What Are Drug Coupons?
Drug coupons are manufacturer-sponsored savings programs for brand-name prescription medications. Pharmaceutical companies offer them to help patients with commercial or private insurance who either lack drug coverage or find their copay or coinsurance unaffordable.
Unlike a prescription discount or savings card, which replaces your insurance at the point of sale, a drug coupon works alongside your insurance. Your insurance is billed first, and the coupon covers some or all of the remaining copay or coinsurance you would normally owe.
Drug coupons are also referred to as:
Copay cards
Copay coupons
Copay assistance programs
Who Can Use Drug Coupons?
Drug coupons are available to patients who have commercial or private health insurance. They are especially useful if your plan does not cover a specific brand-name medication, or if your copay or coinsurance makes it difficult to afford.
Drug coupons cannot be used if you are:
Uninsured
Covered by Medicare
Covered by Medicaid
Covered by TRICARE
Covered by VA benefits
Covered by any other federal, state, or government-funded insurance program
If you are uninsured or covered by a government plan, scroll down to the Alternative Options section for programs that may be able to help.
How Much Can I Save?
Savings depend on the specific coupon terms set by the pharmaceutical manufacturer for your medication. Some coupons reduce your out-of-pocket cost to as little as $0 per fill. If you qualify, NowPatient will clearly explain the benefit and any limitations, including any applicable caps or fill limits before you use it.
How to Find and Use a Drug Coupons
The entire process takes just a few minutes and is handled from within your NowPatient account:
Open the Drug Coupons Service Card. Go to the Drug Savings section of the account homepage and locate the Drug Coupons Service Card.
Search for your medication. Using the options button on the card, select 'Search'. You will be taken to a search page where you can start entering the name of your brand-name medication into the search field. If a manufacturer coupon is available, your medication will appear.
Complete the eligibility quiz. After selecting your medication, you will be prompted to complete a short eligibility quiz. This checks whether you meet the pharmaceutical company's terms and conditions for that specific coupon.
Receive your notification. If you qualify, you will receive a notification in the Notifications Section of the account home page. This will include all the information and instructions to access documents that are required to be submitted to the pharmaceutical company, or a card that you can download and use directly.
Present the coupon at your pharmacy. When collecting your prescription, let the pharmacist know you have a coupon before they scan your medication at checkout. Present your coupon or card, printed or displayed digitally, and your insurance will be billed first, with the coupon covering some or all of your remaining out-of-pocket cost.
Who Provides Drug Coupons?
Pharmaceutical manufacturers sponsor drug coupons for their own brand-name prescription medications. Each manufacturer sets its own eligibility requirements, savings amounts, and program terms. NowPatient searches available coupons across manufacturers and presents the results to you in one place, free of charge.
Do I Automatically Qualify for a Drug Coupon?
Not necessarily. Each drug coupon has eligibility requirements set by the pharmaceutical company that sponsors it. NowPatient's eligibility quiz is designed to quickly determine whether you meet those terms and conditions. If you qualify, you can download or access your coupon immediately and use it at your next pharmacy visit.
How Do I Use My Coupon at the Pharmacy?
Always let your pharmacist know you have a drug coupon before they begin processing your prescription. If the coupon is presented after the medication has been scanned and billed through your insurance, it may not be applied correctly.
Show the pharmacist your coupon or card, either printed or displayed digitally from your NowPatient account. Your insurance will be billed first, and the coupon will then reduce or eliminate your remaining out-of-pocket cost.
Alternative Options If You Are Not Eligible for a Drug Coupon
Drug coupons are only available to commercially insured patients. If you have government insurance or are uninsured and struggling with the cost of your medication, the following programs may be able to help.
If You Have Government Insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, VA)
Consider these federal and state assistance options:
Low Income Subsidy (LIS) / Extra Help: Apply online at SSA Medicare Part D Extra Help (https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help) or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778).
State assistance programs: Such as Medicaid. Contact your state's Medicaid office to check eligibility.
If You Are Commercially Insured and No Coupon Is Available
If you have already applied to Medicaid and received a denial letter, the following independent patient assistance organisations may be able to provide financial support:
Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation
PAN may be able to assist if you meet one or more of the following criteria:
Income below 400% of the federal poverty level
Medication prescribed for an FDA-approved indication
You live in and receive treatment in the US or US territories (citizenship is not required)
Your medication is on PAN's list of covered medications
Visit the Patient Access Network Foundation website at https://www.panfoundation.org/ for more information.
HealthWell Foundation Copay Program
HealthWell may assist if you meet all of the following criteria:
You live in and are being treated in the United States
You are insured with a plan that covers your medication
Your medication is on the HealthWell Foundation's list of covered medications
Visit the HealthWell Foundation website at https://www.healthwellfoundation.org/ for more information.
Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief Program
This program provides direct financial assistance for copays, coinsurance, and deductibles to reduce financial hardship. To qualify, you must meet all of the following:
Currently insured with coverage that includes your medication
Confirmed diagnosis and active treatment plan
You reside in and receive treatment in the United States
Income at or below 300% or 400% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (based on Cost of Living Index and household size)
Visit the Patient Advocate Foundation Co-Pay Relief website at https://copays.org/ for more information.