Can I use GoodRx instead of my Part D plan?
The short answer
Yes, you can use GoodRx, but you generally cannot use it and your Part D plan at the same time for the same prescription. You'll need to choose one or the other at the pharmacy counter.
The full explanation
GoodRx is a discount program, not insurance. It negotiates lower prices at certain pharmacies and lets you pay that negotiated rate out of pocket. It can genuinely save money on some drugs, sometimes more than your Part D copay. So it's not a bad tool, but there's an important catch when you have Medicare.When you use GoodRx, that purchase typically does not count toward your Part D deductible or your out-of-pocket spending limits. Part D has a catastrophic coverage threshold, meaning once you've spent a certain amount on covered drugs in a year, your costs drop significantly. GoodRx purchases don't move you toward that threshold. For someone on a few cheap generics, this probably doesn't matter much. For someone with expensive medications or multiple prescriptions, it could matter a great deal.Some people with low Part D premiums and straightforward drug lists find that GoodRx is cheaper for specific medications on certain months. That's fine. The practical approach is to compare prices for each drug, your Part D copay versus the GoodRx price, and make the call one prescription at a time. Just go in with eyes open about what you're giving up in terms of credit toward your annual spending.Always verify current pricing through your Part D plan's formulary tool and GoodRx directly, since prices change.
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