10 Best Prescription Discount Cards

Depending on the type of health insurance and prescription drug coverage you have, you may be able to save money on certain prescription drugs by using a prescription discount card, sometimes known as a drug card.

It's important to remember that a drug discount card isn't the same as your membership card for your prescription drug insurance coverage, if you have it. If you have Medicare prescription drug coverage, you typically can't use drug coupons or discount cards when you buy prescriptions using your Medicare plan.

What Are the Best Prescription Discount Cards?

1. GoodRx Gold

GoodRx Gold is more than a prescription discount card — it's a healthcare membership program that can also offer discounted online healthcare visits for as little as $19. To access discounts of up to 90% on medications, all you need to do is find a discount coupon on the website or app and present it to the pharmacy. Some medications even qualify for free home delivery.

You can try out GoodRx Gold for free for 1 month. After that, membership costs $9.99 per month for individual plans and $19.99 for family plans.

Pros

• Accepted at thousands of pharmacies nationwide
• Pets can join a family plan
• Free home delivery for some medications 

Cons:

• Not available in Washington
• Not accepted at Walmart, Sam's Club, Publix or Walgreens

2. ScriptSave WellRx

Unlike many prescription savings plans, WellRx is free to join. You have the option to get a physical savings card or use the WellRx mobile app — the program doesn't even require you to create an account.

When it's time to fill a prescription, simply search for the medication in the app to see the cost; the locator tool helps you find the pharmacy with the lowest price. To get the discount, simply show your card or app at the pharmacy.

Pros:

• Discounts up to 80%
• Accepted at more than 65,000 pharmacies

Cons:

• Only available in the United States, Puerto Rico and Guam

3. America's Pharmacy

America's Pharmacy is another discount program that's free to join. You can participate by signing up for a discount card or by searching for individual drug coupons on the website. Present either one at a participating pharmacy.

Like WellRx, the America's Pharmacy website and app can help you find a local pharmacy with the lowest prices for your specific medications.

Pros:

• Accepted at 59,000 pharmacies
• Discounts of up to 80%

Cons:

• Not available outside the United States

4. Kroger Rx Savings Club

If your preferred pharmacy is part of the Kroger family, the Kroger Rx Savings Club may be a smart choice. This fee-based program offers discounts of up to 100% — members get certain drugs for free. Plus, more than 100 common medications are available for $3 for 30 days or $6 for 90 days.

Pricing starts at $36 per year for an individual membership and $72 per year for a family membership.

Pros:

• Family memberships include up to six people or pets
• Available at more than 2,000 pharmacies

Cons:

• Not available to Washington residents

5. Optum Perks

Like WellRx and America's Pharmacy, Optum Perks allows you to access discounts on prescription drugs without the need to register or pay a membership fee. You can get the discounts by printing off individual coupons or signing up for a discount card.

If you prefer not to visit the pharmacy, you can transfer your prescriptions to the Optum Store. They'll mail each refill right to your home.

Pros:

• Accepted at more than 64,000 pharmacies
• Save up to 80% on prescription medications
• Offers discounts on pet medications

Cons:

• Discounts may be lower than similar services

6. Walgreens Prescription Savings Club

If you live near a Walgreens pharmacy, the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club may offer the biggest discounts. Membership comes with discounted prices on more than 8,000 drugs. Savings are particularly good for value-priced generic medications; your membership gives you three 30-day refills for the price of two.

Pricing starts at $20 per year for individuals and $35 per year for a family membership that includes up to five people or pets.

Pros:

• Discounts on more than 8,000 medications
• Additional savings on retail purchases and immunizations

Cons:

• Family membership is limited to your immediate family

7. SingleCare

If you want discounts without providing any personal information, SingleCare delivers. To use this free discount program, all you have to do is choose your pharmacy; the website automatically generates a savings card that you can hand over at a participating location. You can also search for a specific drug to get a free coupon. 

If you don't mind providing a few details, you can sign up for a SingleCare account to get even lower prices. The program's app makes it easy to compare prices at different pharmacies when you're on the go.

Pros:

• Discounts of up to 80%
• Accepted at 35,000 pharmacies

Cons:

• Must sign up to get the lowest prices

8. BlinkHealth

BlinkHealth helps you find the lowest possible prices on your prescription medications. There's no need to join; just search for the drug you need. You can pick up the prescription at a local pharmacy.

If you don't have a prescription, Blink Health also offers online doctor visits. They can help you get a prescription for certain medications without ever visiting an office.

Pros:

• Accepted at more than 35,000 pharmacies
• Home delivery available through BlinkRx

Cons:

• Smaller network than some similar programs

9. Choice Drug Card

Choice Drug Card offers some of the highest potential savings of any free prescription drug discount program. Participation is free, unlimited and requires no personal information — you can print, email or mail a discount card right from the website.

If you have pets, you can get a special pet discount card to save money on common medications. You'll need a prescription from your veterinarian to purchase drugs.

Pros:

• Savings of up to 85%
• Accepted at more than 70,000 pharmacies

Cons:

• No mobile app

10. ValpakRx

Free and easy to join, ValpakRx offers good discounts and a low-price finder tool. When you download the app, you can search for low prices and view a discount card immediately. 

Keep in mind that ValpaxRx requires you to provide basic contact information to access discount cards online or through the app.

Pros:

• Accepted at 35,000 pharmacies
• Discounts of up to 80%
• Convenient mobile app

Cons:

• Only available in the United States

How Do Free Prescription Drug Discount Programs Work?

Every program is different, but in many cases, the company negotiates bulk pricing directly with pharmacies or benefits administrators. Then, they pass along those savings to you. Typically, these companies make money by collecting referral fees from the pharmacies they partner with.

Which Prescription Drug Discount Card Is Best?

The best discount card for you depends on a few factors:

• Your existing prescription drug insurance coverage
• The medications you take
• Your location

It pays to do some comparison shopping — you may find that one discount card offers significantly lower prices for your area and medications. Since most programs are free, you can maximize savings by doing a bit of legwork. Any time you need to fill a prescription, compare the discount card prices with each other and your insurance copay, and use the cheapest option.