Prescription Discount Programs

GoodRx is the most widely used prescription discount tool in the United States. It is free to use — no signup, no insurance, no membership required. Simply search for your medication on goodrx.com or the GoodRx app, and it will show you prices at nearby pharmacies along with free coupons you can present to the pharmacist.

GoodRx works by negotiating group discount rates with pharmacies on behalf of consumers. Savings average 40-80% off retail prices. The basic service is completely free. GoodRx Gold ($9.99/month for individuals, $19.99/month for families) offers even deeper discounts on some medications and may be worth it if you take multiple prescriptions.

GoodRx coupons are accepted at over 70,000 pharmacies including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Rite Aid, Kroger, Costco, and most independent pharmacies. Important: GoodRx prices cannot be combined with insurance. Compare the GoodRx price to your insurance copay and use whichever is cheaper. Your pharmacist can run both and tell you which saves more.

Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs (costplusdrugs.com) takes a radically transparent approach to drug pricing. They sell medications at their actual cost plus a flat 15% markup, a $5 pharmacy service fee, and $5.25 shipping. That is it — no hidden fees, no middlemen, no pharmacy benefit managers inflating prices.

The result is that many medications cost a fraction of what you would pay at a retail pharmacy. For example, a generic medication that costs $300 at a drugstore might cost $10-20 through Cost Plus Drugs. The company carries over 2,000 generic medications and continues to expand its catalog.

Cost Plus Drugs is an online pharmacy — you order through their website and medications are shipped to your home. You will need a valid prescription from your doctor, which can be sent electronically, faxed, or mailed. They also operate an Affiliate Pharmacy Network through the "Team Cuban Card" that extends their pricing to independent and grocery chain pharmacies in person.

The company operates its own manufacturing facility in Dallas, Texas to produce generic medications and address drug shortages. No insurance is needed, and there are no income requirements — anyone can order.

Several major pharmacies offer low-cost generic medication programs:

Walmart $4 Prescriptions: Offers 30-day supplies of hundreds of common generic medications for $4 and 90-day supplies for $10. No membership, no fee, and no insurance required. Covers medications for diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, mental health, thyroid, infections, and more. Some prices may be slightly higher in California and Minnesota.

Costco Pharmacy: Consistently rated one of the cheapest pharmacies in America. You do NOT need a Costco membership to use their pharmacy (by law, pharmacies must be accessible to non-members). Their generic prices are often the lowest available.

Other stores with low-cost generics include: Kroger ($4 generics), Publix (free antibiotics and other select medications), and Meijer (free medications for certain conditions). Always compare prices across multiple pharmacies — prices can vary dramatically for the same medication.

Tip: Even if you have insurance, the cash price with a discount card or store program may be cheaper than your insurance copay. Always ask your pharmacist to compare.

Nearly every major pharmaceutical manufacturer offers a Patient Assistance Program that provides brand-name medications free or at very low cost to people who cannot afford them. These programs are especially valuable for expensive brand-name drugs that have no generic alternative.

Eligibility varies by program but generally requires: household income below 200-400% of the Federal Poverty Level (some programs are more generous), U.S. residency, no insurance coverage for the medication (or inadequate coverage), and a valid prescription.

To find PAPs for your medications, use these free databases: NeedyMeds (needymeds.org) — search by drug name to find all available programs, coupons, and assistance options. RxAssist (rxassist.org) — comprehensive directory of manufacturer PAPs with eligibility details and application links. Medicine Assistance Tool (mat.org) — search tool from PhRMA that matches you with programs.

Applications typically require you to provide proof of income and have your doctor sign a form. Processing takes 2-6 weeks. Once approved, medications are usually shipped directly to your doctor's office or your home at no cost. Most programs require annual renewal.

The NeedyMeds helpline (1-800-503-6897) can help you navigate available programs, Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm ET.

The federal 340B Drug Pricing Program requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to sell outpatient drugs at steep discounts to safety-net healthcare providers, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). Covered entities can achieve average savings of 25-50% on pharmaceutical purchases, and they pass these savings on to patients.

If you get your care at a community health center, ask if they have a 340B pharmacy (either on-site or a contract pharmacy). If so, you can fill your prescriptions there at significantly reduced prices. Some health centers offer common generics for just a few dollars.

You qualify for 340B pricing simply by being a patient of a participating health center — there is no separate application. The discount applies regardless of your insurance status. To find a community health center near you, visit findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

The 340B program covers a wide range of medications including: chronic disease drugs (diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol), mental health medications, HIV/AIDS medications, antibiotics, and many others.

If you qualify for Medicaid, prescription drug coverage is included in your benefits. Medicaid covers a broad range of medications with very low copays — typically $0 to $4 per prescription. There are no deductibles and no coverage gaps.

Medicaid formularies (the list of covered drugs) vary by state, but most state programs cover: generic and brand-name medications for common conditions, mental health medications (antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers), medications for opioid use disorder (methadone, buprenorphine/Suboxone, naltrexone/Vivitrol), insulin and diabetes supplies, HIV medications, and specialty drugs.

If a medication you need is not on your state's formulary, your doctor can request a prior authorization or appeal to get it covered. For people who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibles), Medicaid can help pay Medicare prescription drug plan premiums and copays.

Apply for Medicaid at HealthCare.gov or your state Medicaid agency. In Medicaid expansion states, most adults with income below 138% FPL qualify.

If you are on Medicare, a major change took effect in 2025: there is now a $2,000 annual cap on out-of-pocket spending for prescription drugs covered under Medicare Part D. After you reach $2,000 in out-of-pocket costs, your plan covers 100% of your medication costs for the rest of the year.

Medicare also now negotiates prices directly with drug manufacturers for certain high-cost medications. The first negotiated prices took effect in 2026, covering 10 commonly used drugs. More drugs will be added in coming years.

If you have Medicare and struggle with drug costs, also look into: Medicare Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy) — pays most or all of your Part D premiums and copays if you have limited income. State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) — additional state-level help with prescription costs. Medicare Savings Programs — help pay Medicare premiums if you have low income.