Amazon.com is letting Prime members on Medicare join its RxPass mail-order prescription service for just $5 a month. The move could save older adults more money on out-of-pocket costs for generic prescription medications — especially those on multiple prescription drugs.
The $5 monthly fee nets recipients access to 60 generic medications, even if they use multiple prescription drugs.
“Many people don’t realize that even if you have great insurance, you can still save on select medications by using programs like RxPass,” John Love, vice president of Amazon Pharmacy, said in a statement. “The overall cost of medications can be lower, and that’s not even factoring in the time and effort saved from not having to drive to a pharmacy or stand in line.”
The program, which includes generic prescription drugs, launched in 2020. It includes access to a pharmacist 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Free shipping is also included.
Through the subscription program, Amazon Pharmacy saves people up to 80% off the cost of generics and up to 40% off the cost of brand name medicines for people with or without insurance.
The prescription service could lower Medicare spending by about $2 billion each year and reduce out-of-pocket costs for older Americans, Amazon said in the statement. Medicare plan members who need one medication and get it form RxPass could save about $70 a year; those taking two or more could save more money, the company said.
“Programs like RxPass help reduce cost, while increasing convenience for caregivers, and customers of all ages, which is shown to improve medication adherence and support better health outcomes,” Love said.
This story originally appeared in the McKnight’s Clinical Daily, an e-newsletter for the audiences of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care, with content hosted on the website of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News.
The McKnight’s Tech Daily is an e-newsletter for the audiences of McKnight’s Long-Term Care News, McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Home Care.
