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The Amazon RxPass Prescription Plan For Medicare Beneficiaries
- Michael Braden
- Oct 11, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 7
I wrote my first blog post about Amazon Pharmacy shortly after Amazon acquired PillPack. I think for individuals who take multiple medications, and in particular, medicines at different times of the day, this is a game-changer and a lifesaver for many Medicare Beneficiaries across the country. Today, I am excited to share with you another excellent service for all Medicare Beneficiaries, courtesy of Amazon Pharmacy and RxPass.
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Last Month, Amazon announced the expansion of eligibility for its RxPass prescription medication program. This new program is the Amazon RxPass Prescription Plan. This program allows Medicare beneficiaries to receive unlimited popular, generic (Tier 1 & Tier 2) prescription medications for just a $5.00 Subscription Fee Per Month.
OVER 50 GENERIC MEDICATIONS FOR $5 PER MONTH, NOT $5 FOR EACH PRESCRIPTION, JUST $5 PERIOD!
* Amazon Prime members, get all of your eligible medications in one monthly subscription
AMAZON'S RxPASS HAS YOU COVERED
While other savings programs charge for each medication, Rx Pass is always $5 a month—no matter how many generic prescription medications you take.
AMAZON RxPASS HAS A LOW FLAT FEE ON 50 GENERIC MEDICATIONS FOR SENIORS.
Every Amazon Prime Member who is a current Medicare Beneficiary can join RxPass and take advantage of these significant savings.
SUBSCRIBE FOR JUST $5 PER MONTH
Just one monthly price for all of your eligible medications.
EASILY SEARCH FOR YOUR MEDICATIONS ON AMAZON
When you search on Amazon, we’ll show you whether a medication is included with RxPass.
AMAZON WILL DELIVER YOUR MEDICATIONS DIRECTLY TO YOU
Your medication is securely and discreetly packed, with status updates.
REMEMBER.........YOU HAVE TO BE AN AMAZON PRIME MEMBER TO JOIN RxPASS
RxPass is exclusive to Amazon Prime members. You’ll need to sign up for Amazon Prime before you can subscribe to RxPass. Plus, you’ll get all the other great benefits of being an Amazon Prime member—including free 2-day delivery, exclusive deals, and prescription savings.
RxPASS IS AN EASIER AND SIMPLER WAY TO GET YOUR
RxPASS IS A BETTER WAY TO RECEIVE YOUR PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS
DID YOU KNOW THAT THE AVERAGE AMAZON PRIME MEMBER SAVES 47% BY USING RxPASS?
INCLUDES MORE THAN 50 OF THE MOST COMMON PRESCRIBED GENERIC MEDICATIONS
FAST, FREE DELIVERY TO YOUR DOOR
DID YOU KNOW THAT AMAZON HAS A FULL-SERVICE PHARMACY?
THE AMAZON PHARMACY MAY BE USED AS YOUR PREFERRED PHARMACY BY MOST MEDICARE PART D PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS.
IF YOU TAKE MULTIPLE MEDICATIONS, ESPECIALLY IF YOU TAKE THEM MULTIPLE TIMES PER DAY, YOU SHOULD ASK ABOUT AMAZON PILLPACK.
WITH AMAZON PILLPACK, EACH OF YOUR MEDICATIONS COMES SEPARATED AND DATED IN ITS CONVENIENT, EASY-TO-OPEN PACKET.
YOU MAY BE WONDERING...........
IS RxPASS A GOOD OPTION FOR YOU?
If you’re a Prime member and you are paying more than $5 a month for all of your generic medications, RxPass could help you save. RxPass isn’t insurance, but it can help those without insurance or when insurance doesn’t cover certain medications. Many people with diabetes, high blood pressure, and anxiety will find their medications eligible with RxPass.
HOW DOES THE RxPASS WORK?
RxPass is a Prime member benefit that provides access to the most common generic medications for a flat monthly fee of $5. Subscribers can get all their prescribed generic medicines on the RxPass list, filled as often as needed, for one flat monthly fee. RxPass offers auto-refill so that you get all your eligible prescriptions automatically for $5 a month. Which medications are included with RxPass?
YOUR RxPASS SUBSCRIPTION INCLUDES MORE THAN 50 GENERIC MEDICATIONS, COVERING MANY COMMON AILMENTS.
Not everyone is eligible to subscribe to RxPass. Why? RxPass does restrict eligibility based on insurance and the state where medications will be shipped. People with state-funded insurance, such as Medicaid and CHIP, are not eligible to enroll in RxPass at this time. Additionally, RxPass is not currently available for shipping medications to California, Minnesota, Texas, or Washington. However, the Amazon Pharmacy is still available in all of those states.
DO YOU HAVE TO BE AN AMAZON PRIME MEMBER TO USE RxPASS?
Yes, RxPass is exclusively an Amazon Prime member benefit. If you’re not a Prime member, you must join Prime before subscribing to RxPass.
HOW OFTEN WILL YOU BE CHARGED?
