the app
- Companion smartphone app with useful features
- Can also be used for pet medications
- No subscription or enrollment fees
- No detailed personal information required to sign up
Cons About America’s Pharmacy
- Savings can vary substantially
- Available only in the U.S.
Summary:Pricing and Savings
Like the Choice Drug Card, America’s Pharmacy is completely free. We signed up and searched for Benicar, another common medication for high blood pressure, using the easy-to-use drug lookup tool on the America’s Pharmacy app (you can also check prices on the company’s website).
Without insurance, the generic version of Benicar costs around $180. The best deal we found cost only $9.63! That said, your experience will vary based on your location and medication.
Comparing prescription costs in the America s Pharmacy app
Pharmacy Network
America’s Pharmacy has a nationwide network of 59,000 participating pharmacies, including popular chains such as Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, Kroger, and Albertsons. America’s Pharmacy isn’t accepted at as many pharmacies as WellRx, but its network is nearly twice as large as SingleCare.
Ease of Use
One of the things we love about America’s Pharmacy is its simplicity. We just downloaded the mobile app and started searching for our medications. We could also have our discount card sent to us via text or email. The entire process took less than a minute!
FYI: Like most prescription discount cards, America’s Pharmacy can’t be used with insurance — including Medicare or Medicaid.
Once we signed up, we could use our card to search for our medications and find the best prices in our area. You can use the website or the app, and all you have to do is input the name of your medication (you’ll also want to make sure the dosage is correct). Even if you’re not a member, you can use the website’s free lookup tool and get a coupon to print out or show to your pharmacist directly on your phone.
» Our Full Review: America's Pharmacy Prescription Discount Card
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3. WellRx - Best App
What we like most
- Save up to 90% on prescriptions
- Accepted at over 38,000 pharmacies
- Unique features: free delivery with select medications
Overview:
Using the WellRx mobile app to find prescription discounts
WellRx is another easy-to-use prescription discount card. Savings average about 65 percent, but they sometimes reach 80 percent or more on the most widely used medications and even higher discounts may be available for generic substitutes. Because WellRx is accepted at more than 65,000 pharmacies nationwide, you’ll likely find a nearby pharmacy that accepts it. The company also offers a price-comparison tool that simplifies your search for the lowest prices on prescription medications.
The company’s mobile app offers unique features we haven’t seen from other providers, such as a Medication Chest with a saved list of your prescriptions and interactions and guidance on groceries and their nutrition facts.
Pros & Cons:Pros About WellRx
- No need to fill out an application or claim form
- 65,000 participating pharmacies
- Side-by-side comparison tool
- Can be used on medications for certain pets
- Unique mobile features like Med Chest and grocery guidance
Cons About WellRx
- Must have a membership to enjoy discounts
- WellRx cards are currently accepted only in the United States
- No upgradable plans
Summary:Prices and Savings
Like SingleCare, WellRx is a free prescription discount card with no paid options. It’s great for older adults who don’t want to spend to save, but it also means there aren’t ways to increase your savings or benefits. Since the savings are pretty high, that wasn’t a huge deal for us.
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The type 2 diabetes drug Metformin, for example, typically retails for about $11 per 30 pills. We used the WellRx free lookup tool (which is available even if you’re not a member) and found prices as low as $4 — a nearly 64 percent discount. It wasn’t as good as the savings we got with SingleCare, but cutting your prescription drug costs by more than half (for free) is still a great deal!
Comparing prescription discounts in the WellRx app
Pharmacy Network
More than 65,000 pharmacies nationwide accept WellRx discount cards. One thing we liked about WellRx is that it’s accepted at many smaller pharmacies in our area, which means you may not have to switch from your hometown pharmacy to enjoy savings. If you use the drug lookup tool, you’ll see plenty of recognizable names like Walgreens, Kroger, and CVS too! WellRx has one of the largest pharmacy networks of any provider on this list, with the exception of GoodRx Gold, which requires a paid membership.
Ease of Use
With WellRx, all you need to do is present your card or pull up a discount code on your smartphone via the WellRx app, and the discount will be applied toward your purchase. Everyone in your family can use the same card, and nearly all medications will qualify for a discount. Unlike America’s Pharmacy, however, WellRx requires you to sign up. Fortunately, the sign-up process is fast and easy, and you can get your card sent to you by email or text. You can also download the card directly from the website and print out a physical copy.
» Useful Resource: Medication Dispensers for Seniors
One of our favorite things about WellRx is the mobile app. It has lots of extra features you won’t find with other cards. There is a feature called Grocery Guidance, for instance, where we could scan or search for our favorite grocery items. The app gave us a health rating for each item, along with nutrition information and healthier alternatives if applicable. You can also put all your prescriptions in the WellRx Medicine Chest, which shows all your current medications and any interactions, and lets you set reminders for refills.
