FamilyWize vs GoodRx: What Are the Differences?
February 10, 2023FamilyWize and GoodRx are popular prescription discount cards, but which should you choose? Learn the differences between FamilyWize vs GoodRx here.
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According to the Health Policy Institute, about 66 percent of all adults in the U.S. take prescription medication. However, prescription medications are often expensive, and the costs of treating your condition can soar if you’re prescribed more than one.
It’s particularly difficult for people who do not have insurance or are underinsured, as they would have to pay out of pocket for their medication. Fortunately, there is a product that helps people with a wide range of health conditions save money on medications, as long as they have a valid prescription: The prescription discount card.
Also known as a medication discount card, it can be used to save money off the retail price of prescription medication. In this article, we compare two of the most popular pharmacy discount cards, FamilyWize vs GoodRx, and what makes them different from each other.
A Quick Overview of FamilyWize vs GoodRx
Prescription medication in the U.S. is out of reach for many. According to a 2021 survey conducted by West Health and Gallup, approximately 18 million Americans were not able to afford at least one prescription medication within the past three months.
FamilyWize and GoodRx are meant to make prescription medication more affordable to those struggling to cover its costs. In doing so, they help encourage medication adherence, or taking medication regularly, thus promoting good health outcomes.
To get the lowest prices, FamilyWize and GoodRx negotiate with prescription medication manufacturers. They then pass the savings on to users of their medication discount cards.
| FamilyWize | GoodRx | |
|---|---|---|
| Medication Coverage | Most prescriptions | Most prescriptions |
| Cost to Use | Free | Free, with paid membership option |
| Age, Insurance or Income Restrictions | None, but purchases with the card do not count toward the deductible of insurance plans | None, but purchases with the card do not count toward the deductible of insurance plans |
| Size of Pharmacy Network | 35,000+ in the U.S. | 70,000+ in the U.S. and its territories |
| Sign Up Required | No | No |
| Card Format | Digital (website and app); may be printed | Digital (website and app) |
| Savings Potential | Up to 80 percent on name-brand and generic | Average of 81 percent off retail prices |
| Free Mobile App | Yes | Yes |
FamilyWize is a nonprofit organization that has recently merged with its sister company, SingleCare, to deliver more savings and increased savings to users of its medication coupon card. Meanwhile, GoodRx is a healthcare company that provides telehealth services as well as prescription medication discounts.
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FamilyWize vs GoodRx Website Features
Exploring the FamilyWize Website
FamilyWize’s main website is straightforward to navigate, but some may find it lacking in functionality. On the website, users can click on coupons for specific medications and have them sent to them via email or text. They can also be printed out.
The website also has an “Rx search” feature that allows users to look up medications they can save on using their FamilyWize pharmacy discount card. However, the feature does not give exact pricing information, only estimates of the maximum amount they can save. There is also no information on which specific pharmacy locations offer the most savings.
FamilyWize has a page on the SingleCare website, with quite a few more bells and whistles. Entering the drug name in the search bar pulls up a list of pharmacies that users can use their medication coupon card at as well as the option to change the location.
It also shows which pharmacies offer home delivery. Clicking on a price lets users download a digital medication coupon card, which they can show to participating pharmacies to save money off the retail price of their prescription medication.
Exploring the GoodRx Website
The GoodRx website is similar to FamilyWize’s page on the SingleCare website. Users can indicate their location and then search for their medication using the search bar at the top of the page.
Like the FamilyWize/SingleCare page, the GoodRx website will show a list of participating pharmacies and their prices for the searched-for drug. It will also indicate which ones offer home delivery. However, there is one significant difference: Some discounts can only be claimed by those who have signed up for GoodRx’s paid membership, GoodRx Gold, which costs $9.99 per month for an individual or $19.99 for a family plan.
FamilyWize vs GoodRx: Participating Pharmacies
One of the most important considerations when choosing a medication discount card is where you can use it. Some cards have small pharmacy networks in a specific region or state, while others can be used nationwide and even in U.S. territories like Puerto Rico.
FamilyWize’s medication coupon card can be used at more than 35,000 pharmacies in the U.S., including major chains such as:
- Costco
- Publix
- Rite Aid
- Walmart
- CVS Pharmacy
Meanwhile, GoodRx has a network of 70,000 participating pharmacies nationwide, with a handful of locations in the U.S. territories. Some of the pharmacies they’ve partnered with are:
- ACME Sav-On
- Giant
- Walgreens
- CVS Pharmacy
- Vons
Another Option: The Inside Rx Discount Card
The Inside Rx medication count card offers many of the same benefits as GoodRx and FamilyWize as well as some unique advantages.
The Inside Rx brand is a subsidiary of Express Scripts, a pharmacy benefit management (PBM) company founded more than three decades ago. While other discount cards have to go through PBMs to negotiate pricing with pharmaceutical companies, Inside Rx doesn’t need to. This means potentially more savings that may be passed on to users of its medication discount card.
You can use it to get discounts on thousands of FDA-approved medications, both name-brand and generic, that are prescribed for conditions including but not limited to:
Inside Rx offers up to 80 percent discount on brand and generic medications as well as an average of 50 percent savings on brand-name diabetes medicines.
Inside Rx Pharmacy Network
You can use your Inside Rx pharmacy discount card at nearly 60,000 pharmacies in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. These include small, independent pharmacies as well as big chains. Some of the pharmacies we’ve partnered with are:
Ibuprofen
$ 4.00Escitalopram Oxalate
$ 8.98Get Discounts on the Medication You Need With Inside Rx
With the information from this article, you are better equipped to make an informed decision as to which to choose. It doesn’t have to be FamilyWize vs GoodRx. An excellent alternative is Inside Rx, a discount card designed to help users save on prescription medication without insurance.
Download it here.
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