What is a US Pharmacy Card?

Thanks to the rising cost of prescription drugs, filling a prescription at your local pharmacy can be an anxiety-inducing experience. For the 80 million Americans who are uninsured or underinsured, the majority have little to no access to prescription drug savings through their insurance companies. Even people with excellent health insurance may still find that their medications are not covered or are still unaffordable. If you have spent time researching ways to save money on prescription drugs, you may have heard about US pharmacy cards and be curious about how they work.

What is a US Pharmacy Card?

A US pharmacy card is a pharmacy discount card that provides healthcare savings on prescription drugs to cardholders. These discount cards negotiate directly with pharmaceutical manufacturers to set an agreed-upon price at pharmacies participating in the discount card’s program. The pharmacy then reimburses the discount card company when a patient fills a prescription using their US pharmacy card. The patient pays the discounted rate at the pharmacy counter, and there are no premiums, co-pays, deductibles, or coverage limits to worry about.

How Much Can a US Pharmacy Card Help Me Save?

US pharmacy cards generally offer savings of 10 to 75 percent on prescription medications, which can add up to a lot of money. Pharmacy discount cards offer reduced prices on all FDA-approved medications, including both brand name and generic drugs. Unlike insurance companies, which may exclude certain drugs from coverage or fail to cover prescriptions once the plan’s maximum limits have been exceeded,  pharmacy discount cards never expire and all FDA-approved drugs are covered. You’ll also save money and time by not having to shop around at different pharmacies.

What Pharmacies Accept US Pharmacy Cards?

Pharmacy discount cards offer savings on prescription drugs at participating pharmacies across the United States, including both national chains and independently owned pharmacies. To get a list of participating pharmacies in your area,  visit the pharmacy discount card’s website or mobile app. If the website features a medication finder, you’ll also be able to look at the cost of your prescription at different pharmacies in your area.

Do US Pharmacy Cards Cost Money?

There is no cost associated with getting a US pharmacy card or participating in the program. The only money you will pay is the discounted price of your prescription when you pick it up at the pharmacy. Because pharmacy discount card programs make their money directly from the pharmacies, which compensate the discount program when you use your card to fill your prescriptions, there is no cost to you as a consumer.

Can I Use a US Pharmacy Card With My Insurance?

You can use a US pharmacy card regardless of whether or not you have insurance, but you cannot combine your pharmacy discount card with your insurance discount to receive additional savings. Because many prescriptions are not covered by insurance or may exceed coverage limits, it is recommended that you ask your pharmacist to compare the prices of both the US pharmacy card and the insurance company for your prescription.

Who Can Participate in a US Pharmacy Card Program?

Everyone is eligible to participate in a pharmacy discount card program, including your entire family. You will not be asked any questions upon joining besides your name and contact information, so there are no concerns about your insured status, your immigration status, age, medical history, medication history, or pre-existing conditions. Your entire family can be covered under one card, too.

How Do I Get a US Pharmacy Card?

Signing up for a US pharmacy card is simple. Just visit the program’s website and provide your name and contact information and then print out your card, then present it to your pharmacist when you pick up your medication. Some US pharmacy cards also offer a mobile app that allows you to sign up and show your card all from your mobile device.