Using WellRx s grocery guidance feature
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4. GoodRx Gold - Best Paid Prescription Discount Card
What we like most
- Save up to 90 percent on prescriptions
- Accepted at major pharmacies
- Paid and free plans available
Overview:
Using the GoodRx mobile app
Arguably one of the most widely used and accepted prescription discount cards, GoodRx Gold makes it easy to find great rates on medications. GoodRx Gold can be used at tens of thousands of retailers, big box stores, and grocers. The company also has a convenient app that allows users to pull up discount coupons and print or save them to their online wallet. Patients simply provide the pharmacist with the coupon or allow them to scan a barcode on the smartphone app, and the discount is automatically applied to the purchase.
Money Tip: Looking to save even more on everyday purchases? Check out our guide to 13 things that are free for seniors.
GoodRx Gold also offers free mail delivery. If your prescription is at a brick-and-mortar pharmacy, that isn’t a problem. During checkout in the app, you can provide the name and phone number of your current pharmacy, and GoodRx’s Patient Advocacy Team will take care of transferring your prescription. If you have a paper prescription from your provider, they can help you transfer that too.
Pros & Cons:Pros About GoodRx Gold
- Up to 90 percent off many prescriptions, with over 1,000 prescriptions for less than $10 per month
- Accepted at over 70,000 pharmacies nationwide
- Free Rx mail delivery on over 950 medications
- Higher savings with Gold versus the free GoodRx product
- Gold membership is still useful with insurance
Cons About GoodRx Gold
- Savings may vary among pharmacies
- Not accepted overseas
- Requires a monthly paid subscription
Summary:Pricing and Savings
You can enjoy GoodRx for free, but it won’t give you all the same perks and savings. The free version of GoodRx, for example, has much smaller discounts on telehealth visits and a cap of 80 percent discounts on most drugs, as opposed to 90 percent discounts with GoodRx Gold. These are still great rates, but you can get the most out of your prescription discount card if you upgrade to GoodRx Gold.
The catch is that GoodRx Gold requires a monthly membership, which costs $9.99 per month for individuals or $19.99 per month for families. For comparison, every other prescription discount card on our list is free. That means you’ll need to make sure you’re actually saving more than the cost of your discount plan. That said, GoodRx Gold is widely accepted and offers excellent discounts and perks, like medication delivery, so it may be worth the cost.
» Our Full Review: GoodRX Prescription Discount Card Review
If you want to use the free version, GoodRx also has a free rewards program. You can earn points just for using your card, which can be redeemed for more prescription discounts or gift cards at popular retailers including Amazon, Walmart, and Starbucks.
Pharmacy Network
GoodRx Gold has one of the largest networks of any prescription discount card provider. It works at around 70,000 locations nationwide, including Publix, Kroger, Walgreens, CVS, and Sam’s Club. That makes it far more likely that you’ll be able to find a nearby pharmacy that accepts your discount card.
Ease of Use
Even older adults with insurance are likely to find times when the GoodRx Gold prescription card will come in handy. If a new drug is prescribed with a high copay or your deductible is not met for the year, for example, GoodRx offers an option that may cost much less than the price with insurance. Plus, you can easily compare the cost of your medications at all your local pharmacies in the mobile app. Our experience with GoodRx was very positive, especially with the app, which is easy to navigate and saves information for past and recurring prescriptions.
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5. Choice Drug Card - Most Accessible Prescription Discount Card
What we like most
- Save up to 85 percent on prescriptions
- Accepted at 70,000+ pharmacies nationwide
- No registration required
Choice Drug CardOverview:
Comparing prescription costs on the Choice Drug Card website
Choice Drug Card offers savings of up to 85 percent on prescription drugs without the hassle of signing up or submitting any personal information. Choice Drug Card is perfect for people who don’t want to use a mobile app, since the company doesn’t offer one. With options to receive a card by text, email, fax, or PDF download, older adults can easily access a discount card and instantly start saving on prescription drugs at over 35,000 nationwide locations.
» Helpful Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Insurance for Seniors
Pros & Cons:Pros About Choice Drug Card
- No fees
- Saves seniors up to 85 percent on prescriptions
- No registration required
- Spanish-language cards
- Allows separate cards for eligible pets
- Straightforward website
Cons About Choice Drug Card
- Accepted at only about 35,000 pharmacies nationwide
- No mobile app
Summary:Pricing and Savings
Like nearly every provider on this list (except for GoodRx Gold), Choice Drug Card is 100 percent free. You don’t have to pay anything to enjoy discounts of up to 85 percent. We tried Choice Drug Card by searching the prices in our area for Norvasc (amlodipine besylate), a calcium channel blocker used for high blood pressure. The standard retail price for 30 pills (5 mg) is around $30, but prices can vary substantially based on your location. We found prices as low as $6.21, giving us a 79 percent discount on the medication! That exceeded our expectations and beat out many other providers, including WellRx and SingleCare.
