Can You Use GoodRx With Insurance?
You can't use GoodRx with health insurance.
Find Cheap Health Insurance in Your Area
But, some insurance plans will pay you back for prescriptions bought with a GoodRx discount or count it toward your deductible.
What is GoodRx?
GoodRx is an online platform that helps users find cheap prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
GoodRx can help you shop around to get the cheapest prices in your area. Once you've found the best drug prices, you can download a coupon from the GoodRx website or app. Many customers use the GoodRx app on their smartphones because it lets them easily pull up their coupons.
Keep in mind that GoodRx is not medical insurance. You do not need to pay to use GoodRx, although you can get more discounts for a $10 monthly fee ($20 per month for families).
GoodRx mobile app score
Star rating
| |
|---|---|
| Google Play | 4.8 |
| Apple Store | 4.8 |
You can't use GoodRx with your health insurance (including Medicare and Medicaid). But, you can keep your receipts and ask your insurance company to pay you back for the drugs you bought or to apply that cost to your deductible afterward.
Not all insurance plans let you use GoodRx, and there's no complete list online of companies that accept GoodRx.
Most GoodRx users have health insurance, which means you may find the service useful even if you have coverage. You might choose to use GoodRx for prescriptions instead of your insurance in certain circumstances. For example, if the GoodRx price costs less than your copay, you should always buy with GoodRx.
Call your health insurance directly to find out if it works with GoodRx. Remember to get in touch with the department that handles prescription drug coverage for a fast and smooth reply.
When to use GoodRx
- Your copay is higher than the GoodRx price.
- Your insurance company will pay you back for drugs bought with GoodRx.
- Your insurance doesn't cover a certain drug, but GoodRx does.
- Your insurance company will count what you bought with GoodRx toward your deductible.
- You don't expect to hit your annual deductible.
To get the most out of GoodRx, you should use it with your health insurance. Look at both to find out which offers the best price for your prescriptions.
GoodRx for pet meds
GoodRx also offers discounts for pet medicine. The company advertises savings of up to 80% on common drugs for pets.
How does GoodRx work?
GoodRx offers discounts on prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The company also helps you shop around by alerting you to lower prices when you sign up for pharmacy membership programs or pay in cash.
The company makes money when you buy drugs with a GoodRx card or coupon. GoodRx advertises savings of up to 80% off prescription and over-the-counter drug prices.
How to use GoodRx
- Go to the GoodRx website.
- Type in your drug in the search bar on the main page.
- Select the pharmacy you want to use from the lower left-hand corner.
- Two boxes will appear on the right-hand side.
- Print your coupon directly from the second box, or text or email it to yourself.
You do not need to create an account or input your personal information to use the free version of GoodRx.
You can also sign up on the GoodRx website for a free pharmacy discount card. Complete the online form with your name, address and email, and you will get a plastic card in the mail. Although it looks like a health insurance card, your GoodRx discount card is not proof of insurance.
The card lets you get discounts at all of GoodRx's 70,000 member pharmacies. These include major chains like Walgreens and CVS.
Major GoodRx pharmacy partners
- Walmart
- Costco
- Walgreens
- CVS
- Kroger
- Rite Aid
- Albertsons
- Safeway
- Vons
Member pharmacies have to accept GoodRx coupons and discount cards. If a pharmacist at a participating location refuses to accept your GoodRx discount, call the GoodRx customer service line at 855-268-2822.
When you show your GoodRx coupon or card to the pharmacist, tell them you want to pay in cash even if you intend on using your credit card, your digital wallet or a check.
GoodRx prices
GoodRx has a large number of $4 prescriptions available online.
The company claims about 4 in 10 drugs cost less with a GoodRx coupon than the cost of drugs with insurance. So you'll still need to shop around since GoodRx often isn't cheaper than using your regular health insurance.
GoodRx advertises discounts of up to 80% off regular drug prices. However, it's important to keep in mind that this is a best-case scenario, and most discounts aren't this high.
GoodRx Gold
You can pay $10 per month ( $20 per month for a family plan ) for GoodRx Gold, a paid subscription service. The GoodRx website advertises savings of up to 90% and more than 1,000 prescriptions priced at $10 or less.
GoodRx Gold also comes with free home delivery and a 30-day free trial. You can cancel your membership at any time with no penalty.
GoodRx Gold members can also get access to telehealth appointments for an extra monthly fee. This could be a good idea if you don't currently have health coverage. Otherwise, it's a good idea to check with your current insurance company to see if you already have telehealth access before you sign up for this benefit.
Alternatives to GoodRx
GoodRx isn't the only tool for finding cheap drugs online. You can also save money through the following websites.
- SingleCare
- OptumRX
- RxSaver
- Amazon Pharmacy
AARP members can get extra discounts through OptumRx.
Not all of these websites directly compete with GoodRx. For example, Amazon Pharmacy sells prescription medicine directly to consumers. But, GoodRx only offers discounts through pharmacies it doesn't own.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use GoodRx with insurance?
You can't use GoodRx and health insurance together. But, you can ask your health insurance company to reimburse you or count what you paid at the pharmacy to your deductible if you buy with GoodRx.
How does GoodRx make money?
GoodRx makes money by charging pharmacies fees, collecting GoodRx Gold membership fees and selling advertising space on its website. You don't have to pay anything to use GoodRx unless you sign up for its premium service.
Can I use my insurance and GoodRx at the same time?
No, you can't use both your health insurance and GoodRx at the same time. But, some insurance companies will pay you back for what you buy with GoodRx or count it toward your health insurance deductible.
Sources and methodology
Information about GoodRx came from the company's website and prospectus. Other sources included Amazon, AARP, OptumRx and SingleCare.
Editorial note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.