Key takeaways:
GoodRx Companion is a paid discount membership. Patients can use it to access member pricing on eligible medications and certain healthcare services.
The membership includes more than 250 commonly used generic medications available for free, hundreds of medications for less than $10, online healthcare visits for $19, and discounts on certain dental, vision, laboratory, and imaging services.
GoodRx Companion isn’t insurance and can’t be combined with commercial insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or with another discount on the same prescription or service.
If you see “Price with Companion” on a GoodRx price page, that is the member price for that prescription at that pharmacy. It is not an extra fee added to the prescription.
Healthcare in the U.S. is increasingly contributing to many families’ financial burden. Expiring ACA marketplace subsidies, millions of Medicaid disenrollments, and steep premium hikes for employer-based plans are all leading patients to ask the same question: How can I lower medical costs for myself and my family?
GoodRx Companion is a new program that aims to lessen the burden of cost. It offers expanded medication and healthcare savings with a paid membership.
Here, we’ll explain what GoodRx Companion is — and what it isn’t — and how it differs from other GoodRx discounts, so that you can continue to find the best price for your patients with ease.
What is GoodRx Companion?
GoodRx Companion is a paid membership that provides discounts on eligible prescriptions and some healthcare services. It is separate from GoodRx's standard prescription discounts.
A Companion membership includes:
Discounts on medications, with more than 250 that are free and hundreds more for under $10
Discounts on common dental, vision, lab, and imaging services
Online care visits for $19, 7 days a week, where available
The list of eligible medications and discounted prices can change, so it’s always best to check the list online with your patient, rather than relying on a printed or previously saved list.
Companion and insurance can’t be combined for the same prescription or service. When talking to your patient about their options, it’s best to compare the insurance cost with the Companion price and use whichever costs less.
Note that certain Companion benefits are not eligible in certain states.
What does ‘Price with Companion’ mean?
One difference you might notice when navigating the GoodRx medication pages is how prices are listed. Some prices are listed as the “price with Companion.” This is the price of that medication at that pharmacy with the Companion membership. It’s not an additional fee on top of the medication price.
The displayed price for a medication can vary based on:
The formulation
The strength and quantity
The pharmacy and whether it participates in Companion
Whether the medication is currently eligible for Companion
If you want to see the non-Companion price for the medication at the same pharmacy, you can click on “standard GoodRx price” under the Companion price. Or scroll through the left rail to see prices at different pharmacies.
What medications are covered by Companion?
GoodRx Companion discounts apply to hundreds of common medications. Some of these currently include:
Amoxicillin
Atorvastatin
Finasteride
Gabapentin
Losartan
Metformin
Methotrexate
Metronidazole
Pantoprazole
Sertraline
You and your patients can search GoodRx for medications that are free or discounted with GoodRx Companion. Remember though that the list can change. And that a medication’s eligibility may depend on the dose, quantity, and pharmacy.
How is Companion different from other GoodRx products?
GoodRx Companion is different and separate from GoodRx’s standard medication discount coupons. GoodRx’s standard medication discounts are still available to anyone who is eligible for them. But Companion subscription savings can’t be combined with other GoodRx discounts or savings programs on the same medication.
Companion is also different in that it extends beyond prescription cost savings. Membership can also help with the cost of other healthcare services, including those from:
Dental services, such as cleanings, exams, X-rays, and crowns
Vision care services such as examinations, contacts, glasses, and laser eye surgery
Lab and imaging services
What is the prescriber’s role with GoodRx Companion?
Companion is not a prescription benefit that you, as the prescriber, need to activate. Your patient needs to enroll in the membership. Once enrolled, they can use their Companion card at participating pharmacies.
But if your patient tells you that they have a Companion subscription, you can help by making sure the prescription itself is valid and meets the program’s requirements (in terms of dose and quantity).
What is the cost of GoodRx Companion?
Annual plans start at $9.99 per month for individuals and $16.99 per month for families (up to 5 people).
Month-to-month memberships are $14.99/month for individuals or $24.99/month for families. A Companion membership can be canceled at any time.
Additional details can be found on the GoodRx Companion FAQ page.
Is Companion a good deal?
GoodRx Companion might not be the right choice for every patient. But it can help certain patients save money on recurring prescription costs, multiple medications, or broader self-pay needs. It’s worth comparing the membership fee with what patients can expect to save on their medications. Companion may be less useful for someone who fills medications infrequently or already has a low insurance copay.
Companion is also an option for people who are uninsured and need regular medications (if they’re on the list of Companion medications). But Companion does not provide the benefits of broader coverage or other benefits associated with a health plan.
Is GoodRx Companion insurance?
GoodRx Companion is not health insurance and it’s not intended to replace insurance. It’s a discount program that members can use instead of insurance when Companion prices are lower than the price they might pay with insurance.
Does GoodRx Companion work at every pharmacy?
No, Companion pricing is available only at participating pharmacies. Patients can see participating pharmacies and the applicable Companion price when they search for the medication on GoodRx.com or in the GoodRx app.
The bottom line
GoodRx Companion is a paid discount membership that offers free or discounted cash prices on hundreds of prescription medications. It also offers discounts on vision, dental, and diagnostic services. It can be a worthwhile option for patients or families who take several regular medications that are included in the list of Companion eligible medications.
If you’re trying to help your patients manage costs, it’s important to tell them that Companion doesn’t take the place of insurance, and cannot be stacked with other discounts or coverage for the same medication or service.
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