9 Ways to Lower Your Prescription Drug Costs

Whether you’re likely to reach the Coverage Gap this year or simply trying to save money, you can explore these 9 options to help lower your prescription drug costs.

1. Use home delivery and save up to $400 a year on prescription drug costs
With OptumRx Home Delivery Pharmacy, CarePartners of Connecticut Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plan members can avoid going to the pharmacy by having the prescriptions you take regularly conveniently mailed to your home. You may be able to save $100 by using home delivery for a 90-day supply of prescription medications (depending on the plan you are in and the tier your drug is on). 

Plan members can sign up by visiting OptumRx.com, or call OptumRx at 1-800-496-7490 (HMO)/1-800-506-3703 (PPO).

2. Use preferred pharmacies
CarePartners of Connecticut Medicare plan members can get a 30, 60, or 90-day supply of Tier 1 and 2 drugs for $0 when you use a preferred pharmacy. There are over 350 preferred pharmacy locations in our Connecticut network, including national chains such as CVS Pharmacy®, Stop & Shop, and Walmart. Starting January 1, 2024, Costco and Wegmans will also be preferred pharmacies.*

See what you can save:

To search for preferred pharmacies near you, visit carepartnersct.com/pharmacy-search. If you need to transfer a current prescription to a preferred pharmacy, simply call the preferred pharmacy of your choice and ask them to transfer your prescription.

3. Connect with us for help
If you’re a plan member and you have questions about your drug coverage, need help managing your medications, or would like assistance with lowering your prescription drug costs, we can help. Call Member Services at 1-888-341-1507 (HMO)/1-866-632-0060 (PPO) (TTY: 711). Representatives are available 8 a.m.–8 p.m., 7 days a week (Mon.–Fri. from Apr. 1–Sept. 30).

4. Use generic drugs
Generic drugs generally cost less than brand name drugs and have the same active-ingredient formula as brand name drugs. In addition, generics are rated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be as safe and effective as brand name drugs. Talk to your doctor to see if generic drugs are right for you.

5. Contact My Advocate for help applying for assistance
My Advocate can assist CarePartners of Connecticut members with applying for Extra Help (see below) and Medicare Savings Programs. For information, call 1-844-247-0985. Representatives are available Mon.–Fri., 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

6. See if you qualify for Extra Help, also known as the Low Income Subsidy (LIS)
LIS is a federally funded program that assists with monthly premiums and Part D prescription copays for those who meet certain financial requirements. For information, call My Advocate at 1-844-247-0985 or the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY: 1-800-325-0778). Or visit ssa.gov/medicare/part-d-extra-help.

7. Call CHOICES
CHOICES is Connecticut’s program for Health insurance assistance, Outreach, Information and referral, Counseling, Eligibility Screening. Call 1-800-994-9422 to speak with a counselor in your area.

8. Visit Needymeds.org
Needymeds.org is a website that allows you to search a drug by name or category (i.e., brand or generic), to find out if there is a prescription assistance program available for that particular medication. For information, email info@needymeds.org, call 1-800-503-6897, or visit needymeds.org.

9. Look into assistance offered by drug manufacturers
You may qualify for help with the cost of certain medications through prescription assistance programs offered by the drug manufacturer. Every drug manufacturer has certain criteria that you must meet to qualify for help.

For assistance, plan members can call Member Services at 1-888-341-1507 (HMO)/1-866-632-0060 (PPO) (TTY: 711). Representatives are available 8 a.m.–8 p.m., 7 days a week (Mon.–Fri. from Apr. 1–Sept. 30).

^{*On Tier 1 and Tier 2, retail supply copays apply to preferred pharmacies including: CVS, Walmart, Costco, Wegmans, and Stop & Shop. Not all locations may participate.}