Savings options · beyond the card
Other ways to pay less for prescriptions
Last updated November 5, 2026 · Reviewed by the LowerScript editorial team · Español
A discount card is one option, not the only one. Community health centers, store generic lists, mail-order pharmacies and help programs can also lower what you pay. Each works differently, so below we say who each one suits and what to watch for.
Community health centers
HRSA says health centers provide care to people who find it hard to access health care, adjust their fees based on income and family size, and serve everyone, even if they cannot pay. HRSA also says health centers have on-site pharmacies that provide discounted prescription drugs.
Who it suits: people with no insurance or a low income who want a regular clinic as well as a pharmacy. Watch for: not every health center has an on-site pharmacy, and fees depend on the center. Use HRSA's Find a Health Center tool to locate one near you.
340B pricing
HRSA explains that under the 340B Drug Pricing Program, drug makers agree to provide outpatient drugs to eligible organizations at significantly reduced prices. HRSA names HRSA-supported health centers among those organizations, and says the program helps them stretch scarce federal resources.
The HRSA page does not say what patients pay, so the benefit to you depends on how your health center uses its savings. Who it suits: patients of a participating health center. Watch for: you do not apply to 340B yourself; ask the health center how it prices prescriptions for its patients.
Store generic lists
If a pharmacy or store you use publishes a list of generic medicines at set prices, compare that list with your card price before you fill. Lists, prices and rules may differ by store and may change, so use the store's own current list, and check whether a prescription from your doctor is required.
Who it suits: people who take common generics and shop at a store with such a list. Watch for: a medicine that is not on the list.
Mail-order and cost-plus pharmacies
Cost Plus Drugs describes its prices as the cost to get each medication from the manufacturer, with separate fees for running the business and for preparing and shipping prescriptions. Shipping and taxes are added. It offers a limited set of medications, needs a prescription from a U.S.-based provider, and accepts insurance only from certain listed plans.
Before you use any online pharmacy, the FDA says to check that it is licensed with a state board of pharmacy, always requires a prescription, shows a U.S. address and phone number, and has a pharmacist who can answer questions. It warns against sites with prices that seem too good to be true. The FDA's BeSafeRx page has a tool to check a pharmacy's license.
Who it suits: people with routine generics who can wait for delivery. Watch for: shipping time, fees and a limited list. We compare it side by side with a local card in Discount card vs Cost Plus Drugs, so we do not repeat that here.
A free discount card
The LowerScript card is free and gives a lower cash price at participating pharmacies, including for same-day fills. It is not insurance and cannot be combined with insurance or with Medicare or Medicaid on the same purchase. Who it suits: anyone paying cash for a prescription, including people who want to compare a price before filling. Watch for: prices vary by pharmacy, so compare. Get the card.
Help programs if you have Medicare or Medicaid
If you have Medicare, Medicare.gov lists programs that can lower drug costs, including Extra Help, Medicare Savings Programs, State Health Insurance Assistance Programs, the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan, manufacturer assistance and some state pharmaceutical assistance programs. Who it suits: people on Medicare, especially with a low income. See your Medicare plan letter explained and discount cards and Medicare.
If you may qualify for Medicaid, see Does Medicaid cover prescriptions?.
How to choose
| Option | Suits | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Community health center | Uninsured or low-income patients who want a regular clinic | Not every center has a pharmacy; fees vary |
| 340B (through a health center) | Patients of a participating health center | You do not apply yourself; benefit depends on the center |
| Store generic list | Common generics at a store with a list | Medicine may not be on the list; lists change |
| Mail order / cost-plus | Routine generics you can wait for | Shipping time, fees, limited list; verify the pharmacy |
| Discount card | Cash-paying fills, including same day | Prices vary by pharmacy; not combined with insurance |
Whatever you choose, ask your doctor or pharmacist before changing, splitting or stopping any medicine.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find a community health center?
HRSA runs a Find a Health Center tool at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov. HRSA says health centers adjust fees based on income and family size and serve everyone, even if they cannot pay.
What is 340B?
A federal program in which drug makers agree to provide outpatient drugs to eligible organizations, including HRSA-supported health centers, at significantly reduced prices. You do not apply to it yourself.
Is mail-order always safer or cheaper?
No. Compare the total cost, including shipping and fees, with a local price, and check that the pharmacy is licensed. The FDA says to be cautious of prices that seem too good to be true.
Can I use a discount card with insurance?
Not on the same purchase. The card is not insurance and cannot be combined with insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.
Sources (checked 5 November 2026)
- HRSA: What is a health center? — who health centers serve, sliding fees by income and family size, serving everyone regardless of ability to pay, and on-site pharmacies with discounted prescription drugs.
- HRSA: Find a Health Center — the health center locator tool.
- HRSA: 340B Drug Pricing Program — what 340B is and that HRSA-supported health centers are among the eligible organizations; the page says nothing about patient prices.
- Cost Plus Drugs — how the company describes its pricing, fees, shipping, limited medication list, prescription requirement and insurance acceptance. This is the company's own page; we do not quote prices.
- FDA: How to buy medicines safely from an online pharmacy — the checks for a legitimate online pharmacy and the BeSafeRx license lookup.
- Medicare.gov: Help with drug costs — the list of programs that can help with drug costs.
- LowerScript card page — the card's terms (not insurance; not combined with insurance, Medicare or Medicaid; participating pharmacies).
This page is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice, and it does not rate or recommend any pharmacy. For questions about your medicines, ask your doctor or pharmacist. LowerScript is a discount program, not insurance.
Compare a local cash price. Get your free card or check a medication price.
Get your free cardMore: Discount card vs Cost Plus Drugs · Lower costs without insurance · Mail order vs local pharmacy | All savings guides