Discount Cards and Manufacturer Coupons are NOT the Same

I am sure you have heard of GoodRx and probably have received various discount cards in the mail. But how do they work? And what is the difference between the discount cards and a manufacturer coupon?

Discount cards provide a discount on medications, some even advertise up to 80% off on medications. There are many cards out there, but their pricing varies from pharmacy to pharmacy. With a little research, you can find the best pricing, but that may involve choosing a different pharmacy than you usually go to. Using the GoodRx app or website, you can put in your medication and quantity to easily get pricing information and it even shows the pricing at different pharmacies in your chosen area. Just be sure to enter the correct strength and quantity. I have had may patients quote a price, but it turned out they had entered the wrong drug or quantity. Most other cards also have a way to check pricing either on their website or by calling their customer service line.

Discount cards do come with some risk. Be sure to check their privacy policy to see what personal information they gather and how they use it. Anytime you do not use your insurance, your payment does not go towards any deductible or out-of-pocket maximum since the medication is not being billed to them. It may be worth having the claim go to the insurance in the long run, even though you might have to pay more for the medication.

Manufacturer coupons are specific to certain brand name medications as indicated on the card or online. These coupons are provided by the manufacturer to assist with high copays and are usually used in addition to your insurance. If your insurance does not cover the medication, the coupon may not work. There are a bunch of terms and conditions so be sure to read them before applying the coupon. These coupons can usually be found by going directly to the drug/manufacturer website.

I hope this clarifies the differences between the cards and when to use each one. As drug prices increase, your pharmacist can be a great resource for ways to help lower the cost.