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Best Prescription Discount Cards in 2021
How We Chose The Top 6 Prescription Discount Cards
We identified the top 10 prescription discount cards and narrowed it down to 6 of our favorites based on a number of criteria. We looked at affordability, service, ease of use, and other factors to rank the best prescription discount cards on the market. Take a look at the discount cards we have deemed the best of the best.
Even seniors with insurance are likely to find times when GoodRx Gold will come in handy. Perhaps a new drug is prescribed with a high copay or your deductible is not met for the year. DrugRx offers an option that might actually cost much less than the price with insurance. Seniors appreciate that GoodRx Gold helps finish prescription names in the search bar, so spelling complex drug names isn’t a problem. Side by side comparisons and super low rates make GoodRx Gold a great standby for the insured and is a great resource for those without coverage.
To learn more, head over to our latest GoodRx Gold review.
WellRx is great for seniors who seek convenience concerning discounts for prescription drugs. All one needs to do is present their card or pull up their discount code on their smartphone via the WellRx app, and the discount is immediately applied towards the purchase. Everyone in the family can use the same card, and nearly all medications will qualify for some form of discount.
Want to give it a try? Our in-depth WellRx review covers everything you need to know.
America’s Pharmacy is an excellent choice for seniors looking for savings and versatility on their medications. Their app is user-friendly, with the ability to “Favorite” prescriptions and pharmacies in the app, which in turn saves users time and money when it’s time to refill a prescription.
For a closer look at this discount card, read through our hands-on America’s Pharmacy review.
Seniors looking to save money without hassles can rely on SingleCare to offer great discounts through their partnering pharmacies. Use a computer or a phone app to quickly compare prices on prescription drugs, video doctor visits, dental and even vision care with SingleCare. There are no exclusions for pre-existing conditions, so everyone has access to these exceptionally low rates on the drugs they need most.
For more info, take a look at this year’s SingleCare review.
Whether you’re insured or not, ValpakRx can still save you money when you buy medications. A ValpakRx card is great for seniors who purchase medications on a frequent or infrequent basis, and want an uncomplicated way to save up to 85 percent on their prescriptions.
Head to our hands-on ValpakRx review for more details on this prescription discount card.
Seniors who don’t have insurance coverage or who need to take medications that Medicare doesn’t cover, OPTUM Perks might provide much-needed relief to the pocketbook. There are no limitations on how often the card can be utilized, nor are there any limits on how much one can save annually with their discounts. Seniors can print coupons on the go, show their card at the pharmacy, or allow the checkout attendant to scan the barcode on their smartphone’s OPTUM Perks app.
The FamilyWize discount card is great option for seniors who lack traditional health insurance or those who have a policy that has limitations that aren’t ample enough to cover the costs of their primary prescription needs. The card is accepted at tens of thousands of pharmacies nationwide, and there is no need to fill out any forms, offer credit card information or pay anything out of pocket to become a member of this money saving program.
Prescription discount cards are widely distributed in medical settings, grocers and pharmacies, and your doctor might even recommend a particular card that will serve your needs the best. These cards can literally help consumers save thousands of dollars each year on the cost of prescription medications which are often priced so high they become out of reach, even with insurance coverage that might require a huge deductible to be met.
Unlike most medical and health insurance policies, a medication discount card typically never caps out, regardless of the cost of any prescription. Furthermore, there will generally never be a cost associated with using any type of prescription drug card, as they are free and there are no deductibles or copays. This is possible because companies who are established as a pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) negotiates 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 card. Take a moment to watch this video from the Senior Living YouTube channel describing prescription discount cards and other discounts for more information on the topic.
Prescription discount cards are primarily designed to be used similarly to a traditional coupon, except these coupons are applicable toward the price of prescription medications. Many providers offer discounts exceeding 90 percent off the price, and several common generic medications may actually be completely free with a discount card at certain pharmacies. While it’s not a replacement for insurance, it can offer those who are uninsured or underinsured a viable way to get the medicine they desperately need.
There are a few prescription cards such as the two mentioned above that offer a few supplemental perks to using their discount cards. Certain card companies have made agreements with local optometrists and dentists that allow them to offer discounts on preventive annual examinations and other services. Furthermore, if you ask your veterinarian to transfer any medications that your pet may need into ‘human’ dosages, many pharmacies can fill these orders as usual with the discounted price.
As a general rule, a prescription discount card should cost you absolutely nothing. The majority of reputable programs such as DrugRx and WellRx will never ask you to pay for anything to use their cards and receive a discount. In fact, the bulk of these companies do not require any type of patient registration, so you don’t need to give anyone personal or private information.
Discount card providers also do not ask any health questions, require co-pays, or ask for credit card details. You simply download the app, print a coupon, or display your participation card and the discounts are yours for the taking—no questions asked. The best part about these programs is that they typically offer a handy search function that not only tells you who accepts their discount cards, but they will offer detailed pricing down to the penny and even compare prices between nearby retailers.
Even seniors who have a good health insurance plan may find a discount card to be useful for certain prescriptions. Many discount medication cards have been able to give patients discounts that are less expensive than the copay alone, so with no out of pocket costs to you, there’s no reason to not look into having one or more of these cards on hand. Seniors don’t have to be concerned about bringing their card every time they need to pick up a prescription, as pharmacies you have previously used will keep the information on file just like they do with insurance details.
The cost of prescription medications only seems to get higher and higher as insurance and Medicare coverage rates are lower. With that in mind, it’s no surprise that millions of Americans go without medications they need for better health. Seniors have special needs and concerns, and that often requires one or more daily drugs that can really hit the budget hard. However, by comparing rates with each reputable discount card provider, seniors should be able to find options nearby and within their budget for the medicines they need.
Since graduating from Harvard with an honors degree in Statistics, Jeff has been creating content in print, online, and on television. Much of his work has been dedicated to informing seniors on how to live better lives. As Editor-in-Chief of the personal… Learn More About Jeff Hoyt