The RxPass subscription fee will be charged to your selected payment method on the first of each month. When you subscribe, you’ll be charged a prorated amount for your first month and charged on the first day of the following month. What if I decide to cancel? You can cancel RxPass anytime. You will still be able to use RxPass for the rest of the month you’ve paid for, and you will not be charged again. You can still
CURRENT AMAZON Rx PASS MEDICATIONS
THIS MIGHT BE A BIG HELP TO MANY MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES
While Rx Pass is available for Medicare enrollees, that does not mean you should disenroll from your Medicare Part D plan. Because the RxPass is limited, it is not considered "Credible" by CMS. So, this should be viewed as an addition to your current Stand-Alone Part D plan or your Medicare Advantage Prescription Coverage.
Rx Pass has been designed to work seamlessly with your current Part D Prescription Drug plan. RxPass is particularly beneficial for Medicare beneficiaries who take multiple generic medications. Instead of paying several small copays or coinsurance amounts for each medication, they can receive all of their Generic Medications (Provided they are specified on the list above) for just $5 per month, regardless of how many they take.
These medications are safely delivered to your door free of charge every month.
If Amazon Rx Pass does not cover your medication, you should continue to use your Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plan, just like you always have at your favorite "Preferred Pharmacy" for your particular plan.
There are several benefits for both the Medicare program and enrollees when using Rx Pass. However, the most notable benefits include cost savings and convenience.
However, on the other hand, while Rx Pass offers many benefits, there are some potential challenges and considerations to keep in mind:
LIMITED LIST OF GENERIC MEDICATION AS OF JULY 2024:
At present, Rx Pass only includes generic medications, which might not cover all the needs of Medicare beneficiaries, mainly if you are prescribed any Brand-Name medications.
YOU MUST BE AN AMAZON PRIME MEMBER :
The service is only available to Amazon Prime members, which adds cost for those not already subscribed to Prime.
AMAZON RxPASS COST SAVINGS
One of the most significant advantages of the Amazon Rx Pass for Medicare beneficiaries is the potential cost savings it offers. With a minimal $5 monthly flat fee, members can access over 60 generic medications. Plus, there is no limit on the number of prescriptions you can fill with this program. Whether you fill 1 or 10 prescriptions, you are only required to pay the monthly membership fee. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals on multiple medications, as it simplifies budgeting for prescription costs.
Instead of paying multiple co-payments that usually cost $2 - $10 for each Prescription, which can average from $2-$10 per generic medication, depending on the pharmacy you use and the Part D plan you are enrolled in. You could pay a flat monthly fee of $5. If you receive at least one medication through Rx Pass each year, it is projected that you could save up to $70 out-of-pocket.
That number increases the more medications you receive. It is intended to help reduce Medicare spending. If all Medicare enrollees used Rx Pass for their eligible medications, Medicare spending would decrease by $ 1.5- $2 2 annually. This would allow for potentially lower Medicare costs and result in higher margins for the Medicare program.
MORE CONVENIENCE BROUGHT TO YOU BY AMAZON
RxPass was designed around convenience. Not only are the prices low, but the medications are easy to obtain. The program offers home delivery with free shipping, eliminating the need to visit the pharmacy.
In addition to easy medication delivery, members also have 24/7 access to a licensed pharmacist. This ensures you receive professional advice whenever and wherever you need it.
Individuals who are bed-bound, have limited mobility, or wish to stay home to reduce the risk of falls or avoidable injuries may have opted out of Medication in the past due to their inability to go to the pharmacy or leave their home. Now, these individuals can access the medication they need and benefit greatly from this program.
HOW AMAZON AND THE RxPASS COULD SHAKE UP THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG LANDSCAPE IN AMERICA
The introduction of Rx Pass places competitive pressure on traditional pharmacies and other prescription delivery services. This competition could lead to more affordable options and better services across the industry, benefiting all consumers, including Medicare beneficiaries.
This type of pressure is a step in the right direction for individuals who rely on prescription medications to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Additionally, if Amazon Rx Pass improves medication availability, it could improve health outcomes, resulting in fewer hospitalizations and fewer medical interventions, lower overall healthcare costs, and more money in your pocket each month.
Overall, Amazon Rx Pass represents a significant innovation in the delivery and cost of prescription medications. For Medicare beneficiaries, the potential cost savings, convenience, and improved medication availability are substantial benefits.
As the service evolves, it will be interesting to see how it affects Medicare Beneficiaries, their wallets, and the overall impact on prescription medication systems in the United States.
WRAPPING THINGS UP
We are excited to see how quickly the word spreads about the new Amazon RxPass. There is potential to deliver savings and convenience for Medicare beneficiaries and Amazon Prime Members. I liken this approach to COSTCO and SAM'S CLUB. They are not making money from the prices at the locations; they are making money from the Memberships. And, in the long run, this is a great way to keep a growing staff of Pharmacists and Pharmacy Techs busy while also adding value to your Amazon Prime membership.
