Prescription costs in the U.S. are all over the map. Walk into any pharmacy and you’ll hear someone gripe about sticker shock at the counter. But then there’s SingleCare—the card you can flash on your phone or print at home—and somehow, your medication drops from $120 to $18. It feels like a magic trick, but there’s a real reason behind it.
So how does SingleCare make those prices tumble? The answer isn’t obvious, but knowing why can help you save even more—and dodge a few headaches while you’re at it. First off, SingleCare isn’t insurance. It’s a free savings program that gives you access to rates usually reserved for big employers or insurance companies. Pharmacies have deals in place with SingleCare to bring in more shoppers, and SingleCare negotiates directly with those pharmacies—meaning you get a price that’s often better than using your actual insurance.
- What Is SingleCare and How Does It Work?
- Behind-the-Scenes: SingleCare’s Business Model
- Why Are the Discounts So Deep?
- Comparing SingleCare to Insurance and Other Programs
- How to Get the Most Savings on Your Prescriptions
- SingleCare User Tips: Avoiding the Pitfalls
What Is SingleCare and How Does It Work?
If you’ve ever wondered why people talk about SingleCare at the pharmacy, here’s how it actually works. It’s a free discount program that gives you a lower price on prescription drugs. Unlike insurance, there’s no monthly fee, no forms to sign, and no approval process. Anyone in the U.S. can use it—including people with no insurance, those who have a high deductible, or even folks who are just curious if they could pay less out of pocket.
Here’s how the whole thing comes together:
- You find your medication on the SingleCare website or app. Just type in the name and your zip code.
- SingleCare shows what you’d pay for that drug at different nearby pharmacies. You’ll usually see two or three big chains—like CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart—with prices that can look wildly different even for the same drug.
- If you like a price, you just print, text, or pull up your SingleCare coupon on your phone and bring it with your prescription to the pharmacy.
- The pharmacist scans the coupon. The special SingleCare rate kicks in instantly—no waiting or paperwork needed.
It’s worth knowing: these discounts cover most FDA-approved medications, including generics and a bunch of brand names. The program works at over 35,000 pharmacies across the country. That’s nearly every major chain and tons of local stores, so chances are good your favorite place takes it.
| SingleCare Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| Membership cost | Free |
| Who can use it? | Anyone (no eligibility check) |
| Pharmacies participating | 35,000+ |
| Prescription types covered | Most FDA-approved meds |
You don’t have to sign up, but making an account lets you track past savings and get alerts if the price drops further on your medicine. It’s that simple—find your med, show your coupon, pay less. That’s why the prescription savings part of SingleCare is such a big deal for people tired of overpaying at the counter.
Behind-the-Scenes: SingleCare’s Business Model
Most folks picture SingleCare like a coupon site, but there’s a lot more happening under the hood. SingleCare is what’s called a pharmacy discount card company—think of it as a negotiator that teams up with both pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to set lower prices for prescription drugs.
Here’s the deal: Pharmacies want more foot traffic, and SingleCare helps bring in customers who might otherwise go somewhere else. To make that happen, SingleCare works out agreements with PBMs, the middlemen who handle prescription pricing and drug lists for massive groups—like big companies, unions, or health plans. PBMs already have some of the best-negotiated rates in the country, and SingleCare leverages those deals to give regular people access to similar savings, no membership fee required.
So, how do they make money if the card is free? Every time you use a SingleCare card at the pharmacy, SingleCare gets a small transaction fee, paid by the pharmacy—not by you. It’s sort of like when a store pays Visa or Mastercard every time you swipe a credit card. This structure means savings for you, more business for the pharmacy, and a win for SingleCare each time someone fills a prescription.
Let’s look at how the flow actually works:
- You look up a SingleCare price for your medication on their site or app.
- You bring your offer (usually a digital or print coupon) to the pharmacy.
- The pharmacy enters SingleCare’s info when you check out, applying the discounted price.
- The pharmacy pays SingleCare a small fee, but keeps your business and might sell you other stuff while you’re there.
