What the AARP Prescription Discount Card does

The AARP Prescription Discount Card is a free card that gives you discounts at pharmacies when you pay out of pocket for medications. It is not insurance—you do not get reimbursed, and it does not cover the cost of drugs. Instead, the card negotiates lower prices at participating pharmacies, and you pay that reduced price at the register.

You can use it at most major pharmacy chains including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Kroger, as well as many independent pharmacies. The discount varies by drug and location. Some medications might be 10 percent off; others could be 40 percent or more. You find out the actual price for your specific medication at your specific pharmacy before you decide to use the card.

The card is useful if you have no prescription coverage, if your insurance has a high deductible you have not met yet, or if a drug is not covered by your plan. It costs nothing to get or use.

Key Takeaways

  • The AARP Prescription Discount Card is free and works at most major pharmacy chains, giving you a lower price when you pay cash.
  • The discount is different for every drug and every pharmacy, so you should check the price for your specific medication before filling it.
  • You can use the card even if you have Medicare or other insurance, but you cannot use it at the same time as insurance—you choose one or the other at the pharmacy.
  • The card is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days after you request it online, or you can use a digital version when ready.
  • The card does not replace insurance and does not cover the full cost of medications, but it can lower your out-of-pocket price significantly.

How to get the card

You request the card on the AARP website at aarp.org/prescriptiondiscounts. You do not need to be an AARP member. You enter your name, address, and email, and AARP mails you a physical card within 7 to 10 business days.

If you need the card sooner, you can use a digital version right away. The website gives you a number you can show to the pharmacist on your phone, or you can have the pharmacy look up your information by name and date of birth. Either way, the discount applies when ready.

There is no cost to request the card, no membership required, and no income limits. You can request a new card anytime if yours is lost or damaged.

How to use the card at the pharmacy

When you fill a prescription, tell the pharmacist you want to use the AARP Prescription Discount Card instead of insurance. The pharmacist runs the card through their system, and the discounted price appears. You pay that price out of pocket.

Before you fill the prescription, you can check the price online. Go to aarp.org/prescriptiondiscounts, enter your medication name and your pharmacy, and the site shows you the discounted price at that location. This matters because the same drug can cost different amounts at different pharmacies, even in the same town.

You cannot use the card and insurance at the same time for the same prescription. You choose one or the other. If your insurance copay is lower than the card's discount price, use your insurance. If the card price is lower, use the card.

When the card saves you the most money

The card works best for medications that are not covered by your insurance, or for drugs where your insurance copay is high. If you have not met your deductible yet and your insurance requires you to pay the full price anyway, the card might give you a better deal.

The card is also useful if you are between jobs and have no insurance at all, or if you are waiting for Medicare to start. Some people use it for medications their doctor prescribes off-label (for a condition other than what the FDA approved it for), because insurance often will not cover those uses.

Generic medications usually have bigger discounts than brand-name drugs. If your doctor prescribes a brand-name drug and a generic version exists, ask whether the generic would work for you—the card discount on the generic might be steep enough to make it your cheapest option.

How the card compares to other discount programs

Some medications have their own manufacturer discount programs. If you take a brand-name drug, the drug maker may offer a coupon or patient information program that beats the AARP card price. Check the drug's official website or ask your pharmacist whether a manufacturer program exists for your medication.

GoodRx and SingleCare are other free discount programs that work similarly to the AARP card. They also negotiate lower prices at pharmacies. You can check prices on all three—AARP, GoodRx, and SingleCare—for the same medication at the same pharmacy and use whichever gives you the lowest price. Some pharmacies participate in all three; others participate in only one or two.

If you have Medicare, you may also be covered under Part D (prescription drug coverage). Part D usually costs less than paying cash, even with a discount card, but it depends on the drug and your plan. Compare your Part D copay to the card price before you decide.

What the card does not do

The card does not cover the full cost of medications. It negotiates a lower price, but you still pay something. For expensive medications, the discount may not be enough to make the drug affordable.

The card does not work with insurance claims. You cannot use it to lower your copay or deductible. You use it instead of insurance, not alongside it.

The card does not cover medications that require prior authorization from your insurance company. If your insurance company requires approval before you fill a prescription, the card cannot bypass that requirement. You would need to work with your insurance company or your doctor to get approval.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be an AARP member to use the card?

No. The card is free and open to anyone, regardless of AARP membership status. You do not pay to join AARP to use the discount card.

Can I use the card if I have Medicare?

Yes, but you should compare the card price to your Medicare Part D copay first. For some drugs, Part D will be cheaper. For others, the card might save you more. You choose which one to use when you fill the prescription.

What if the pharmacy says they do not accept the card?

Most major chains and independent pharmacies accept it, but some smaller or specialty pharmacies may not. Call the pharmacy ahead of time to confirm they take the AARP card, or ask your pharmacist to look it up in their system. If they do not accept it, you can try a different pharmacy or use another discount program like GoodRx.

Can I use the card for prescriptions filled by mail order?

Some mail-order pharmacies accept the card, but not all. Contact your mail-order pharmacy directly to ask whether they take the AARP Prescription Discount Card. If they do not, you may be able to fill the prescription at a local pharmacy instead and use the card there.

How long does the card stay valid?

The card does not expire. You can use it as long as you have it. If your card is lost or damaged, request a replacement on the AARP website at no cost.