If you’ve never used a drug discount card, you’re probably leaving money on the table every time you fill a prescription. These free cards can cut your medication costs by 20-80%, and they work even if you already have insurance. Here’s how to start saving immediately on your prescriptions.

How to Get Started with Discount Cards

Download the GoodRx app or visit their website to get your first discount card. You can use it immediately – no waiting period, no membership fees, no paperwork. Just show the pharmacist the card or barcode on your phone when you drop off your prescription.

For physical cards, you can print them at home or pick them up at most pharmacies. CVS, Walgreens, and other chains usually have discount cards available at their pharmacy counters that you can grab for free.

Sign up for multiple discount programs since different cards work better for different medications. Get cards from GoodRx, SingleCare, RxSaver, and your preferred pharmacy’s loyalty program. Keep them all in your wallet or save them to your phone.

How to Compare Prices and Save Money

Before filling any prescription, check prices across different pharmacies using your discount card apps. The same medication can cost $25 at one pharmacy and $60 at another, even with the same discount card.

At the pharmacy counter, ask them to run both your insurance and your discount card to see which gives you a better price. You can’t use both together, but you can choose whichever costs less for each individual prescription.

For expensive medications, call ahead to different pharmacies with your discount card information and ask for price quotes. This saves time and helps you find the best deal before making the trip.

When to Use Discount Cards Instead of Insurance

Use discount cards early in the year before you’ve met your deductible. If you’re paying full price anyway, the discount card might offer significant savings over the insurance-negotiated rate.

Switch to discount cards when your insurance copay is higher than the discount price. This happens frequently with generic medications where your insurance might charge a $30 copay for a drug that costs $8 with a discount card.

Try discount cards for medications not covered by your insurance. Non-formulary drugs that would cost hundreds of dollars might be affordable with discount pricing.

How to Maximize Your Savings Strategy

Calculate annual costs for ongoing medications, not just monthly prices. A pharmacy that’s $5 more per month but saves you 30 minutes of driving might be worth the extra $60 per year.

Ask about 90-day supplies when using discount cards. Many programs offer better per-dose pricing for larger quantities, just like insurance plans do.

Check your pharmacy’s own discount programs before using third-party cards. Walmart’s $4 generic program, CVS ExtraCare pricing, and Walgreens discounts sometimes beat external discount cards.

How to Avoid Common Mistakes

Don’t pay membership fees for discount cards. Legitimate discount programs are free to use and don’t require credit card information or monthly payments.

Always verify the final price before completing your transaction. Some pharmacies automatically run insurance first, but you can ask them to check discount options and choose the cheaper one.

Keep track of which discount method works best for each of your medications. What saves the most on your blood pressure medication might not be optimal for your diabetes supplies.

How to Handle Special Situations

For Medicare patients in the coverage gap, use discount cards to reduce costs during the “donut hole” period. The savings often beat paying full price through Medicare Part D.

If you’re traveling, check whether your discount cards work at pharmacy chains in other states. Most major programs have nationwide networks, but coverage can vary.

When switching pharmacies, bring your discount cards and ask the new pharmacy to price-check your medications using different discount options before transferring your prescriptions.

Getting started with drug discount cards takes about five minutes of setup time and can save you hundreds of dollars per year on prescriptions. Download a couple of apps, grab some physical cards from your pharmacy, and start comparing prices every time you fill a prescription.