How to save money on your prescriptions

We know the high price of your prescriptions can be difficult to swallow—especially now, with high costs on everything else. CenterWell Pharmacy® may help you save money on your prescriptions with 5 ways to reduce prescription cost.

1. Get your medications delivered by mail

When you order your medication by mail from CenterWell Pharmacy, you may save money by receiving a 90-day supply of your medications. In many cases, this results in savings compared to a 30- or 60-day supply. Also, we mail your prescriptions safely and securely, right to your door. Better yet, standard shipping is always free.

You’ll also save money and time by saving yourself regular trips to the pharmacy. By avoiding a trip to the store and time waiting in line, you can spend your time doing more enjoyable activities.

2. Opt for generics

Taking a brand-name medicine? You may be able to save money by opting for the generic version of your medication.

When a pharmaceutical company releases a new drug, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows the company to have a patent for several years.¹ When the patent expires, other pharmaceutical companies can make their own generic versions.

Don’t worry about the lack of branding. According to the FDA, generic medicine has the same active ingredients and works the same way as its brand-name counterpart. The FDA requires generic and brand-name drugs to meet the same standards of safety and effectiveness.

How to request generic medications

When you fill a brand-name prescription at CenterWellPharmacy.com or our mobile app, we’ll tell you if that prescription has generic options available and how much they could help you save. We’ll fill your prescription with one of these generic options unless your prescriber says otherwise.

You can also call our toll-free automated system 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 800-379-0092 (TTY: 711).

3. Get help from patient assistance programs

Medicare’s Extra Help program

If you’re a Medicare member, you may have access to Medicare’s Extra Help program. This program helps people with limited income and resources pay Medicare prescription drug program costs, like premiums, deductibles and coinsurance.

If you qualify for the program, the Social Security Administration estimates you could save up to $5,100 a year. Learn more about Extra Help here.²

State pharmaceutical assistance programs

Many states offer more assistance programs to help Medicare members who have limited resources. These programs vary from state to state. Find out if your state has a pharmaceutical assistance program.²

Drug manufacturer Patience Assistance Programs

Sometimes, drug manufacturers offer patient assistant programs (PAPs) to help patients afford their medications. If you qualify, your drug company can help you save money on prescriptions with:

• Copay assistance: If your healthcare provider wants you to take the brand-name medication, a drug manufacturer may pay a portion of your copay to lower your costs.
• Reduced cost or free medications: If you’re uninsured, underinsured or have limited financial resources, drug companies may offer medications at a lower cost or even for free. For example, Pfizer says they gave away 500,000+ prescriptions in 2021 via their Patient Assistance Program.³

To learn how you can get financial help with your prescriptions, visit Rx Assist or contact your prescription’s manufacturer. You can also enter the name of your medicine plus the words “assistance program” or “savings program” into a search engine to find a PAP for your prescription and in your area.

4. Get help through non-profits

If you have Medicare Part D coverage, Some charities can help you pay for the cost of your medications. You’ll have to apply to the program to see if you qualify for help. See the list of charity programs.

5. Find pharmacy drug savings programs

Many pharmacies in the U.S. have savings plans to make prescriptions more affordable.⁴ Unlike drug manufacturer’s programs, pharmacy savings plans offer discounts on generic medications. A pharmacy discount program isn’t a type of insurance—it’s a way to save money if you’re uninsured or underinsured. If you don’t have insurance, a pharmacy drug savings program allows you to pay a reduced cost for your medications. If you have insurance, these programs can help you save money on medications your insurance doesn’t cover.

To take advantage of many pharmacy discounts, you’ll need a discount card. Humana’s free Drug Discount program, however, doesn’t require a card. If your preferred pharmacy is part of the Drug Discount program, you simply fill your prescription as you normally do, and you’ll have the option to pay a reduced cost instead of your copay. Read more about the Drug Discount program.

If you take a specialty medication, CenterWell Specialty Pharmacy® can help you find financial assistance programs to help cover the cost of your medicine.

Ready to start saving?

All 5 of these tips may not apply to your situation, but chances are, you can take advantage of at least one to help ease the pain of high-cost prescriptions. See how CenterWell Pharmacy could help you start saving on your prescriptions today. It’s easy! Fill a new prescription here

Sources:

1. “Generic Drugs: Questions and Answers,” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, last accessed June 6, 2022, https://www.fda.gov/drugs/frequently-asked-questions-popular-topics/generic-drugs-questions-answers.

2. “Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs,” Social Security Administration, last accessed June 6, 2022, https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help.

3. “Pfizer PAP Connect: A simpler way to access Pfizer medicines,” Pfizer RxPathways, last accessed June 6, 2022, https://www.pfizerrxpathways.com/.

4. “Extra Help With Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs,” Social Security Administration, last accessed June 28, 2022, https://secure.ssa.gov/i1020/start.

Disclaimer: This material is provided for informational use only and should not be construed as medical advice or used in place of consulting a licensed medical professional. You should consult with your doctor to determine what is right for you.

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