What is a Mail-Order Pharmacy? Here Are 5 Things to Consider

A hectic schedule sometimes makes going to the pharmacy feel like a hassle. Even though it’s an important errand, wading through long lines and dealing with issues at the pickup window can be a downer.

Situations like these may have you thinking about your insurance company's mail-order pharmacy. It’s a closed-door pharmacy that ships medications directly to your home.

While mail-order pharmacies are convenient for some, it's not always smooth sailing. And savings aren't a sure thing. If you’re interested in using a mail-order pharmacy, here are the top five things you need to know.

1. How do mail-order pharmacies work?

Most mail-order pharmacies operate through your insurer’s pharmacy benefit manager (PBM). Using a mail-order service that doesn’t have a contract with your insurer's PBM could result in coverage issues.

You can sign up for mail order by sending in your insurer’s mail-order form with your prescription. Another option is to have your prescriber phone or fax it in directly. You can usually submit refill requests online, over the phone, or through a mobile app.

2. How do I know if a mail-order pharmacy is right for me?

If you’d like your prescriptions delivered to you rather than having to pick them up at the pharmacy, mail order may seem like a no-brainer.

Depending on your insurer, discounts can also be significant — particularly when it comes to certain generic medications that you take regularly for chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. For those medications, you may be able to order a 90-day supply of some drugs for a co-payment of just a few dollars — or even $0, including free shipping, in some cases.

But before signing up, you’ll want to make sure you’ll benefit. That means comparing what your insurer’s mail-order pharmacy will charge (including shipping) with your local pharmacy’s prices.

Many insurance companies offer 90-day fills at local pharmacies for similar prices to mail-order pharmacies. For example, if Caremark is your PBM, you likely can purchase a 90-day fill at a CVS for the same price as a mail-order fill. Check with your individual health plan to see where you can get 90-day fills at the best rates.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Changing pharmacies: Want to transfer your medication to or from a mail-order pharmacy? Here’s the step-by-step process.

• Specialty pharmacy shipments: Here’s a roundup of pharmacist-backed tips for getting a specialty medication delivered by mail.

• Medication containers: Some medications are dispensed in pharmacy vials, while others remain in their original manufacturer containers. Discover why this small detail in packaging choice matters.

3. How is my insurance plan’s mail-order pharmacy different from an online pharmacy?

It’s easy to confuse mail-order pharmacies and online pharmacies. But the only similarity is that both ship medicines directly to your home.

Mail-order pharmacies operate through your health plan and require that you have one particular kind of insurance. By comparison, online pharmacies tend to operate like an online drugstore. They are separate entities from your PBM, and they may or may not accept your insurance.

Good to know: Every online pharmacy has different policies. Contact the pharmacy that you’re interested in to see if they accept your insurance. Also ask if they keep your preferred medication(s) in stock.

4. When should I stick to my local retail pharmacy?

If your medications are reasonably priced at your local retail pharmacy, you have a good relationship with the pharmacy staff there, and you’re happy with the pharmacy’s service, there may be no need to change.

Chain and big-box stores may offer generics at discounted prices without insurance. Walmart, for example, offers a 90-day supply of dozens of generics for only $10.

Since mail-order pharmacies typically ship 90-day supplies of medications at a time, and since they often take about a week to be delivered, mail-order may not be for you if you need a prescription immediately or have a prescription that only requires a few doses. For example, this may include post-surgery medications or antibiotics for an infection.

What’s more, mail-order pharmacies have pharmacists on staff ready to assist you and answer questions. But if you prefer a more personal, face-to-face relationship with a pharmacist, stick with a walk-in pharmacy.

5. What are the downsides to using a mail-order pharmacy?

First and foremost, errors in communication.

For instance, mail-order prescriptions may not always arrive on time, which can be dangerous for people who rely on life-saving medications. To avoid delays, make sure you set up orders at least 2 weeks before you’ll run out of your medications if you don’t have automatic refills.

The opposite problem can happen too. Mail-order pharmacies might auto-renew your prescriptions without confirming if you’re still taking a drug or whether your dosage has changed. Thankfully, Medicare Part D drug plans require mail-order pharmacies to get the OK from a medication recipient or caregiver before shipping a new prescription or refill.

Also, with any type of delivery service, there’s also the chance your package could be lost, stolen, or damaged in the mail. Mail-order programs will try to prevent that by using protective packaging, but in the event that your medications are damaged or lost, call your pharmacy immediately for a replacement.

Safety tip: If you get some of your medications via mail order and others at a walk-in pharmacy, be sure to let each pharmacy know about all of the medications you’re taking. This will allow your pharmacist to check for potentially dangerous drug interactions. Most pharmacy systems aren’t connected to each other, especially if they’re different companies.

Optimizing mail-order pharmacy services: How to make the most of your prescription delivery benefits

As with any service, there are ways to maximize the value of your mail-order pharmacy. 

Here’s a summary of tips to make the most of your prescription delivery benefits:

• Synchronize your deliveries: By asking your pharmacist to coordinate the arrival of your medications, you can ensure you receive them all at once (or in fewer shipments than normal).

• Use the mobile app, if available: Some pharmacies offer mobile apps that allow you to conveniently order refills and track deliveries right from your smartphone.

• Review your formulary: Familiarize yourself with the formulary of your mail-order pharmacy (and insurer) to understand which medications are preferred.

• Review your plan’s fine print: See if any of your prescriptions are actually cheaper through a local pharmacy (instead of mail order).

• Find out how to get free delivery: Ask your pharmacy staff if you need to take any extra steps to avoid shipping fees.

• Look into medication therapy management (MTM): Ask your pharmacist if they offer MTM services, which help optimize your medication regimen and ensure you’re getting the most benefit from your prescriptions.

• Ask about specialty pharmacy services: Some mail-order pharmacies, but not all, offer specialty medications. 

• Ask questions in a private setting: One con of some traditional pharmacies is their public setting, making it hard to work up the courage to ask sensitive medication questions. But working with a mail-order pharmacy allows you to have these discussions in private over the phone.

Does GoodRx do mail order?

Yes. With GoodRx Gold, you can get prescriptions mailed straight to your doorstep while also saving on prescription costs. Close to 1,000 medications are available with free shipping. You can also get a free 30-day trial.

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Written by:

Elizabeth Davis

Elizabeth Davis was GoodRx’s first medical editor and consumer savings expert. She hand-assembled the GoodRx drug database and researched virtually every available discount program and savings opportunity available at the time.

Written by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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