Pharmacy Network
Unfortunately, not everyone will be able to take advantage of Choice Drug Card savings. The prescription discount card is accepted at more than 35,000 pharmacies nationwide, but that’s half as many pharmacies as GoodRx Gold. Fortunately, you can still get discounted prices through Choice Drug Card at major chains such as CVS, Target, and Safeway.
Ease of Use
Since Choice Drug Card does not require you to register, it’s pretty easy to use. All we had to do was go to the company’s website and click “Get a Card.” From there, we could choose to have our card sent to us via text, email, or a PDF that we could print. We never had to provide personal information, and we could even get our card in Spanish or order a special card for our pet!
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The biggest downside was that there was no mobile app like we got with GoodRx Gold or America’s Pharmacy. That meant we had to use the website to apply for a card and find our discounted prescriptions. For seniors who don’t like apps or simply don’t need them, though, Choice Drug Card is a user-friendly option.
The Runners-Up
There are a few prescription discount cards that didn’t make our list, but they could still be a solid option for some seniors.
- ValpakRX offers savings of up to 80 percent at over 35,000 pharmacies at no cost.
- Optum Perks is accepted at over 64,000 pharmacies, and users can save up to 80 percent on medications.
- FamilyWize offers discounts of up to 80 percent on over 50,000 medications.
What Is a Prescription Discount Card?
Prescription discount cards are widely distributed in medical settings, by grocers, and at pharmacies. Your doctor may even recommend a particular card that will best serve your needs. The cards help consumers save thousands of dollars each year on the cost of prescription medications, which are often priced so high that they’re out of reach even with insurance coverage that may require meeting a high deductible.
Pro Tip: Using a discount card on prescription drugs often means the cost doesn’t go toward your insurance deductible, so it’s important to consider whether a discount card or your insurance will offer the best long-term value.
Unlike most health insurance plans, a prescription discount card typically never caps out, regardless of the cost of prescriptions. There are also no deductibles or copays with the cards, and most of them are totally free. That’s possible because companies that are established as pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) negotiate prices for covered drugs with local and national pharmacies. In turn, partnered pharmacies agree to offer a set range of discounts to patients who present their membership cards.
Watch the video below with SeniorLiving.org Editor-in-Chief Jeff Hoyt to learn more about prescription discount cards and ways to save on your medications.
What Do Prescription Discount Cards Cover?
Prescription discount cards are designed to be used like traditional coupons, except the coupons are applicable toward the price of prescription medications. Many providers offer discounts exceeding 90 percent, and several common generic medications may even be free with a discount card at certain pharmacies. They’re not an insurance replacement, but they can offer people who are uninsured or underinsured a viable way to get the medicine they need at an affordable price.
» Save On Healthcare: Best Medicare Supplement Plans in 2024
Some prescription cards offer extra perks too. Certain companies have made agreements with local optometrists and dentists to offer discounts on preventive annual examinations and other services. If you have pets, you can even ask your veterinarian to transfer any medications that your pet may need into “human” dosages. Many pharmacies can fill those orders as usual at a discounted price.
How Much Does a Prescription Discount Card Cost?
A prescription discount card typically won’t cost anything. The majority of top programs, such as America’s Pharmacy and WellRx, are free. GoodRx Gold is one exception, because it has a $9.99 monthly subscription fee. The company offers extra perks we think are worth the cost, but there are plenty of free alternatives if you don’t want to pay.
FYI: Seniors have access to many exclusive discounts and savings. Take advantage of these seven discount cards for seniors.
Discount card providers also do not ask any health questions, require copays, or ask for credit card details. You simply download the app, print a coupon, or display your discount card and the discounts are yours for the taking — no questions asked. The best part about the programs is that they typically offer a handy search function that not only tells you who accepts their discount cards, but also offers comparison pricing for local pharmacies.
Why Is a Prescription Discount Card a Good Investment for Seniors?
Even older adults with a good health insurance plan may find a discount card to be useful for certain prescriptions. Many discount medication cards even provide discounts that are less expensive than the copay alone, so with no out-of-pocket costs, there’s no reason not to try one of the cards. Seniors don’t have to bring their card every time they need to pick up a prescription, since pharmacies you have previously used will keep the information on file just like they do with insurance details.
Did You Know? One in five seniors on Medicare report skipping or rationing medications because of cost, and roughly one-third report difficulty paying for prescriptions.2
The cost of prescription medications keeps increasing.3 With that in mind, it’s no surprise that millions of Americans go without the medications they need because of cost. Many older adults are on multiple medications, which can be very difficult for those on a fixed income or tight budget. By comparing rates with each reputable discount card provider, however, seniors should be able to find options within their budget for the medicines they need.
WebMD. (2023). Prescription Savings Programs: Are They Worth It?
Medicare Plans. (2022). 1 in 5 Seniors on Medicare Report Skipping Prescription Medications Due to High Cost and Inflation.
Department of Health and Human Services. (2023). Changes in the List Prices of Prescription Drugs, 2017-2023