It’s safe to say there are more things you can get on Amazon than things you can’t. Take Amazon Pharmacy, for instance, which was launched in November 2020. This service allows people to receive their prescriptions through the mail in a timely and discreet manner.
If you are a Prime members, you can get your prescriptions in two days for free. If you are not a Prime member, you can receive your prescriptions in four to five days for free, or you can pay a fee of $5.99 to receive them in two days.
We’ve got lots to tell you about Amazon Pharmacy, and we’ll try to answer your questions — including telling you all about the brand-new RxPass for $5/month.
TIP: Amazon doesn’t (yet) have same-day prescription delivery. They recommend going through your local pharmacy for any quick-turnaround prescriptions.
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1. How do I get started with Amazon Pharmacy?
The powers that be over at the ‘zon make it really simple to connect with Amazon Pharmacy. You’ll set up a secure account with your personal info. Then, your medical provider can begin sending prescriptions right to Amazon Pharmacy. After one of their pharmacists reviews the prescription, you’ll get a notification that you have the go-ahead to place the medication order.
If you have an existing prescription somewhere else and want to transfer it, they’ll reach out so you can get the ball rolling.
Related: 16 Ways To Get Amazon Freebies
2. How do Amazon Pharmacy’s prices stack up against competitors?
One thing we really like is their transparency in terms of pricing. You can simply go to Amazon and enter the name of your medication in the search bar. The results will show pricing options, which include any discounts for Prime members and your copay insurance cost (they’ll need some additional information to provide that cost).
Whether you’re uninsured or you have to pay out-of-pocket for prescriptions, Prime members have access to PrimeRx, a free savings program.
Similar to GoodRx, PrimeRx promises discounts of up to 80% on generic medications and up to 40% on brand-name prescriptions.
Present your digital discount card at 60,000 participating pharmacies across the country (as well as Amazon Pharmacy) to get the benefits.
PrimeRx members will see their discounts applied to the non-insurance price at checkout. Many times, that price could be cheaper than the insurance copay.
Amazon Pharmacy automatically applies coupons to insulin and diabetes meds.
Cheap insulin is pretty easily accessible now. Amazon Pharmacy announced that as of August 2023, they’ll automatically apply manufacturer-sponsored coupons to over 15 insulin and diabetes medicines. This means patients can easily access promised discounts from drug manufacturers like Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi without having to enter those coupons manually.
3. So, what is Amazon RxPass?
Amazon Pharmacy recently introduced RxPass, a new Prime membership benefit providing affordable access to generic medications for over 80 common health conditions. For just $5 a month, Prime members can receive unlimited eligible medications delivered to their door for free, without the need for health insurance.
The $5 monthly fee covers the cost of the eligible generic medications, with no additional charges or deductibles. Patients also have access to 24/7 support from Amazon pharmacists, making it a convenient and cost-effective option for managing their health. RxPass is available now to customers in most U.S. states and can be easily canceled if needed. You can sign up on the Amazon Pharmacy website or app.
4. Can I use Amazon gift cards at Amazon Pharmacy?
Unfortunately, no. Amazon Pharmacy doesn’t accept Amazon gift cards as payment.
In case you got excited that you could use all of the free Amazon credits you’ve earned to pay for prescriptions, be aware that at this time, Amazon Pharmacy doesn’t accept them. Acceptable payment methods include:
- Major credit/debit cards
- Amazon credit cards (Amazon Store Card, Amazon Rewards Visa Signature Card)
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for eligible items
- Health Savings Accounts (HSA) for eligible items
5. How can I ask questions about my prescriptions?
Just because you’re skipping the in-person line at a traditional pharmacy doesn’t mean you don’t still have access to a knowledgeable professional. Amazon Pharmacy customers have access to real pharmacists. You can learn more about your medications, use online self-service tools to get help, and chat with pharmacists on the phone 24/7 at no extra charge.
6. What is happening to PillPack?
Have no fear, you can still get PillPack.
Amazon built their pharmacy program on the infrastructure of PillPack, an established online pharmacy.
The difference between the two is that Amazon Pharmacy is a lot like your traditional pharmacy, giving you medications in bottles. PillPack, on the other hand, sorts and organizes multiple medications into packets, organized by date and time.
Amazon Pharmacy takes only two days to process orders, while PillPack orders are in bulk and take two to four weeks.
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