Product Reviews

GoodRx: Saving Hundreds on Prescription Drugs

Written by Debt.com

GoodRx is saving Americans up to 80 percent on prescription drugs, and it’s 7 million monthly visitors are proof that it’s on to something. The GoodRx app gives thousands of people who need medication the opportunity to afford it, even more than many insurance plans. GoodRx reviews hundreds of drug prices to help you find low-cost prescriptions. Quite simply, GoodRx allows you to compare prescription prices and fill them at 70,000 U.S pharmacies.

Founded in 2011 by some of Facebook’s original employees, the company has done for prescription drugs what Facebook has done for social media. It’s reinvented the business. “Today, most patients leave their doctor’s office with no sense of what their prescriptions cost at the pharmacy,” said Doug Hirsch, co-founder, and co-CEO of GoodRx. “GoodRx provides price transparency so that you know exactly what you’ll pay at the counter.  It’s like Expedia, Orbitz, or Kayak, but for prescription drugs.”

In other words, this app can help with prescription costs, completely free of charge to you.

GoodRx leaves no one behind

The rising costs of prescription drugs leave many Americans without the medications they need to treat chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and mental illnesses.  Even if you have insurance, many plans have high deductibles or limited formularies that don’t cover the drugs you need. GoodRx can help by finding lower prices than your insurance copay. Hundreds of generic medications are available for a few dollars, or even for free without insurance. It’s no wonder that GoodRx has saved patients more than $3 billion on prescription drug costs. The best part is that it’s free to use.

To give you an idea, one medication not covered by insurance costs over $300 for a month supply. Using the app to compare prescription drug prices, the same medication costs between $59 and $63 in many of my local pharmacies. That’s one-fifth the original cost! And while $60 is still steep, it’s a deep discount welcomed by many who would gladly pay the lower price to feel better. Speaking of leaving no one behind, GoodRx also offers discount prescriptions for pets. Compare prescription prices on pet medications that treat anything from fleas and ticks, to heartworms, anxiety, and seizures.

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How does GoodRx work?

GoodRx pinpoints and compiles prices and discounts to help you find the lowest-cost pharmacy for your prescriptions. Simply visit the site or use the app, type in your prescription name and location, and it will list the prices and coupons for pharmacies near you. GoodRx saves you money even if you already have insurance and works for every member of the family, including your pets, as previously noted. The next time you visit your pharmacy, show your coupon and receive the savings – it’s that easy.

The GoodRx Pharmacy Discount Card

For those who prefer to use a more traditional method of saving, there is a pharmacy discount card. Fill out your address information on their website and receive a personalized card that can save you up to 80% on the medications you need. Whether you use the website, app, or card, GoodRx works to save you money at some of the biggest pharmacies out there, including:

  • Walgreens
  • Ralphs
  • CVS
  • Safeway
  • Rite Aid
  • Costco
  • Target
  • Kroger, and
  • Many more>

For even bigger savings, go for the Gold!

Need even bigger savings? They also offer GoodRx Gold, a premium service that provides extended savings of approximately 40 percent over GoodRx’s already low prices. This low-cost membership is ideal for a single person or even families (up to six total users, including even pets). This premium membership program offers over 1,000 prescriptions for less than $10, and up to 90 percent off a pharmacy’s cash price.

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Gold membership is free for the first 30 days. GoodRx prices for gold memberships are as follows:

  • Individuals – $5.99 per month
  • Families – $9.99 per month

To make things easier, gold subscribers do not have to compare prices. Instead, members enjoy one low price without having to shop around at participating pharmacies. If you spend money on multiple prescriptions for yourself or several family members, this might be the most cost-effective solution out there.

Save Money on Medicare Drugs

While Medicare can save you a good amount on your prescription drugs, GoodRx can possibly increase your savings. Save more on Medicare Part D or Advantage plan co-pays using our app. In some cases, GoodRx can find lower prices on medications your plan does not cover. The website provides an easy to understand cost breakdown and identifies when using your plan is better or worse than the discount offered through the site.

GoodRx Partnerships

It doesn’t stop with the app, site or discount card. The company has been establishing partnerships with major players in the pharmaceutical space to offer its users even more in discounts and savings.

InsideRX

Inside Rx provides consumers affordable brand-name and generic meds, offering savings of up to 34 percent. GoodRx and Inside Rx work together with drug manufacturers to get the lowest prices. Individuals who do not have insurance may be eligible to receive discounts through Inside Rx. Find out more about the program’s eligibility requirements today.

The CVS Pharmacy eCoupon Transfer Feature

You can now use the mobile or desktop website to transfer your prescription and a digital coupon to the location offering the lowest price. This applies at participating CVS and Target CVS locations. This is a wildly convenient way to take care of your medication needs, but there are some restrictions to consider.

GoodRx Review

Debt.com’s product review team decided to experience this prescription-saving app firsthand. Both reviewers were able to lower the cost of their medications using the app. However, there are many pharmacies (usually small, independent ones) that won’t take GoodRx because it causes them to lose money. Big chain pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS can be hesitant, but will usually take the discount with no issues. Especially if you don’t have insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover your medication, this is a great option.

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