Many Americans have their prescription drugs covered through their insurance, if not completely then partially, however sometimes the drug isn’t covered at all or the remaining portion to pay is higher than some people can afford, especially if it’s something that’s needed on a regular basis. One of the best shared secrets in the Health Insurance world that offset the cost of prescription drugs is GoodRx.
There are some medications that are either not covered, or only partially covered through insurance, and sometimes that cost is higher through your insurance than it is when you use the free discount prescription card program though GoodRx. You can use your insurance formulary tool to estimate the cost of your drug using your insurance, but it’s always a great idea to compare prices with GoodRx.
There are pros and cons to using GoodRx. When you run your prescription medications through your insurance, typically that amount counts toward your deductible, which many people prefer to hit sooner than later, to save on out-of-pocket costs for other health care needs throughout the year. When you use GoodRx, the amount you pay the pharmacy is NOT counted toward your deductible and is just considered a cash transaction. For many, this tradeoff is not worth it, as they prefer to meet their deductible faster, especially if they have a high number of doctor visits and procedures throughout the year, but for the remainder of people, it is a blessing, as some drugs come out cheaper using GoodRx’s discount versus through their insurance.
GoodRx is free to sign up for and very easy to use. You can sign up for the discount card by visiting www.goodrx.com. Upon signup, you will receive a digital copy of the card right away, as well as one sent to your email. You can print the card for immediate use, or you can request a physical card be mailed to your home address. GoodRx saves consumers up to 80% on their prescription medications and can be used in over 70,000 pharmacies all over the country.
Upon visiting the website, you can use the drug finder tool on the front page to search the name of your prescription medication to see the cost with the discount at several local pharmacies around your location, allowing you to compare the prices and location before you choose a pharmacy. For example, Amoxicillin, a commonly prescribed antibiotic, ranges between $10 and $16 dollars retail price for 500mg for 21 tablets. Using GoodRx brings the price range down to about $6.69, and even cheaper, at around $4.02 if you have GoodRx GOLD, which is an optional paid membership through GoodRx costing $5.99 a month that gives you extra discounts and perks.
Another not-so-known benefit of using the GoodRx Discount Card is that you can actually use the discount card to save on prescription medications for your pets! Yes! You can actually use the same discount card you use for your own medication discount, to lower the retail price of many prescription medications that are prescribed to your pets. Over 1,000 medications are available for under $10 through the GoodRx Discount Card, but it’s still always advisable to compare as sometimes your prescription drug plan through your insurance will beat the price of the discount card, or by chance there may be a drug that isn’t discounted through GoodRx, or not by enough to use it, as paying using your insurance will generally go towards your deductible. GoodRx can also get you online consultations with a physician for $10 to $20 if you are unable to get an appointment with your doctor, using GoodRx Care, which is another added benefit to using this discount program. GoodRx Care also includes consults, treatment, scripts and labs from doctors using the online medical service offered by GoodRx called HeyDoctor. The variety of services offered, which overs conditions and ailments from urinary tract infection treatments and birth control to erectile dysfunction medication and hair replacement supplements. HeyDoctor has had over 100,000 consultations since the program’s launch and continues to help Americans receive the care they need. Many Americans find it difficult to access a primary care physician, some noting an up to a 3 week wait time. HeyDoctor through GoodRx can offer you a same day consultation with any necessary prescription and more if needed.
As GoodRx grows, it’s offered services grow as well, but the focus is bridging the gap of healthcare access and affordability for those with or without insurance.