Can I use GoodRx if I'm in the donut hole?

Asked by: Dr. Collin Price MD  |  Last update: February 3, 2024
Score: 5/5 (35 votes)

GoodRx can't be used in combination with Medicare, but it can be used in place of Medicare. You may want to consider using GoodRx instead of Medicare when Medicare doesn't cover your medication, when you won't reach your annual deductible, or when you're in the coverage gap phase (“donut hole”) of your Medicare plan.

How do you get around the Medicare donut hole?

Here are some ideas:
  1. Buy Generic Prescriptions. ...
  2. Order your Medications by Mail and in Advance. ...
  3. Ask for Drug Manufacturer's Discounts. ...
  4. Consider Extra Help or State Assistance Programs. ...
  5. Shop Around for a New Prescription Drug Plan.

How much do you have to spend to get out of the donut hole on Medicare?

How do I get out of the donut hole? In all Part D plans, you enter catastrophic coverage after you reach $7,400 in out-of-pocket costs for covered drugs. This amount is made up of what you pay for covered drugs and some costs that others pay (see below).

Can a pharmacy reject GoodRx?

Pharmacies listed on GoodRx are contractually obligated to honor most coupons we display. However, discounts for controlled substances are honored at the discretion of the individual pharmacy or pharmacist.

Can you use GoodRx if you have?

Prescription discounts, including those from GoodRx, can be a great option if you don't have health insurance. But if you do have insurance, you can always use a GoodRx discount instead of insurance if the cost is lower. Coupons can't be used to lower a copay, but you can ask your pharmacist to: Apply a coupon.

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Using GoodRx Prescription Drug Discounts

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Who qualifies to use GoodRx?

Yes! Anyone can use GoodRx, regardless of whether they have commercial insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or no insurance. Your patients should tell the pharmacist they will use a GoodRx discount instead of their insurance when they pay for their prescriptions.

What is the best way to use GoodRx?

You can use GoodRx by visiting the website or downloading the GoodRx mobile app. Then, enter the prescription drug's name to find the best deal nearby. Once you find the best deal, you can select it and get a coupon for your discount. Finally, you'll present the coupon at the pharmacy to receive the price reduction.

When can you not use GoodRx?

Keep in mind that you cannot use GoodRx and insurance at the same time. However, you can use GoodRx instead of insurance or government-funded programs, such as Medicare or Medicaid, to pay for your prescription medications.

What are the negatives of GoodRx?

GoodRx Reviews

While 80% of customers rate the popular discount card as excellent, another 14% rate the company as bad. The most common complaints seem to be related to customer service and discounts that change or are not honored at the pharmacy.

Why is CVS not honoring GoodRx?

Can CVS Deny GoodRx? According to contracts signed between GoodRx and the Pharmacy Benefit Managers of participating pharmacies, all stores must accept GoodRx. Therefore, the only way CVS can deny GoodRx is when a CVS pharmacist rejects it for controlled substances.

Can I avoid the donut hole?

If you have limited income and resources, you may want to see if you qualify to receive Medicare's Extra Help/Part D Low-Income Subsidy. People with Extra Help see significant savings on their drug plans and medications at the pharmacy, and do not fall into the donut hole. See if you qualify and apply today.

What happens after the donut hole?

If you enter the Donut Hole, you may have to pay a higher price for your medications until the next January 1, or until your out-of-pocket costs qualify you for another level of insurance called Catastrophic Coverage.

Is the donut hole going away with Medicare Part D?

When did the donut hole close? The donut hole finally closed for good in 2020, having been phased out in 2019 for brand-name drugs and then in 2020 for generic drugs. The Affordable Care Act enacted in March 2010 gradually reduced the share of costs people had to pay in the donut hole starting in 2011.

What will the Medicare donut hole be in 2024?

In 2024, costs in the catastrophic phase will change: the 5% coinsurance requirement for Part D enrollees will be eliminated and Part D plans will pay 20% of total drug costs in this phase instead of 15%.

Does the donut hole reset every year?

Does the Donut Hole or Coverage Gap restart every year on January 1st or do we stay in the Gap from the previous year? Your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan coverage starts again each year — and along with your new coverage, your Donut Hole or Coverage Gap begins again each plan year.

Does everyone on Medicare have the donut hole?

Most Medicare drug plans have a coverage gap (also called the "donut hole"). This means there's a temporary limit on what the drug plan will cover for drugs. Not everyone will enter the coverage gap. The coverage gap begins after you and your drug plan have spent a certain amount for covered drugs.

Can seniors on Medicare use GoodRx?

GoodRx can't be used in combination with Medicare, but it can be used in place of Medicare. You may want to consider using GoodRx instead of Medicare when Medicare doesn't cover your medication, when you won't reach your annual deductible, or when you're in the coverage gap phase (“donut hole”) of your Medicare plan.

Why is GoodRx tanking?

GoodRx (ticker: GDRX) on Monday retracted its guidance and said that its second quarter will see a $30 million revenue hit because a key grocer, which accounted for 25% of its transactions, is renegotiating contracts with all pharmacy benefit managers or PBMs on a subset of drugs.

Is GoodRx a sham?

Is GoodRx Legit or Scam? GoodRx is legit. With GoodRx discount cards or discounts through their mobile app, they've helped people save up to 80% on their medications, whether they have insurance or not.

Who pays the difference when using GoodRx?

When a patient redeems a GoodRx discount coupon, the pharmacy pays a fee to the PBM, who splits the fee with GoodRx. GoodRx also takes in membership fees from consumers and marketing revenue from pharmaceutical companies that use its platform.

Is Walgreens no longer accepting GoodRx?

GoodRx Gold offers even more discounts and offers than the free service, and it also includes discounts on healthcare services, including annual checkups for as little as $19 per visit. Unfortunately, GoodRx Gold is not accepted at Walgreens.

Is GoodRx Gold worth it?

You can save up to 90 percent off regular pharmacy prices with GoodRx Gold, making it one of our favorite prescription discount cards.

How many times can you use GoodRx?

GoodRx coupons do not expire; you can use and reuse the coupons as often as you like. To make sure you get the best price, we recommend providing your pharmacist with a new coupon each time you fill your prescription.

Is there a better app than GoodRx?

Prescryptive Health claims to be a better solution than GoodRx due to: We have a solution that works for both pharmacies and consumers. GoodRx charge high admin fees, harming pharmacies and creating a strong disincentive for using their product.

How fast does GoodRx work?

For all visits completed during office hours Monday-Friday, we can usually process and send out your prescription to be received by the pharmacy within 4 hours.