Mail order pharmacies suit seniors who take the same medications month after month. Here is how they save money and time.
How mail order pharmacy saves seniors money and time
Mail order pharmacies dispense maintenance medications in 90-day supplies shipped to your door, which often lowers the cost per pill compared with monthly retail fills and cuts trips to the pharmacy. Most Medicare Part D plans contract with a preferred mail order pharmacy, and using it can reduce your copays. Refills are typically automated, and many services offer pharmacist phone support. For seniors who take several daily drugs, mail order means fewer pickups, fewer missed doses, and a predictable schedule. It works best for stable, long-term prescriptions rather than antibiotics or drugs you need immediately.
What to watch out for with mail order
Mail order is not ideal for every situation. New prescriptions and short-term drugs are better filled locally where you get them the same day. Shipments can be delayed by weather or holidays, so order refills early, and heat-sensitive medications need proper packaging. Confirm your plan's mail order pharmacy and copays before switching, since the in-network pharmacy is the one with the best price. A 1-800-MEDIGAP agent can confirm which mail order pharmacy your Part D plan prefers and whether 90-day mail order beats your current retail cost.