Key takeaways
Patients often face high prescription costs, which may cause them to not take medications as prescribed.
Understanding how discount card programs work and when to recommend them can help pharmacists better guide their patients.
Some instances when SingleCare may benefit a patient include when insurance costs more, when a drug is not covered, or when a patient is uninsured.
Working in a pharmacy is not for the faint of heart. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have to be able to multitask, think on their feet (and stand for long hours), and handle many difficult situations every day. More phone lines than staff to answer them are ringing, the drive-thru bell is dinging, and of course, someone is waiting at the pickup counter with multiple discount cards to compare prices.
It’s understandable that customers want to save money because prescriptions can be expensive. According to Georgetown University Health Policy Institute, the average adult spends $177 per year on prescription drugs. Older adults pay even more, with those aged 65 to 79 spending $456 per year, and those 80 and older paying higher amounts. Research from Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) shows that 43% of U.S. adults did not take their medications as prescribed in the past year because of the cost.
Pharmacists might not look forward to seeing a stack of discount cards when the pickup line is long, but these cards are here to stay and will probably become even more common. Learning how discount cards work, why reimbursement changes, and when they are helpful can make your conversations with patients easier. This guide covers how discount cards work, what makes SingleCare’s model different, and answers five common patient questions about discount cards.
What actually happens when a discount card claim hits your register
As pharmacy staff, we enter details like the BIN, PCN, ID, and group numbers, and the system gives us a price label. But what happens behind the scenes is not always clear. Many discount card programs send claims through a pharmacy benefit manager, or PBM. SingleCare, however, uses a direct-to-pharmacy model. Here’s what usually happens when a discount card claim is processed, though details can vary by card:
The claim is submitted using the discount card’s information.
- The pharmacy receives a contracted reimbursement rate plus a per-claim transaction fee.
- The patient pays the discounted price at the counter.
Do discount cards hurt the pharmacy? The honest economics
Pharmacists may be skeptical of discount card programs because the economics behind the claims are not always clear. Patients might save a lot, but pharmacies often worry about reimbursement, transaction fees, and the extra work that comes with handling multiple cards during a busy shift.
There isn’t a simple yes or no answer. Whether a discount card helps the pharmacy depends on the program and the contract in place. This means different pharmacies can have different experiences with the same type of discount card.
When reimbursement runs below your cost
Sometimes, the amount paid back with a discount card is less than what the pharmacy paid for the medication. This is a real concern, especially for pharmacists in independent pharmacies. When this happens, pharmacists might not recommend using a discount card.
Why it isn’t always a loss
Even though some claims might lead to losses, pharmacies often weigh the benefits of discount cards, such as filling more prescriptions, building customer loyalty, and selling other products, such as over-the-counter medicines. Also, SingleCare’s direct contracts with pharmacies can mean better reimbursements than cards that go through a PBM, since there is no middleman.
Why one card works at a pharmacy chain, and another doesn’t
Each discount program has its own contracts with pharmacy chains. If you try to use two different discount cards at the same chain, the chain might not be contracted with either program. SingleCare has direct contracts and is accepted at many pharmacies in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. You can check the website or app ahead of time to see if your pharmacy accepts your discount card.
Five patient objections and what to say
We understand that pharmacy staff don’t have much time for long talks, so here are some quick answers you can use when patients ask about SingleCare.
“Why is this more than my insurance copay would be?”
The price with a discount card is a lower cash price that does not use insurance. Depending on the medication, either your insurance copay or the discount card price could be lower. Comparing both prices helps you find the best deal.
“Is this card even legit, or some kind of scam?”
SingleCare is a legitimate program that is free to use, with no sign-up or hidden fees. It is accepted at over 35,000 pharmacies in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
“My last pharmacy gave me a better price with a different card.”
Prices can change depending on the pharmacy, the drug, the dosage, and the amount. If you are comparing different discount cards, it’s helpful to check the website for prices before coming in.
“Can I use my insurance and this card together?”
You can’t use insurance and a discount card for the same prescription. But we can compare the insurance price and the discount card price to see which is better. If you use a discount card, what you pay will not count toward your deductible.
“Why is the price different from what the app showed me?”
The prices shown are estimates based on the pharmacy and location. SingleCare updates prices often, so it’s best to check the website or app for the latest price before coming in.
When to reach for SingleCare
Here are some situations where SingleCare could help your patients:
- Copay is higher than the discount: For example, if your patient needs atorvastatin for high cholesterol, the insurance copay might be $30 for a 90-day supply of 40 mg tablets. With a SingleCare card, they could pay as little as $12, saving $18 each time. Over four fills a year, that’s up to $72 saved.
- Coverage denial: If your Medicare Part D patient needs benzonatate, which is often not covered, they might have to pay about $64 for 30 capsules of 100 mg. With a SingleCare discount, the price could be as low as $10.
- Uninsured patients: Patients without insurance often pay the full cash price, which can add up even for generic drugs. For example, generic Cozaar (losartan) costs $83 for 30 tablets of 100 mg. With a free SingleCare discount, the patient could pay as little as $9, saving $74 each month, or nearly $900 a year.
Bottom line
Discount cards might feel like a hassle for busy pharmacy staff, but knowing how they work, when to suggest them, and how to answer questions can help patients save money and stick to their medication schedule.
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of Sep. 3, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our coupon page for updated drug prices at pharmacies near you.
- Prescription drugs, Georgetown University Health Policy Institute
- Americans’ challenges with health care costs, Kaiser Family Foundation (2026)
- A pharmacist’s primer on prescription discount cards, U.S. Pharmacist (2021)
- Drugs excluded from Part D coverage, Medicare Interactive (2026)
- Medically accurate: SingleCare’s Medical Review Board analyzes all of our content to confirm it’s in line with current medical advice.
- Evidence-based: Our content is sourced from reputable U.S.-based healthcare professionals and peer-reviewed research.
- Trustworthy: All of SingleCare’s content goes through a multi-phase review process by our writers, editors, and Medical Board in order to provide clear and credible information.