Is GoodRx better than Part D?

GoodRx and Medicare Part D are different tools for prescription savings: Part D offers comprehensive drug coverage with set costs (premiums, deductibles, copays) and an annual spending cap, while GoodRx provides coupons for cheaper cash prices that don't count toward Part D, requiring you to choose the better price for each fill, but offering major savings, especially for drugs not covered well by your plan or if you haven't met your deductible yet. You can't combine them; use GoodRx when its price beats your Part D copay, but your prescription won't count towards your Part D progress if you use the coupon.


Is GoodRx as good as Medicare Part D?

No, GoodRx is not "as good as" Medicare Part D; it's a separate discount tool you can use instead of Part D for individual prescriptions when it's cheaper, but you still need Part D for overall coverage to avoid penalties and cover gaps, as GoodRx doesn't combine with Medicare and isn't insurance. GoodRx excels when your drug isn't covered, when its cash price beats your Part D copay, or during the coverage gap (donut hole). 

What is the downside to GoodRx?

Yes, there are downsides to using GoodRx, primarily concerning privacy breaches (sharing health data with advertisers), price volatility, potential conflicts with insurance, and the burden it places on pharmacies, requiring users to sometimes shop around extensively or use larger chains for best prices. It's a tool for savings, not a replacement for insurance, and users must be aware of fluctuating prices and potential privacy trade-offs. 


Why can't Medicare patients 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.

Can I use GoodRx if I have Part D?

Yes, you can use GoodRx with Medicare Part D, but you cannot combine them on the same prescription; you must choose the lower price, either your Medicare copay or the GoodRx coupon price. Use GoodRx instead of Part D if the coupon price is cheaper than your copay, if your medication isn't covered by your plan, or if you're in the coverage gap (donut hole) where costs are higher. Just tell the pharmacist to process the prescription as cash, not through your Medicare. 


GoodRX vs. Medicare Part D | Which Should You Get?



Why do pharmacies not like GoodRx?

GoodRx may seem good for patients, but it's not good for their local pharmacies and communities. by contracting with large PBMs, they take away patient choice and pharmacy choice. The discounts that seem like a benefit are killing their local pharmacy, one prescription at a time.

Why is GoodRx charging me $9.99 a month?

Unless you have a discounted Membership Fee, you will be charged $9.99 for the Individual Membership or $19.99 for the Family Membership for each monthly Membership Cycle, or $89 for the Individual Membership and $179 for the Family Membership for each annual Membership Cycle prior to or at the beginning of each ...

Is anything better than GoodRx?

Yes, several alternatives to GoodRx offer comparable or sometimes better prescription discounts, with top contenders being SingleCare, WellRx, and RxSaver, each varying in specific drug prices, so comparing them is key; also consider pharmacy-specific programs like CVS/Walgreens discounts, telehealth-integrated services like Blink Health, or even Costco's program for members, as no single card is always cheapest. 


Is Medicare Part D coverage worth it?

Yes, Medicare Part D is generally worth it for most people because it provides essential drug coverage, protects against high costs (with a $2,100 out-of-pocket cap in 2026), and avoids permanent late enrollment penalties, even if you don't take many medications now, as future needs can change unexpectedly. While you can opt for the cheapest plan if you have few prescriptions, the potential savings on brand-name drugs and the cost protection make it a valuable investment, especially with new features like payment plans for 2025. 

How can I lower my Medicare Part D prescription costs?

Other ways to lower your prescription drug costs:
  • Join Medicare drug coverage (Part D): ...
  • Ask your doctor if you can take a generic drug, or a cheaper brand-name drug (if one's available).
  • Check costs for mail-order pharmacies. ...
  • Learn if the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan might be able to help you manage your costs.


What do most people pay for Medicare Part D?

The average cost for a standalone Medicare Part D plan is around $34.50 per month for 2026, but costs vary widely by plan, location, and income, with deductibles up to $615 and copays/coinsurance for drugs. For Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans with drug coverage (MAPD), the average premium is lower, projected to be about $11.50 monthly in 2026, plus your Part B premium. Key costs include premiums, deductibles (max $615 in 2026), copays/coinsurance, and potential Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) for higher earners. 


