Key takeaways:
- GoodRx is a free platform and mobile app that allows users to compare the best medication prices and download or print out discounts.
- Recently, GoodRx has expanded and now also includes medication for pets, making it easy for pet owners to save money on pet care.
- GoodRx is widely popular with major pharmacy retailers like Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Costco, and Kroger.
Having house pets has become a new norm for a good portion of the population, and the overwhelmingly cute videos and photos on social media certainly help with that. But looking after your dogs, cats, or other pets requires dedication and funds, and with the rising care costs, managing pet health can be a challenge. Sadly, medications are usually the most expensive factor in this equation.
Luckily, there are programs like GoodRx that can not only help you save money on pet medications but also make sure your furry companions stay healthy. Let’s break down how you can take advantage of this program to the fullest and avoid overpaying for overpriced pet medication.
What is GoodRx and How Does it Work for Pets?
GoodRx is a free platform anyone can use to find the best prices for whatever medications they’re looking for. The lists of available medications are usually from the pharmacies that participate in the GoodRx program and list their products.
Previously, this program was only available for people, but GoodRx expanded and now includes prescriptions for dogs and cats. The process is quite simple, all you have to do is get a prescription from your pet’s veterinarian, use the GoodRx website or app to search for your dog’s or cat’s medication, and show the discount coupon from GoodRx to the pharmacy where you’ll be buying the medication.
Note that GoodRx is mostly available for buying drugs at physical pharmacies, but the good news is that you’ll have plenty to choose from. Major pharmacy chains like Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Costco, and Kroger accept GoodRx for pet prescriptions, making it widely accessible.
Benefits of Using GoodRx for Pet Medications
As you may already know, GoodRx makes pet health more affordable and more importantly, accessible. Here’s a rundown of the key benefits you can expect by using GoodRx:
- Considerable cost savings: The biggest benefit of using GoodRx is that this program helps you save money by finding the best price for a specific type of prescription you’re looking for. Medication prices aren’t regulated, but GoodRx can offer discounts reaching 80% off the retail price.
- Accessibility at major pharmacies: The discounts you get can be accepted in a variety of well-known retail pharmacies like Walmart, Target, Costco, and CVS.
- Easy to use for everyone: The GoodRx platform is designed to be straightforward, allowing you to compare prices easily, and save coupons to the app, or print them.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using GoodRx for Pets
Whether you have previous experience with using GoodRx or it’s your first time, it’s really simple and should take you no time to get acquainted with the discount-hunting process.
- Get a prescription from a licensed veterinarian: When you visit a veterinarian with your dogs or cats, ask them to provide you with a written prescription.
- Visit the GoodRx website or download their app: Go to GoodRx.com or download the GoodRx app for your smartphone. Create a free account if you want, but you can also look for discounts without an active account.
- Search for your pet’s medication according to the prescription: Enter the name of the prescribed medication in the search bar and provide additional information like the dosage and quantity your pet needs.
- Compare prices at different pharmacies: Once you’ve entered all of the required information, GoodRx will show a list of participating pharmacies and the discounted prices they offer for the medication.
- Use the discount coupon: Choose the pharmacy that offers the best price, save the discount to your phone as a digital coupon, or print it, and bring it with you when you go to purchase your pet’s medication.
Common Reasons GoodRx Might Not Be Accepted
While GoodRx is widely accepted, there are a few situations where it might not work. This could be due to several reasons, but one of the most popular ones you can encounter is when the prescribed medication is ineligible. This basically means that the specific product doesn’t qualify for discounts.
Another reason could be pharmacy-specific policies like smaller pharmacies simply choose to not participate in the GoodRx program. Additionally, it could be system errors, or more commonly, and perhaps more frustratingly, outdated coupons.
The best thing you can do to clear up these issues is to contact GoodRx’s customer support or contact specific pharmacies to notify them about issues like old coupons that can’t be applied.
Wrapping Up
Having pets is an amazingly rewarding experience, but it comes with an array of responsibilities that can have a very real influence on your finances as well. GoodRx comes in as a perfect answer to one of the biggest issues surrounding pet care – medication.
With GoodRx you can browse through the many available pharmacies, compare the best prices, and get amazing discounts that will help make sure your pets get the care they need, without you breaking the bank!
FAQs
Do I need insurance to use GoodRx for my pet?
No, you don’t need insurance to use GoodRx. It’s a free program that allows you to compare prices and get discounts on prescriptions regardless of your insurance status.
Which pharmacies accept GoodRx for pets?
GoodRx is extremely convenient because it’s accepted at most major pharmacy chains, including Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Kroger, and Costco. However, it’s important to note that there might be some exceptions, so make sure to confirm beforehand.
What should I do with leftover or unused pet prescriptions?
If you have unused medication, it doesn’t matter whether it’s for you or your dogs or cats, never offer it to someone else. The best way to dispose of these medications is by either throwing them away at designated areas or at pharmacies.
Is it cheaper to buy pet prescriptions online with GoodRx?
Usually, GoodRx discounts are applied when you buy medication at physical pharmacies. However, some online pharmacies also accept GoodRx coupons.
Why are some pharmacies unable to accept GoodRx?
The most common reason is that some pharmacies don’t participate in the GoodRx program. Another reason could be that the specific medication you’re looking for might not be eligible for discounts. You can always reach out to GoodRx for more information.
