Discount Drug Card - Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Generation America (Gen-A) Discount Drug Card work?
Our free Discount Drug Card can be used at your pharmacy if you do not have insurance for one or more of your current prescriptions. You might be able to save even more if you have expensive brand name drugs you are taking through our EquivaMeds service. EquivaMeds helps you and your doctor find lower cost, but equally effective, prescription drug options.
How do I qualify?
There are no qualifications, age restrictions, no preexisting condition restrictions, and no residency restrictions. Simply said, there are no restrictions at all. So relax, once you are a member of Generation America, you are already qualified! Click Here to join now!
Can I use the Gen-A Discount Drug Card if I already have insurance?
Use your insurance if you have it for your prescription drugs. However, many times people with insurance are prescribed medication from their doctor that is not covered by their insurance. Under that circumstance, you can use the Gen-A Discount Drug Card. If you have insurance but pay a very high copay to get your medication you should try EquivaMeds, which is offered complimentary to Generation America members. (This service normally costs up to $24.95 a year!)
What is EquivaMeds?
EquivaMeds is an online search tool that can help you quickly find alternate low cost drug options. Created by physicians, EquivaMeds helps your doctor understand the one thing he or she doesn’t know about your health care: the out-of-pocket cost of your prescription drugs. Like generics, equivalent-class medications can save money for millions of people without reducing the quality of your care. Our members save an average of $893 per year
For example, if you are taking Nexium for acid reflux or Lipitor to manage your high cholesterol and you have prescription drug insurance, you may pay $50, $60 or even $70 in copay costs for these medications. In this instance, EquivaMeds will help you do the following:
- Research for other options in other drug classes that could help you
- Research the pricing for each of these other drug options
- Provide a report for you to print out and bring to your doctor
I use Medicare Part D. Can I use the Gen-A Discount Drug Card?
Medicare Part D is prescription drug insurance. The Gen-A Discount Drug Card is not insurance, nor does it replace your Medicare Part D prescription drug insurance, and is only intended to provide discounts on your prescription drugs that are not covered under Part D or another third party payor. You should always present your Part D card first to the pharmacist.
With that said, there are two situations when it is appropriate for a Medicare Part D customer to use their Gen-A Discount Drug Card. These are whenever you have to pay 100% of the cost for your prescription, which typically happens (1) during the deductible period and (2) while you are in the donut hole.
The Donut Hole (sometimes spelled Doughnut Hole) is where the participant (you) covers up to 100% of your generic prescription drug cost and 50% of your brand-name prescription costs. If you find yourself with a deductible or in the Medicare Part D Donut Hole, the Gen-A Discount Drug Card can help you save on your prescription drug costs.
The key is when you enter the Donut Hole. If you enter early in the year and you believe you will definitely get through to the other side –when Medicare Part D picks most of your costs– then you should NOT use ANY discount card as these claims may not be accepted by Medicare. If that happens, you will never reach the other side of the Donut Hole where you benefit from Medicare paying most of your costs.
On the other hand, many people reach the Donut Hole late in the year and have no chance of getting to the other side. If that is you, then you should use the Gen-A Discount Drug Card to help keep your prescription drug costs low until the New Year.
Please note you will have to submit your receipts to your Medicare Part D insurance company to be credited for out of pocket costs when you use your discount drug card.
How about the rest of my family?
Yes. Your family can use the Gen-A Discount Drug Card too.
Where can I use the Gen-A Drug Discount Card?
Your Gen-A Discount Drug Card is accepted at over 60,000 pharmacies. To find participating pharmacies, use our pharmacy locator tool. If you are traveling or moving to a new city or state, you can still use your Gen-A Discount Drug Card at your new pharmacy.
Why is my pharmacy participating in this program?
All pharmacies -- large chain stores, grocery and mass market pharmacies, as well as independent pharmacies-- are interested in helping you, their customer, while providing the best pharmacy services for you so that you will keep coming back. Supporting a program like the Gen-A Discount Drug Card helps them to help you.
How much does it cost?
The Gen-A Discount Drug Card is FREE to Generation America members and their immediate family.
Which prescription drugs are included in the Gen-A Discount Drug Card program?
You should see savings when you use the Gen-A Discount Drug Card on FDA-approved drugs. However, there are some instances, particularly with low cost generic drugs already priced so low, that no discount is available.
Does my physician need to know about this program?
No. All you need to do is show the Gen-A Discount Drug Card at the pharmacy and the pharmacist will take care of providing you with the discount.
What can I save?
You can save using the Gen-A Discount Drug Card on both generic and brand name drugs. The savings you experience can be up to 70% or more, depending on the drug. Most people see an average savings of 30% off what you might otherwise pay if you do not have insurance coverage for that prescription.
Can I use it for my pet’s medications?
Yes! There are many medications prescribed by physicians that are also prescribed by veterinarians for pets. You can use the Gen-A Discount Drug Card for these medications and realize similar discount savings at your local pharmacy.
How do I get answers to questions not covered in this FAQ?
Contact us at: info@generationamerica.org or 1-877-OUR GENA (687-4362)
