Best Prescription Delivery Services: Amazon, CVS, PillPack, & More
The best for delivery plus extra benefits
PillPack from Amazon Pharmacy Service
Best to get medicine with other drugstore supplies
CVS Pharmacy Prescription Delivery
Going all the way to the pharmacy when you’re sick or just need to stock up on essential medications can be exhausting and even unsafe if you’re contagious. This is where prescription delivery services can be a lifesaver. Many services even offer same-day prescription delivery, making it even more convenient.
There are so many reasons why someone might want to have their prescription delivered. Seniors may have trouble getting to the pharmacy; busy young people may not have time to pick up their prescriptions each month; it can be easy to fall behind on repeat prescriptions for maintenance medications. A prescription delivery service helps with all of these situations and more.
Below is a rundown of the best services to try, based on our research (though not formally tested by CNET) and pharmacies that currently offer delivery.
Launched in 2020, Amazon Pharmacy is an online pharmacy that offers repeat prescriptions and free delivery for Amazon Prime members. Amazon uses your health insurance to pay for your medications and also offers a Prescription Savings Benefit if you don’t have health insurance. Amazon Pharmacy lets customers compare the cost of their medications with insurance co-pays, no insurance, and the Prime Discount so they can find the cheapest option.
Pill pack PillPack is a prescription drug delivery service owned and operated by Amazon that offers free delivery and accepts most types of health insurance. PillPack accepts most forms of Medicare and Medicaid programs in New Hampshire, Ohio, and Texas, and several specific plans nationwide. The service costs no more than what you pay for medications, which is a great deal considering the extra benefits you get compared to a standard pharmacy service.
Once you have your prescriptions filled via PillPack, you only pay the co-payment for your medication. Your medication will then be sent to you every month.
In addition to offering free delivery, these additional benefits include organizing and separating your medications for each day. Each day’s pills come in a convenient single-serve package, and the time you should take them is even printed on the front. This is a great benefit if you take a lot of medications and spend time sorting them, and also if you have trouble remembering what time to take your pills.
If you are caring for someone else, this can also be a huge time saver. You can also add supplements, such as a multivitamin or probiotic, to your kits so that everything you need is in one place.
CVS Pharmacy offers one- to two-day delivery and same-day delivery (on request) to most cities. Same-day delivery is usually completed within a few hours, which is great if you need your medications as soon as possible.
CVS does charge a delivery fee for prescriptions, but some health insurance plans cover the cost, including Medicare Part D. You can also add other essentials, such as tissues or cough drops, to your prescription order and they will be delivered at no extra charge. If you join the CVS Membership Program, Health insurance card For $5 a month, you get free shipping on your prescriptions, plus free one- to two-day shipping on other items.
It’s important to remember that ordering items through CVS.com is not the same service as prescription delivery, so it will take several days or longer to ship. If you use Target’s pharmacy service, CVS Pharmacy at TargetYou can also take advantage of free one- to two-day home delivery, as Target has partnered with CVS to fulfill your prescriptions.
Capsule offers free same-day shipping, and the service doesn’t cost more than what you’re already paying for your medications. The catch is that it’s not available everywhere yet. It’s currently available in New York City, Boston, Chicago, Minneapolis, Westchester County, and parts of New Jersey.
If you currently use another pharmacy and want to switch to Capsule, the pharmacists can transfer everything the same day, so you get your medications when you need them.
NuRX is only available in Northern California and Orange County. NowRX uses technology like artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced software, and logistics to speed up delivery times. Delivery is free and you can receive your medication the same day if you order before 5pm. Even better, delivery drivers will deliver your medication to your door in an eco-friendly vehicle to offset the environmental impact of putting extra cars on the road.
Now RX has an app to make the entire ordering, delivery, and refill process even easier. They also offer a referral program where you get Visa gift cards for every friend you refer who signs up. There is no cost to use NowRx — most major insurances are accepted (except Kaiser and Medicaid) and your normal co-pay covers the entire cost.
AllianceRx is Walgreens’ combined specialty and home delivery pharmacy. For non-specialty medications, you can get free next day delivery with Walgreens Express. AllianceRx is what you would request if you have chronic health conditions or specialty medications that you know you will need in the near future. Walgreens Express is your best choice for individual or one-time prescriptions that you need now.
AllianceRx lets you fill up to 90 days of your prescriptions, plus automatic refills. Since it can cover up to three months of medications, delivery takes about 10 days because it ships free via standard mail.
Walmart Pharmacy offers free standard shipping on prescriptions, but you should expect to wait about five to seven days for your medications. If you need your medications sooner, you can pay an additional $8 for second-day shipping or $15 for next-day shipping. Walmart has an app to make managing your prescriptions and refills easier and more efficient.
Walmart Pharmacy accepts most major insurances and Medicare.
RitsDrug is a home delivery service designed for Medicaid plan members. ZipDrug’s goal is to provide Medicaid members with more affordable medications and improve rates while helping them adhere to their prescription medications by providing a more convenient alternative to regular pharmacies.
According to ZipDrug, offering free home delivery and better service increases the likelihood that patients will take their medications as prescribed. They also work with pharmacies to reward them for keeping patients on top of their medications.
The company also partners with independent pharmacies instead of large chain pharmacies to improve customer service. ZipDrug’s delivery service is free, and Medicaid holders don’t have to pay anything to use the service. One downside is that it’s currently only available in 24 states.
The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or health goals.
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