SingleCare isn’t alone in this game—there are other discount cards and even in-store savings clubs. But SingleCare stands out because it publishes real prices upfront. For example, an early 2024 study by Consumer Reports found SingleCare’s posted prices for some common prescriptions to be up to 70% lower than the cash price at the pharmacy counter.
| Medication | Average Cash Price | SingleCare Price | Percent Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisinopril (30 tablets) | $24 | $8 | 67% |
| Atorvastatin (30 tablets) | $32 | $12 | 62% |
| Sertraline (30 tablets) | $30 | $10 | 67% |
The transparency and instant price comparison are a big reason why pharmacies are willing to partner with SingleCare, and why patients keep coming back for more predictable, lower prescription costs.
Why Are the Discounts So Deep?
When you use SingleCare, you’re basically cutting out a ton of awkward middle steps that usually jack up the price of prescriptions. Here’s how it plays out: SingleCare works by teaming up with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). These are the same big players that negotiate bulk deals for huge groups—think insurance companies, big employers, or government plans. By tapping into these deals, SingleCare can offer the same low rates to regular folks without any membership fees.
A key part of this is volume. Pharmacies sign up for SingleCare because it brings in more buyers. If a pharmacy has a quiet afternoon and someone comes in with a SingleCare card, that’s still a sale they might not have gotten otherwise. So, they’re willing to accept slimmer profit margins in exchange for steady business. It’s a win-win: more foot traffic for them, steep savings for you.
Another reason the discounts are so big: SingleCare shows you prices up front. Pharmacies want to compete for your business, so SingleCare lets them put their best deals out there. You can check prices online or through the app before you even leave the house. It keeps everyone honest and ditches the whole guessing-game vibe common in healthcare.
To show just how much things can change, here's a real-world look at average savings when using SingleCare compared to regular pharmacy retail prices:
| Medication | Average Retail Price | SingleCare Price | Potential Savings (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisinopril (30 tablets) | $19 | $6 | 68% |
| Atorvastatin (30 tablets) | $54 | $10 | 81% |
| Amoxicillin (30 capsules) | $24 | $8 | 67% |
The catch? You’re paying the discount price out-of-pocket, not using insurance. Most people find it’s cheaper this way, especially for generic meds. That’s because insurance companies often stick you with a co-pay that’s higher than the SingleCare price. The trick is always to ask the pharmacist to compare your insurance cost to the SingleCare rate.
Comparing SingleCare to Insurance and Other Programs
This is where things get interesting. You’d think your insurance always scores you the lowest price at the pharmacy, but that’s not always true. Plenty of folks find that using SingleCare actually beats their copay—sometimes by a lot. That’s because insurance companies have their own set prices, deductibles, and preferred drugs, plus a middleman called a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) who takes a cut. With SingleCare, there’s no cut for the insurer, so you get what’s basically a wholesale price.
Now, how does SingleCare stack up to other discount cards like GoodRx or WellRx? They all work on more or less the same principle, but the deals they cut with pharmacies differ. Sometimes SingleCare will have the best price; sometimes, one of the others does. It pays to check all three before filling a script. It’s not cheating the system—it’s just being smart with your money.
- If you have a high-deductible plan, SingleCare might save you a ton before you meet your deductible.
- No insurance? SingleCare works for you too—just pay SingleCare’s price at the counter.
- Already paying a low copay with insurance? Sometimes SingleCare isn’t cheaper, so always check before you pay.
Here’s a side-by-side look at what you might pay for a common prescription:
| Program | Monthly Price* for Generic Lipitor (Atorvastatin) |
|---|---|
| Insurance Copay | $10–$35 |
| SingleCare | $5–$9 |
| GoodRx | $6–$10 |
*Prices can shift by pharmacy and region. Always double-check before heading to the counter.
Bottom line? Treat SingleCare, your insurance, and other discount cards as tools in your kit. Use whatever gets you the best deal. The pharmacy doesn’t care which one you pick—they’ll run whichever gets their system to spit out the lowest price.
How to Get the Most Savings on Your Prescriptions
Slashing your pharmacy bill with SingleCare is easier than you think, but there are a few tricks you should know to make the most of it. A lot of people just grab the first price they see and head to the counter, but a little extra effort can sometimes mean big savings.
