What are manufacturer drug coupons and how can they help?

An older couple looks over the information that came with one of their prescription medications.

Millions of U.S. adults aren’t taking their medications as prescribed because they are too expensive.

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that of the 58% of adults ages 18 to 64 who take prescription medications, 8% (9.2 million adults) are not taking their medications as prescribed due to cost.

Instead, they are resorting to cost-cutting methods like splitting pills, delaying fills, or skipping doses, putting them at risk of developing serious health complications, disease progression, and, ultimately, higher medical costs in the future.

While there are some simple ways to save money on prescription medications, such as opting for a generic version of a medication instead of a brand-name one, not all medications have a generic equivalent. This is where manufacturer coupons can come into play.

How manufacturer coupons work

Brand-name medications make up 20% of the prescriptions Americans fill, yet they account for 80% of prescription drug spending.¹

One way pharmaceutical companies are helping decrease the financial burden on patients is by offering coupons directly from their website to lower the out-of-pocket cost for brand-name medications. These coupons are generally available for new medications or medications that don’t have a generic equivalent.

Depending on your health plan benefits, the value of the drug coupon may count toward your out-of-pocket maximum, potentially saving you even more money.

Manufacturer drug coupons do have some drawbacks

While manufacturer coupons are intended to save you money and help you stay on track with taking your medication, there are certain drawbacks to keep in mind.

You can’t use manufacturer coupons if you have Medicare or any federal- or state-run insurance.
You can only use them for a limited number of refills.
In order to apply for these coupons, you may be required to provide medical information to the manufacturer, which some drug companies may use to send you marketing materials.
Most coupons are billed through your primary insurance first before you’re eligible for the discount, so if you are uninsured, you may not be eligible to use them.
Manufacturer coupons reduce how much money you pay out of pocket, but your health plan is still charged as if you paid the cost in full. This means that your health plan will end up covering the difference in cost, which could lead to higher healthcare premiums long-term.

What’s the difference between manufacturer coupons and prescription discount cards?

While manufacturer coupons are often very helpful, it’s important to understand that they are not the same as prescription discount cards.

Manufacturer coupons help offset the cost of prescription medications that are covered by insurance.
Prescription discount cards are meant for people who are uninsured or whose medication is not covered by their insurance. These cards save you a percentage off the full cash price of a prescription medication.

Express Scripts^® Pharmacy is here to help you save

At Express Scripts^® Pharmacy, we understand how stressful it can be to pay for prescription medications and how important it is to take your medication as prescribed.

Our pharmacists are always looking for ways to save you money through generic medications, lower-cost alternatives, and programs that can help.

We also automatically apply available manufacturer coupons to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs, so you don’t have to do any searching or digging around for discounts. You’ll see the savings reflected in your final bill.