II. Types
- Discount Cards (e.g. Blink, GoodRx, WellRx, Amazon Prime)
- Initial purchase of discount card offers discounts on select medications
- Benefit to an individual varies based on which medications are discounted
- Discount card programs may sell user information to third parties
- Discounts often may not be combined with insurance
- Consider in-store discount programs for specific pharmacies
- Drug Coupons
- Only temporary discounts for expensive medications
- Once the coupon is used, the drug price returns to its high original cost
- Generic Drug alternatives typically offer similar efficacy at a consistently lower cost
- Government funded programs (e.g. Medicare) do not allow Drug Coupons
- Consider coupons for short-term medications (e.g. DOACS in short term DVT Prophylaxis)
- Only temporary discounts for expensive medications
- Assistance Programs
- Significantly discounted or free medications from manufacturers or states
- Requires medical provider and financial statements
- Prepare to complete considerable paperwork at least annually
- Consider for very high cost medications (e.g. Hepatitis C Antiviral Regimen, Biological Agent)
- May encourage use of expensive medications, at increased cost to government programs
III. Resources: Assistance Programs
- Medicare.gov
- Needy Meds
- Partnership for Prescription Assistance
- Rx Assist
IV. Resources: Low cost medication lists
- Target $4 List
- Walmart $4 List
V. References
- (2015) Presc Lett 22(6): 35
- (2021) Presc Lett 28(10): 57-8