Here’s how to really squeeze value out of SingleCare and make sure you never overpay for your meds:
- Compare prices at different pharmacies. SingleCare’s app and website let you type in your prescription and your zip code, and then you’ll see how much each local pharmacy charges. It’s not rare to find a $30 gap between two places a block apart.
- Check prices before every refill. Pharmacies adjust their prices often, and SingleCare updates deals in real time. What was cheapest last month might not be this month.
- Don’t assume insurance is cheaper. Sometimes, SingleCare beats even your copay, especially for generic meds. Always check both prices. You can ask the pharmacist to run both in the computer and take the lowest price—there’s no rule against it.
- Bring the exact price code. Each offer in the SingleCare app or website comes with a unique code. Show it right at the counter (on your phone or printed out) so the pharmacist enters the exact deal you saw online.
- Sign up for free SingleCare rewards. If you grab an account (still free), you can start racking up rewards after a few qualifying fills. It’s not a ton, but it can mean an extra $5 coupon here and there.
- Ask your doctor about different forms or dosages. Sometimes, a slightly different dosage or a tablet instead of a capsule is cheaper. For example, two 10mg tablets may cost less than one 20mg tablet. Your doctor can tell you if that’s safe and okay for your prescription.
Here’s a quick example of how prices can shift around pharmacies, all using SingleCare for a common generic medication:
| Pharmacy | SingleCare Price for Atorvastatin (30 tablets, 20mg) |
|---|---|
| CVS | $12.40 |
| Walgreens | $15.30 |
| Walmart | $10.50 |
| Kroger | $11.10 |
That’s a range from $10.50 to $15.30 for the exact same med, the same quantity, just a different place down the road. So next time, check prices on the SingleCare site first, compare, and show up at the pharmacy with your code ready. You can walk out with your meds and a little extra cash in your pocket.
SingleCare User Tips: Avoiding the Pitfalls
Using SingleCare to cut your pharmacy bill is smart, but a few rookie mistakes can trip you up if you’re not careful. Here’s how to get all the perks, minus the headaches.
First, double-check your price before you go. The price you see on the SingleCare app or website is usually right, but every so often a pharmacy’s system isn’t updated or they run out of stock. Snap a screenshot or have the code handy, just in case the clerk needs to double-check.
- Always compare your SingleCare price with your insurance, especially on pricey prescriptions. Sometimes insurance is cheaper, especially for generics, but SingleCare often wins for brand names and uncovered meds.
- Don’t assume every pharmacy has the same SingleCare price. Prices change by store—sometimes by a lot. Use the app or website to shop around in your neighborhood before picking up.
- Make sure to use the right code. SingleCare gives you different codes for each pharmacy chain, so grab the correct one, or you could be quoted the wrong price.
- If you’re filling a new prescription, let the pharmacist know you’ll use SingleCare up front. Some stores need to enter the code before they ring up your meds to get the discount right away.
- Watch out for prescription limits. Some deals only cover a 30-day supply, not a 90-day fill. If you get surprised at the register, ask if breaking it into 30-day fills makes a difference.
There’s a common mix-up where people think you can stack SingleCare with insurance—nope, it’s one or the other. If you try both, the pharmacy system will kick one out.
According to a 2024 survey by the National Community Pharmacists Association, about 23% of people using prescription discount cards like SingleCare didn’t know the price could differ from one location to another. That’s easy money left on the table.
| Pharmacy | SingleCare Price* | Insurance Copay* |
|---|---|---|
| Big Box Pharmacy | $12.48 | $15.00 |
| Local Independent | $14.30 | $9.50 |
| Superstore Pharmacy | $9.95 | $12.00 |
*Prices based on an average generic prescription filled April 2025. Actual costs may vary by location and drug.
If your meds aren’t available for a great price through SingleCare, try searching with the generic drug name or changing your pharmacy to see if you can score a better deal. Pharmacies don’t always keep prices steady week to week, so it pays to check back before every refill.