Which medicare advantage plan denies the most claims?

Centene (Wellcare) and CVS Health (Aetna) have faced scrutiny for high prior authorization denial rates in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, with reports showing they had the most denied requests in 2023, though many denials were overturned on appeal, indicating issues with their strict criteria, while UnitedHealthcare also faces lawsuits and uses technology that has led to increased denials, especially for post-acute care, highlighting systemic challenges with MA plan claim approvals. 

Who has the best Part D prescription drug plan?

  • Best for low average premiums: Wellcare Medicare Part D.
  • Best for $0 premiums: Humana Medicare Part D.
  • Additional Medicare Part D companies.
  • Best for widespread availability: AARP Medicare Part D Plans from UnitedHealthcare.
  • Best pharmacy network: Aetna SilverScript Medicare Part D Plans.


Can pharmacies refuse to accept GoodRx?

Are pharmacies required to accept GoodRx coupons? Participating pharmacies are required to accept GoodRx through contracts with their pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). An exception is for controlled medications. Accepting a GoodRx coupon for a controlled medication is always at the discretion of the pharmacist.


What drugs are not covered by Medicare Part D?

Medicare Part D excludes drugs for weight loss/gain, fertility, cosmetic purposes/hair growth, and most cold/cough relief, plus prescription vitamins (except prenatal/fluoride), OTC meds, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and some compounds, though plans can offer exceptions like specific weight loss drugs used for other conditions (e.g., heart health) or supplemental coverage for some excluded items. 

What is the downside to using GoodRx?

Yes, there are downsides to using GoodRx, primarily concerning privacy breaches (sharing health data with advertisers), price volatility, potential conflicts with insurance, and the burden it places on pharmacies, requiring users to sometimes shop around extensively or use larger chains for best prices. It's a tool for savings, not a replacement for insurance, and users must be aware of fluctuating prices and potential privacy trade-offs. 

What is the best prescription card for seniors?

Here Are the Best Prescription Discount Cards in 2026
  • SingleCare - Best Prescription Drug Price Comparison.
  • America's Pharmacy - Most Versatile Prescription Discount Card.
  • WellRx - Best Prescription Discount Card App.
  • GoodRx Gold - Best Paid Prescription Discount Card.


Who cannot use GoodRx?

Insurance & Medicare

You can use a GoodRx discount instead of your prescription insurance or Medicare if the cost is lower. However, GoodRx cannot be combined with your insurance or any federal or state-funded program such as Medicare or Medicaid.

Why is GoodRx being investigated?

Why are lawsuits being filed? It is alleged that GoodRx and the PBMs used proprietary algorithms to share confidential pricing data and ultimately engage in price-fixing when it comes to the reimbursements offered for generic prescription drugs.

How many times can I use GoodRx?

You can use GoodRx coupons and cards multiple times, even for refills, as they don't expire, but you should get a new coupon each time from the app or website for the best, most current price, as prices change; GoodRx allows use for most drugs, but it can't be combined with insurance or government programs like Medicare/Medicaid, and rewards points expire after inactivity. 


Do pharmacies lose money from GoodRx?

Yes, pharmacies often lose money or make very little profit on prescriptions filled through GoodRx because these programs pay pharmacies significantly less than their costs, sometimes even below acquisition price, forcing pharmacies to pay fees to PBMs/card companies, creating financial strain, especially for independent pharmacies. While GoodRx offers savings for consumers, the reimbursement structure means pharmacies cover dispensing costs, pay transaction fees, and receive deeply discounted payments, leading to potential losses on individual fills. 

Did CVS stop accepting GoodRx?

GoodRx is accepted at more than 70,000 pharmacies nationwide — including major chains like CVS, Walgreens, Costco, VONS, and Albertsons.

Can a pharmacist overrule a doctor's prescription?

Can a Pharmacist Change My Dosage? A pharmacist cannot change the dosage of your prescription without talking to your doctor and getting their approval.


Is there a better discount than GoodRx?

To find cheaper options than GoodRx, check competitors like SingleCare, WellRx, and Blink Health, as prices vary by medication, but also compare pharmacy-specific programs like CVS's or Costco's for potentially better deals on certain drugs, as no single service is always cheapest.