There’s been a lot of talk about retail pharmacies offering $4 generic drugs. You may be wondering whether you could—or should—use your SAMBA benefit to get your prescriptions filled at these retail pharmacies (or any store with a similar offer) or take advantage of convenient mail-order delivery through the Medco pharmacy. Here are some frequently asked questions that address this issue.

Question 1: Should I still use my Medco prescription drug ID card when filling a prescription at a retail pharmacy offering a $4 cash price?
Yes. If you purchase a 30-day supply of a generic drug at a retail pharmacy offering $4 pricing, be sure the pharmacist processes the prescription using your Medco prescription drug ID card. Otherwise, Medco will not be able to check your prescription for potential safety interactions with your other medications.

Question 2: If I show my prescription drug ID card at a retail pharmacy that offers a $4 price for certain generic drugs, will I pay my plan’s retail co-payment or the $4 discount?
You will pay the lower of the pharmacy’s cash price or your co-payment. 

Question 3: Are most prescription drugs on a retail pharmacy’s $4 medication list? 
No, most low–cost generic programs at retailers offer a very limited list of drugs— typically around 150 generic drugs in various strengths used to treat conditions such as allergies, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. In addition, only certain quantities will be dispensed for the $4 price, which may be adjusted based on the actual quantity dispensed. According to retail pharmacies offering the discount, four out of five prescriptions filled at their pharmacies will not benefit from the $4 pricing. 

Question 4: When should I use Medco’s mail-order pharmacy?
You should use Medco By Mail for most of your long-term prescription needs. With Medco By Mail, you can save money on brands and most generic medications, plus save on gas by avoiding monthly trips to the drugstore. The Medco pharmacy offers not only the convenience of free standard shipping, but also support and 24/7 access to specialist pharmacists, expert in the medications used to treat chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. This level of pharmacy care, unique to Medco, will help ensure your medications are right for you and will keep you healthy. 

Online services at your fingertips:
More than ever, people take an active role in their healthcare. You can, too. Visit us at www.medco.com, where you have virtually instant access to details about your prescription benefit health and wellness information, and My Rx Choices®, our online tool that can identify lower-cost alternatives to your medication. Plus, you can easily order refills of your mail-order prescriptions, check the status of your orders, and review your prescription history. If you are a first-time visitor to medco.com, take a minute to register. Please remember to have your member ID number and a recent prescription number handy.

Have more questions? Contact Medco's Member Services at (800) 283-3478 or SAMBA at (800) 638-6589.