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As we age, chronic conditions can worsen. Luckily, prescription medication prescribed by your physician can provide relief from your symptoms. But with the price of medication continuing to rise, the cost of drugs can be a hard pill to swallow for many older adults.1
These costs can quickly add up, especially when you take multiple medications. Prescription medication discount cards from top providers like Choice Drug are an easy way to help reduce those costs. I recently tested out the Choice Drug Card medication discount card and found it to be a simple way seniors can save up to 80 percent on their prescriptions. We'll cover all the details below, from signing up to using your card at the pharmacy.
Thirty percent of Americans say their out-of-pocket costs for their prescription medications have increased in the past year.2 When it comes to the financial burden of drug costs, older adults are majorly impacted, since 90 percent of Americans over the age of 65 regularly take one or more prescription medications.3
Did You Know: Medicare Part D plans can also help you save on medications. Visit our list of the best Medicare Part D prescription drug plans to learn more.
To make ends meet, some seniors report rationing their meds or skimping on buying food, which can worsen their health in the long run. Using the Choice Drug Card can relieve some of the financial burden by saving seniors money and helping them find a pharmacy with the best price for their prescription medication.
You can think of a prescription discount card like a coupon for your medication. Who doesn't love taking advantage of a great coupon? Prescription discount companies, like Choice Drug Card, negotiate a lower bulk prescription drug price with pharmacies to benefit seniors like you. The card is accepted at 70,000 locations across the country, so, most likely, there is a pharmacy near you that accepts the discount card.
Small, independently owned pharmacies may accept the Choice Drug Card, as well as major players like:
Seniors who can benefit from using a Choice Drug Card include:
Choice Drug Card makes it easy for seniors, whether or not they are computer savvy, to receive a free discount card and start saving. Plus, they don't ask any personal questions, which I appreciated. These days you can never be too careful when it comes to sharing info online! Seniors have three options to receive their Choice Drug Card: email, text, or printing a hard copy. I tried the email route so I could use the email app on my smartphone to show the card at the pharmacy checkout. Plus, I wouldn't have to worry about losing a physical card since my phone is always with me! I'll walk you through how to get your Choice Drug Card below.
Choice Drug Card – Click “Email a Card”
Choice Drug Card – Enter your email address
Choice Drug Card – Getting your card on a phone
FYI: My Choice Drug Card was delivered to my Junk email folder. Make sure you check your junk or spam folder if you decide to receive your card via email.
Choice Drug Card – Click “Text a Card”
Choice Drug Card – Submit your phone number
Choice Drug Card – Click “Print a Card”
Choice Drug Card – Download the PDF
Pro Tip: If none of the above options appeal to you, Choice Drug Card will mail you a discount card. Visit Choice Drug Card’s website and fill out the necessary information to receive your card in the mail.
Before heading to the pharmacy to use the Choice Drug Card, you'll want to use the Choice Drug Card website to find the nearest pharmacy with the best discounted price. I used the website to do a quick search on two popular prescription drugs: Xanax and Novolog 70/30. Xanax is often prescribed to seniors to treat symptoms of anxiety, while Novolog is a type of insulin used by diabetics. Novolog isn't usually covered by Medicare and insurance plans, so the 88 percent discount provided by Choice Drug Card is certainly impressive!
Note that Choice Drug Card will automatically recommend the generic versions of these drugs to get you the best deal. Here are the results of my search.
Brand name drug | Generic name drug | Retail cost of generic name drug | Price with Choice Drug Card discount | Pharmacy | Percent savings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Xanax | Alprazolam (.5mg/60 tablets) | $33.18 | $9.16 | ABC Pharmacy | 62% |
Novolog 70/30 | Insulin Aspart 70/30 | $184.57 | $21.81 | Robertson Center Pharmacy | 88% |
Here's how to search for your medications using the Choice Drug Card Website:
Choice Drug Card – Click “Search Prices – Pharmacies”
Choice Drug Card – Type in your medication and ZIP code
Choice Drug Card – Type in your prescription
Choice Drug Card – Click the pharmacy to view info
Reminder: If the pharmacy you select is different from the one you regularly use, call your prescribing physician to have your prescription sent to the selected pharmacy.
Over 75 percent of older adults agree that the price of prescription medications is unreasonable.4 In response, Choice Drug Card is making it easier for older adults to afford their medications and maintain their health. Though Choice Drug Card lacks a mobile app like other companies, such as GoodRx and WellRx, the savings on prescription drugs is just as good. As long as you’re comfortable hopping on your computer to do a quick search, you won't miss the mobile app.
Yes. You are able to use your Choice Drug Card on medication that is not covered by Medicare.
You can use your Choice Drug Card as much as you need to. Your family members can use it as well without needing a separate card.
Your Choice Drug Card can be used to save money on your pet’s prescriptions.
Simply show a physical copy or a digital copy on your smartphone at the pharmacy checkout counter, and your discount will be applied.
It’s accepted at 70,000 locations nationwide, including most local and major pharmacies.
Rueters. (2020). Exclusive: Drugmakers to hike prices for 2021 as pandemic, political pressure put revenues at risk.
Consumer Reports. (2019). The Shocking Rise of Prescription Drug Prices.
KFF. (2019). Data Note: Prescription Drugs and Older Adults.
KFF. (2019). Data Note: Prescription Drugs and Older Adults.