Key takeaways:
GoodRx coupons help lower the price of many medications, including exclusive deals on certain brand-name medications. They’re a useful option especially when you’re uninsured, facing an insurance denial, or dealing with a high copay.
You can’t use GoodRx with insurance. But you can compare prices and choose whichever option — coupon or insurance — gives you the lowest cost for each fill.
GoodRx coupons never require prior authorization or step therapy. So when the pharmacy says you need one, they’re likely billing your insurance — not GoodRx. If you want to skip that process, ask them to run GoodRx instead.
GoodRx offers multiple ways to save on the medications you need, including standard pharmacy coupons, GoodRx Gold, and condition-focused subscriptions that combine virtual care with medication delivery.
Prescription costs can feel unpredictable, especially if you’re uninsured or run into a health insurance snag at the pharmacy. Maybe a claim gets denied, your medication isn’t on your plan’s formulary (a list of covered medications), or you’re stuck in a coverage gap. GoodRx coupons can help keep those surprise costs in check.
These coupons list discounted cash prices for many medications, including exclusive discounts on brand-name options, at thousands of U.S. pharmacies. They’re free to use and you don’t need insurance to take advantage of them.
Below, we’ll cover how GoodRx can help you save on brand-name medications and how to apply these discounts when insurance falls short.
What kinds of medications does GoodRx offer coupons for?
GoodRx offers coupons for most prescription medications you’ll find at a community (retail) pharmacy. Several over-the-counter (OTC) products, such as allergy medications and pain relievers, also have GoodRx discounts if your healthcare professional writes a prescription for them.
While GoodRx has long offered the biggest savings on generic medications, it's now expanding its offerings on brand-name products, too. These savings vary depending on the medication and pharmacy. But they can offer meaningful price relief if you’re facing a high copay, coverage denial, or formulary exception.
While not a complete list, these are some popular brand-name products that have exclusive savings through GoodRx:
Ozempic (semaglutide)
Wegovy (semaglutide)
Lantus (insulin glargine)
Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
Dulera (mometasone / formoterol)
Lo Loestrin Fe (norethindrone acetate / ethinyl estradiol / ferrous fumarate)
Premarin (conjugated estrogens)
Arimidex (anastrozole)
Chantix (varenicline)
Adalimumab-adbm, a biosimilar to Humira
In most cases, GoodRx works best when the coupon price is lower than your insurance copay or when you’re paying entirely out of pocket. It’s also a good alternative if you want to skip the appeals process with your insurance plan.
Good to know: GoodRx coupons aren’t typically available for medications filled solely through specialty pharmacies, compounding pharmacies, or inpatient medical facilities.
How to use GoodRx coupons on brand-name medications at the pharmacy
Using GoodRx for brand-name medications works the same way it does for generics. There’s no extra learning curve. This simplicity can make a big difference since insurance often adds restrictions such as prior authorization or step therapy before they’ll cover a brand-name product.
Here’s how to get started.
Finding ways to save: GoodRx experts discuss how to pay less for over-the-counter (OTC) products with a prescription.
Get help affording your prescriptions: If you qualify, you can get aid paying for medications from programs offered by nonprofits, your state, and even medication manufacturers.
Why do medications get dropped from formularies? There are various reasons why an insurer may stop covering a prescription medication, including a less costly generic entering the market.
Keeping your medications if you lose Medicaid: Asking your prescriber for additional refills, switching to generic medications, and using GoodRx can help you save on prescriptions if you lose Medicaid coverage.
Important: GoodRx coupons never require prior authorization or step therapy. So if the pharmacy says your medication needs one of these, they’re probably billing the claim through your insurance — not GoodRx. In this case, ask them to bill GoodRx instead of your insurance.
1. Get a prescription
All GoodRx coupons require a valid prescription from a licensed prescriber. This applies even for medications that are available OTC. The pharmacy needs a prescription on file to process a GoodRx coupon.
If you don’t already have a prescription, contact a healthcare professional. GoodRx also offers online medical visits for certain conditions, which is a handy option if you need a prescription fast or can’t get in to see someone in person.
2. Find your coupon
Once you know the medication, dose, and formulation you need, search for it on the GoodRx website or GoodRx app (available in the App Store and Google Play). You’ll see a list of pharmacies near you along with coupon prices. These prices can vary, so it’s worth comparing pharmacies before you decide where to fill.
Select the coupon you want to use, then save it to your phone or print it out. Each coupon includes a set of codes (BIN, PCN, Group, and Member ID) that the pharmacy team uses to process your discount.
