Key takeaways:
GoodRx Companion is a paid healthcare discount membership that offers free or discounted prices on hundreds of prescription medications. Understanding the basics of the program can make the prescription-filling process easier for both patients and pharmacy staff.
You’ll use the same GoodRx Companion billing information for all requested prescriptions, which is different from the free medication-specific GoodRx discounts. Pharmacy teams can identify a GoodRx Companion card by the COMP group number.
If a patient’s expected Companion price doesn’t process correctly, confirm their date of birth, dose and quantity, and whether your pharmacy participates in Companion pricing.
GoodRx has long helped make prescription medications more affordable with free discounts. GoodRx Companion is a new program that expands medication and healthcare savings with a paid membership.
As the program rolls out, pharmacy teams may start seeing GoodRx Companion cards or hear questions about membership and prescription prices. Understanding how the program works can help pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and other pharmacy staff know what to expect and how to implement GoodRx Companion into your workflow.
What is GoodRx Companion?
GoodRx Companion is a paid healthcare discount membership for individuals and families. It provides members with discounted prices on prescription medications as well as savings on certain healthcare services.
Prescription benefits include more than 250 commonly used generic medications available for free and hundreds more for less than $10. Eligible medications and prices can change over time.
Companion also provides savings outside the pharmacy. Benefits include $19 online healthcare visits and discounts on certain dental, vision, laboratory, and imaging services.
Good to know: GoodRx Companion also offers free and discounted prices on over-the-counter (OTC) medications. But a prescription from a healthcare professional is required in order to access these savings at the pharmacy.
How do you process GoodRx Companion at the pharmacy?
Members may not always use the term “GoodRx Companion” when providing their discount card information. Often, they may simply say:
“I have GoodRx.”
“I have a GoodRx membership.”
“I have a GoodRx family plan.”
“My medication should be free.”
A digital GoodRx card with the following processing information is the best way to identify GoodRx Companion members:
BIN: 015995
PCN: GDC
Group: COMP (this is the best way to identify GoodRx Companion versus other GoodRx discounts)
Unlike other GoodRx discount cards, which are medication specific, you’ll use the same GoodRx Companion billing information each time, regardless of the medication being filled.
Troubleshooting tips
Here are some tips for navigating any issues that arise when billing GoodRx Companion at the pharmacy:
Double-check the date of birth. The date of birth on file at the pharmacy must match the date of birth used to register for GoodRx Companion. Ask the patient to check their GoodRx account to ensure there isn’t a mismatch between what GoodRx has on file and the pharmacy profile.
Confirm billing information: Confirm the prescription is being billed with GoodRx Companion information (Group# COMP), not a standard GoodRx discount card.
Check the dose and quantity: Make sure the dose and quantity being filled matches what’s showing on the GoodRx site. In some cases, only certain doses or quantities of a medication are available for free.
Verify your pharmacy offers GoodRx Companion pricing: The GoodRx site shows which pharmacies in the area offer GoodRx Companion pricing. Confirm your location is listed if the price isn’t coming back the way the patient expects.
If these tips don’t help resolve the issue, you can also reach out to GoodRx directly online or at 1-844-595-5222 for additional assistance.
Is GoodRx Companion insurance?
No, GoodRx Companion isn’t health insurance. It’s a discount program that members can use instead of insurance when paying for eligible prescriptions.
GoodRx Companion can’t be combined with commercial insurance or federal or state-funded programs, such as Medicare or Medicaid. But anyone can enroll in GoodRx Companion and use it instead of their standard insurance coverage.
Does GoodRx Companion work at every pharmacy?
No, GoodRx Companion discounts are available only through participating pharmacies. The GoodRx website and app will show which pharmacies in the area have Companion pricing for the chosen medication and dosage.
Members are instructed to confirm this information before coming to the pharmacy. But as mentioned, mistakes can happen. So it’s helpful to confirm pricing on the site if it doesn’t match what comes through when the prescription is billed at your pharmacy.
The bottom line
GoodRx Companion is a paid healthcare discount membership that offers free or discounted prices on hundreds of prescription medications. Understanding the basics of the program can make the prescription-filling process easier for both patients and pharmacy staff.
Unlike free, medication-specific GoodRx discounts, you’ll use the same GoodRx Companion billing information for all requested prescriptions. Pharmacy teams can identify a GoodRx Companion card by the COMP group number.
If a patient’s expected Companion price doesn’t process correctly, confirm their date of birth and ensure you’re billing Group# COMP, not an older discount card. You can also use the GoodRx website to confirm the pricing for the requested medication, dose, and quantity, as well as whether your pharmacy participates in Companion pricing. Keep in mind that GoodRx Companion isn’t insurance and can’t be combined with commercial insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.
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