Amazon Pharmacy expands RXPass to include Medicare beneficiaries
More than 50 million Medicare beneficiaries are now eligible to take advantage of RxPass, an Amazon Prime benefit that offers affordable access to common medications; free delivery each month; and the ability to connect with a pharmacist 24/7.
A Medicare beneficiary who takes at least one medication available through RxPass could save approximately $70 per year and a beneficiary who takes two or more medications could save even more, Amazon said. If all Medicare beneficiaries transitioned their eligible medications to RxPass, Medicare spending would be reduced by nearly $2 billion, and customer out-of-pocket spending also would decrease, the company added.
“Programs like RxPass help reduce cost, while increasing convenience for caregivers and customers of all ages, which is shown to improve medication adherence and support better health outcomes,” said John Love, vice president of Amazon Pharmacy. “Amazon Pharmacy and Prime continue to offer new ways to save time and money at every step of your health journey.”
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“Many people don’t realize that even if you have great insurance, you can still save on select medications by using programs like RxPass,” Love said. “The overall cost of medications can be lower, and that’s not even factoring in the time and effort saved from not having to drive to a pharmacy or stand in line.”
At Amazon Pharmacy, customers have the option to use insurance for some or all of their eligible medications, or use savings programs from Prime for eligible medications, which do not use insurance. Prime savings programs including RxPass and the Prime prescription saving benefit offer up to 80% off the cost of generics and up to 40% off the cost of brand name medications.
“Prime is savings, convenience, and care all in a single membership,” said Jamil Ghani, worldwide vice president of Prime. “Millions of Americans enjoy Prime’s exclusive savings, exceptional entertainment options, and fast, free delivery of products and services, and now they have access to a growing number of health care offerings including One Medical membership, medications priced as low as $1 through the Prime prescription savings benefit, and unlimited access to eligible generic medications from RxPass.”
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Research shows people don’t take their medications as prescribed about half the time. Most older adults (76%) report that the cost of prescription drugs is unreasonable. Approximately 16 million Americans live in a pharmacy desert, and an estimated 10% of people face mobility concerns. As the U.S. population continues to age, these challenges are projected to grow. Improving medication access and affordability can reduce these barriers.
“There are a high number of adults who, whether due to cost, mobility, or simply not having time to collect their medications from the pharmacy, are not adhering to a medication regimen that could be life-saving,” said Dr. Vin Gupta, chief medical officer of Amazon Pharmacy and a practicing pulmonologist. “When a patient’s medication arrives regularly at their door, at a price they can afford, we see better long-term health outcomes.
Approximately 38 million people or about 12% of the U.S. population has diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. The percentage of Americans age 65 and older managing the complex and, at times, debilitating disease is even higher, at 29%, or approximately 16 million seniors.
“Prescription medications can be a critical tool in diabetes management and treatment programs,” said Charles “Chuck” Henderson, CEO of the American Diabetes Association. “Lack of access to appropriate medications is a barrier to positive health outcomes. The ADA is supportive of efforts that increase access to the treatment and care people living with diabetes need to thrive.”
Offerings like RxPass or the Prime prescription savings program can provide affordable medication stability for patients with no insurance or high deductibles. Amazon Pharmacy also offers automatic coupons on insulin and other diabetes care products, which can lower the cost of care.
“Treatment guidelines continue to evolve with evidence supporting the use of combination therapy (2+ meds) for conditions like high blood pressure,” said Dr. Gupta. “Programs like RxPass were designed with these treatment considerations in mind, enabling initiation of two blood pressure medications instead of one without any additional cost to the patient.”