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Prescriptions: Free Savings Cards

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Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

After a week of quick tips, I will return to the fifth category within my insurance filing system.

In part 1, I shared which documents I keep in my file regarding our paid prescription coverage.

In concluding this file opening, I will share some documents to keep in this file, including free savings cards.

If your family does not carry prescription coverage, you can still save at the pharmacy without paying full price. Yeah!

You have many options for saving including free samples, no-cost programs, $4 generic prescriptions, manufacturer saving cards, and free savings cards.

Free Samples

When visiting the doctor’s office and needing a prescription, I ask for samples. One time, I received a 3-month supply of a prenatal vitamin which saved our family over $150.

I have also received samples of allergy nose sprays and fish oil supplements. Many doctor’s offices keep a supply of samples, and they willingly share them.

No-cost Programs

The free medication program offered through Publix has saved my family lots of money. I have used the free antibiotics many times with a 100% rate of success.

During seasons of illness, you may get your needed antibiotics for free through Publix’s free medication program. I always ask our physician if he or she can prescribe an antibiotic that is free through Publix, and my requests are usually granted.

$4 Generic Prescriptions

Companies like Wal-Mart and Target offer certain generic medications at a cost of $4 for a 30-day supply or $10 for a 90-day supply. These programs can significantly stretch your dollars.

Manufacturer Savings Cards

Some manufacturers offer savings cards. I received a manufacturer’s card from my OB for prenatal vitamins. By using the card, I received the first fill and 2 refills at no cost. Combining these savings with the samples from the doctor’s office, and I received a 1-year supply for the cost of a 6-month supply. Love the 50% savings!

If your doctor’s office knows of no manufacturer discount, then check the web site of the prescription manufacturer. I have called manufacturers asking if they have a discount program. The worst they can say is, “Not at this time,” but they could also send you savings. You never know until you ask.

Free Savings Cards

These free savings cards, recommended for individuals without prescription coverage, offer deep discounts.

TRACY’S TIP: Per our CVS pharmacist, if you have prescription insurance and use a savings card, then the prescription insurance will refuse to pay.

Since I get a huge discount from our insurance company, I do not use these free savings cards.

Just checking the discount price flags the medication, so be careful and ask your pharmacist if using a free savings card will hinder using your prescription insurance.

My favorite free savings cards:

TRACY’S TIP:  If none of these options offer a discount on your prescription, then try checking the price at Costco. You do not need to have a membership to use the pharmacy.

Just let the front employee know you are going to the pharmacy, and you will get your own escort. If you don’t have a membership, you will need to pay with cash.

I know this might be a hassle, but Costco‘s prescription costs are lower than other pharmacies. Just check your prescription on-line before visiting the store.

With these prescription savings options, keep a copy of your cards or bookmark these links for easy access when you need them. I keep mine in this seventh file opening of Box 2 of our important documents.

Though you may not use all these savings, knowing your options can help in making decisions to save you money, energy, and time. Happy savings!

Question: What other prescription savings can you add to this list?

CVS: Prescription Gift Card Coupons

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Photography Credit: CVS

At my son’s soccer games, my oldest daughter loves to go play with the other kids. She traipses through bushes, climbs over rocks, and slides down the hill. Having a great time comes with consequences. In this case, she acquired a nasty bug bite. Paul and I kept an eye on it. Two days later it was bright red, warm, and had blisters on top. When I took her to the pediatrician, our doctor put her on an antibiotic for the infection.

When I got the prescription, I checked to see if this was one of the free medications offered through Publix. It was not. The next option for savings was looking in my CVS envelope where I carry my coupons. In the envelope, I found a K-mart coupon for a $10 gift card when you fill a new or transferred prescription. This was very exciting. Here is why I get prescriptions filled at CVS:

  1. Our insurance carrier will process prescription claims according to our contract terms when I use a CVS pharmacy.
  2. CVS will honor competitor prescription coupons. Since K-mart is a local competitor, CVS will honor the K-mart coupon.
  3. When I use my Extra Care Card, I will earn an additional $1 Extra Buck for every two prescriptions purchased.
  4. When I use my CVS Green Bag Tag, I will earn $1 Extra Buck for every 4th visit. You can only use your Green Bag Tag once a day.
  5. I love to shop at CVS and will use the $10 gift card.
  6. CVS has a drive-thru. Yeah!

Since I pass about 3-4 CVS Pharmacies on the route to and from school, I dropped off the prescription through the drive-thru before afternoon pickup. On my way home, I drove through the drive-thru and handed the cashier my Extra Care Card, my reusable bag with Green Bag Tag attached, the K-mart coupon, and my flexible spending credit card. During my transaction, I purchased the antibiotic medicine for $9, got my fourth scan of my Green Bag Tag, and obtained a $10 CVS gift card. The results of this transaction were my daughter’s medicine, a $10 CVS gift card, $1 Extra Buck printed on the bottom of my receipt for using a reusable bag, and 1 credit toward earning $1 in Extra Bucks for every 2 prescriptions you have filled.

If I purchase another prescription before the quarter ends, then I will earn $1 in Extra Bucks. Those Extra Bucks will not print at the bottom of my receipt the day I fill the second prescription. I will get that $1 Extra Buck at the end of the quarter. Once every 3 months my Extra Bucks will print at the Coupon Center (big red machine at the front of the CVS store) or at the end of my receipt. Included with my “$1 for every prescription filled” bonus, I also earn 2% on most of the items purchased with my Extra Care Card in those 3 months.

Though I did not plan to visit the doctor’s office, I was prepared and used the resources at hand to stretch my dollars. All in all, I spent $9 pre-taxed and received $1 in Extra Bucks, a $10 CVS gift card, and 1 prescription credit. Not too shabby for an unexpected expense. Please leave a comment sharing ways you save money when filling a prescription.