How do discount cards work?

First of all, prescription discount cards are not insurance. While drug manufacturer coupon cards may interact with drug coverage, cards from independent benefit companies are used instead of insurance.

This means anyone can use them. People with employer insurance, federal insurance, or no insurance can all get a discount. This also means that if you do have insurance, whatever you pay will come out-of-pocket and will not contribute to your deductible.

What are the benefits?

Discount cards are powerful tools for patients on plans with high deductibles, high copays, or limited drug formularies. They're especially useful for patients who are uninsured or between insurance plans. Without a discount, the cost of prescriptions could keep patients from even starting therapy.

Keep in mind that the final price of your prescription depends on the price set by the pharmacy, not on the discount card that you use. For example, a prescription for atorvastatin could cost nine dollars at one retailer and twenty dollars at another – even when using the same discount card. If affordability is paramount, you may need to shop around for the best price.

If you decide to go the route of using an Rx discount card or a manufacturer’s coupon, it is important to keep in mind that the amount you pay will NOT be applied toward your medical deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. You may want to reach out to your health insurance company to see if you are able to submit receipts for AffordableMeds prescription purchases. Some health plans may allow you to potentially get reimbursement or credit toward your deductible or out-of-pocket limits. One other thing to note is that these discount coupons are not eligible for people enrolled on Medicare Part D for their prescriptions. They cannot be combined with Medicare, unfortunately.

At AffordableMeds we are here to help you save money and get the most from using our card.