How to Use GoodRx to Save on Prescriptions

GoodRx is a free service that helps you save money on prescription drugs. The company gathers prices from over 70,000 pharmacies in the United States and offers coupons that bring the cost down. You do not need insurance to use GoodRx, and in some cases the GoodRx price is lower than your insurance copay. Millions of Americans, including many on Medicare, have saved hundreds of dollars a year by checking GoodRx before filling a prescription.

Using GoodRx is straightforward. You go to goodrx.com or download the free GoodRx app on your phone. Type in the name of your medication, the dose, and the amount you need. The website shows you prices at pharmacies near your ZIP code, sorted from cheapest to most expensive. The price difference between two pharmacies in the same town can be surprising. The same pill might cost $25 at one pharmacy and $80 at another.

Once you find a good price, GoodRx gives you a coupon. You can show the coupon on your phone screen, print it, or text it to yourself. Bring the coupon to the pharmacy when you pick up your prescription and ask the pharmacist to apply the GoodRx discount instead of running it through insurance. You cannot combine GoodRx with insurance on the same prescription, so the pharmacist will charge whichever price is lower.

GoodRx works on most generic drugs and many brand-name drugs. It does not work on Medicare Part D copays directly, but the GoodRx cash price can sometimes beat your Medicare copay. It is worth checking every time, especially when starting a new medication. Be aware that GoodRx purchases do not count toward your insurance deductible, so if you are close to meeting your deductible for the year, running it through insurance may make more sense. When in doubt, ask the pharmacist to compare both prices for you.