5 ways to save on prescription drugs
For many people, the pharmacy counter can feel like a guessing game.
With prices varying widely depending on the drug, pharmacy, and whether you use can save money using insurance or a discount program, finding the best deal isn’t always straightforward.
But there are practical ways to bring those costs down. Here are five strategies that can help you save throughout the year – and how to navigate the often‑confusing choice between coupons, discount cards, and your health insurance.
1. Discount cards vs. insurance
Prescription discount cards and manufacturer coupons can sometimes beat your insurance price at the register. These programs access negotiated cash‑pay rates that may be lower than the copay with your health insurance plan.
But here’s the tradeoff:
When you use a coupon or discount card, the pharmacy typically processes your prescription outside your insurance. That means the money you spend usually does not count toward your deductible or out‑of‑pocket maximum.
That can be fine if you don’t expect to meet your deductible – or if you simply need the lowest price that day. But if you’re actively working toward meeting your deductible by the end of the year, using your insurance may be the better long‑term value even if the upfront cost is higher. In most cases, once you meet your deductible, your insurance plan will start paying for more on your medical and prescription drug costs.
2. Tools that automatically help you find savings
Some insurance plans now include tools that automatically compare your insurance price with available discount prices. For Capital Blue Cross members, the MedsYourWay Retail®* program does this checking behind the scenes (note: the program does not include CHIP and Medicare members).
When you fill a prescription using your member ID card, the program looks at both your insurance benefits and available discount card prices – then applies the lowest one. And if the medication is covered by your plan, the amount you pay still applies to your deductible and out‑of‑pocket maximum.
This removes much of the guesswork and can help you avoid juggling multiple discount programs.
3. Ask about generic alternatives
Regardless of how you pay for it, one of the easiest ways to lower your prescription costs is to ask your doctor or pharmacist whether a generic version is available.
Generics contain the same active ingredients and offer the same clinical benefits as brand name medications but are often a fraction of the price. When a generic exists, switching can immediately reduce what you pay.
4. Explore reputable low‑cost online pharmacies
Online pharmacies may be a popular option for those looking to save. One reputable example is Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs*, which sells many generics at transparent pricing based on manufacturing cost plus a small markup.
Capital Blue Cross members with prescription drug coverage can create an account using their member ID to see whether any of their medications are available at a lower price through Cost Plus Drugs. This can be especially helpful for long‑term maintenance medications or drugs not fully covered by insurance.
5. Compare prices across pharmacies
It may come as a surprise, but retail pharmacy prices for the exact same medication can vary significantly. This is especially true for generics, where pricing isn’t as tightly standardized.
Checking prices at different pharmacies – either online or by calling ahead – can reveal meaningful savings. Even within the same town, cash prices may differ by tens of dollars or more.
Coupons, discount cards, insurance benefits, and online pharmacies can all help lower prescription costs – but each works differently, and the cost can vary from one medication to the next.
Ways to Save on Prescriptions at the Pharmacy
Program Type |
Description |
Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Your Capital Blue Cross ID Card | Your Capital Blue Cross member ID allows pharmacies to process prescriptions through your insurance benefits, applying copays or coinsurance based on your plan and counting eligible costs toward your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. | Your Capital Blue Cross ID Card Your Capital Blue Cross member ID allows pharmacies to process prescriptions through your insurance benefits, applying copays or coinsurance based on your plan and counting eligible costs toward your deductible and out-of-pocket maximum. Savings on brand and generic drugs that are covered by your Capital Blue Cross health insurance plan. |
| Manufacturer Copay Cards | Coupons offered by drug manufacturers that reduce copays for certain brand-name medications. These programs usually apply only to specific drugs and may have eligibility requirements. | Insured patients who need expensive brand-name medications that do not yet have generic alternatives |
| Pharmacy-Specific Plans | Discount programs offered by individual pharmacy chains that provide reduced pricing for certain medications, often focused on commonly prescribed generic drugs. | Pharmacy-Specific Plans Discount programs offered by individual pharmacy chains that provide reduced pricing for certain medications, often focused on commonly prescribed generic drugs. Patients who regularly fill prescriptions at the same pharmacy and want lower prices on common generic medications. |
| Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company | An online pharmacy that sells many generic medications at transparent pricing based on the manufacturing cost plus a fixed markup and pharmacy fee. Prices are typically paid outside of traditional insurance billing. | Members looking for lower-cost generic medications, especially when retail pharmacy prices or insurance copays are higher. |
Sources
https://pharmacy.osu.edu/news/prescription-discount-cards-who-do-they-benefit-who-do-they-hurt
https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/help/drug-costs
https://resources.healthgrades.com/right-care/patient-advocate/prescription-drug-discounts
https://www.astrazeneca-us.com/medicines/Affordability.html
https://www.seniorliving.org/prescription-discount-cards/best
*Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company, PBC is contracted through Prime Therapeutics LLC to provide mail pharmacy services to members of Capital Blue Cross. On behalf of Capital Blue Cross, Prime Therapeutics LLC assists in the administration of our prescription drug program. Prime Therapeutics LLC is an independent pharmacy benefit manager.
* MedsYourWay® is a registered trademark of Prime Therapeutics LLC. On behalf of Capital Blue Cross, Prime Therapeutics LLC, an independent pharmacy benefit manager, assists in the administration of our prescription drug program.
This is not medical advice and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. The information provided is meant for a general audience. Capital Blue Cross and its affiliated companies believe this health education resource provides useful information but does not assume any liability associated with its use.