That said, if your prescription is sent to a pharmacy after a telehealth visit or clinic appointment, you may not even need to look up this information yourself. You can ask your prescriber to add GoodRx coupon details as a note in the e-prescription when they send it in.
3. Go to the pharmacy counter (or drive-thru)
Bring your coupon to the pharmacy and show it early in the process — ideally when you first drop off your prescription.
If your prescription was sent electronically, you can call the pharmacy with your GoodRx coupon information or ask your prescriber to include it when they fax it over. Just keep in mind that coupon details can sometimes get lost when they’re sent in this way, so it’s a good idea to double-check that your GoodRx price was applied before you pick up your medication.
Sharing your coupon upfront helps the pharmacy run the correct pricing from the start and prevents delays from having to reprocess the claim later. The pharmacy team can enter the coupon information, confirm your final price, and can store the coupon in your profile for future use.
Tip: If the pharmacy’s price doesn’t match what you saw on the website or in the app, you can ask them to recheck the processing codes or contact GoodRx for help. Prices can change, but the coupon you bring in should reflect the most current offer.
How to use GoodRx subscription services
GoodRx offers a few subscription options that help you save on prescriptions. These memberships go beyond standard coupons, giving you access to convenient care options.
GoodRx’s subscription services are designed for specific health needs, such as GoodRx for Hair Loss, GoodRx for Erectile Dysfunction, and GoodRx for Weight Loss. These programs bundle affordable virtual care with low-cost medications, making treatment more convenient and budget-friendly.
With these programs, you can:
Complete an online consultation with a licensed U.S. healthcare professional
Receive personalized treatment recommendations
Access discounted pricing on your requested medications
Skip the pharmacy and have medications delivered directly to your home (depending on program and prescribed medication)
How to use GoodRx Gold
GoodRx Gold is a monthly membership program that offers deeper discounts on thousands of brand and generic medications. With Gold, you’ll often see lower prices than what’s available through regular GoodRx coupons.
To use GoodRx Gold:
Sign up for a membership: You can choose an individual plan or a family plan.
Search for your medication: Prices shown with the Gold badge reflect your member discount.
Show your Gold coupon at the pharmacy: You’ll receive the Gold price instead of the standard coupon price.
Gold also includes access to discounted online healthcare visits for select conditions, which can help if you need a quick, convenient way to get a prescription.
Can you use GoodRx with insurance?
No, you can’t use GoodRx with insurance. A GoodRx coupon and insurance claim can’t be applied to the same prescription at the same time. It’s typically one or the other.
GoodRx is often a helpful option if:
You don’t have insurance
Your medication isn’t covered by your plan
Your insurance claim is denied
Your copay or coinsurance is higher than the coupon price
You’re in a coverage gap
In these situations, the GoodRx coupon price may be lower than what you’d pay with insurance. You’re free to choose whichever price — coupon or insurance — that works best for you for each fill. Using a GoodRx coupon won’t affect your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, though, because you’re choosing to pay a discounted cash price instead of using insurance.
When GoodRx helps during insurance roadblocks
Insurance issues can pop up for many reasons. GoodRx offers a temporary or long-term solution in several cases, such as:
Formulary changes: If your plan stops covering a medication, GoodRx can help you keep costs down while you discuss alternatives with your prescriber.
Prior authorization delays: If you’re waiting for your plan to approve a medication, you might use GoodRx for a short supply so you don’t miss doses.
Step therapy requirements: If your plan requires you to try a different medication first, the GoodRx price may be cheaper than paying the full insurance cost out of pocket.
Again, if you’d rather use a GoodRx coupon than your insurance, just tell the pharmacy staff. They often won’t make the switch unless you ask.
For long-term affordability, especially for brand-name medications, you can also search GoodRx or ask your prescriber or pharmacist if there’s a manufacturer copay card or patient assistance program (PAP) available. These programs can sometimes offer deeper savings if you qualify. Manufacturer copay cards are generally available for people with commercial insurance, and PAPs most often benefit people who are uninsured or underinsured.
The bottom line
GoodRx coupons and subscription services offer flexible ways to save on your medications — especially when insurance isn’t helping or coverage issues get in the way. Whether you’re dealing with a formulary change, a prior authorization delay, or a copay that’s too high, GoodRx can help you compare brand-drug prices and find a more affordable option.
Between standard coupons, bigger Gold discounts, and condition-specific programs that bundle care with medication delivery, GoodRx provides several paths to reduce the cost of brand-name drugs. And if you still need help, your pharmacist can point you toward additional savings resources, such as manufacturer copay cards or patient assistance programs.
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