The Free Way to Beat High Prescription Costs with Blink Health

For millions of people, prescriptions are essential as food, air, and water—whether it’s managing chronic disease, treating acute illness, relieving pain, or even prolonging life. Yet, nearly 1 in 4 Americans report they have trouble affording their medication. And that shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Over the years, the cost of prescriptions has climbed at an unsustainable rate. From 2000 to 2018, per capita spending on prescription drugs in the U.S. increased from approximately $540 to a staggering $1,200. On top of that, many drug companies continue to raise prices each year several times the rate of U.S. inflation. In the first month of 2020 alone, prices for hundreds of everyday medications increased by nearly 10 percent. 

The Consequences of High Drug Prices

Increasing drug prices can have significant health and financial ramifications, particularly for those with multiple health conditions and lower incomes. A 2019 survey from Consumer Reports found that for patients in the U.S. who saw an increase in the cost of their prescriptions:

• 23% didn’t fill a prescription

• 20% put off a doctor’s visit

• 14% took an expired medication instead

• 13% declined another medical test or procedure

• 12% changed their dosage or made other changes to how they took the drug

• 10% swapped an expensive Rx drug for a non-Rx option

Rising prices also impacted household budgets. Of those surveyed:

• 34% spent less on entertainment and dining out

• 23% used a credit card more often

• 22% spent less on groceries

• 19% spent less on family

• 17% postponed paying other bills

• 5% took a second job

Skipping out on essential medications can lead to higher medical costs down the road, along with increased risk for hospitalizations and emergency department visits, which we know are very expensive forms of care. Some research estimates that when people don’t take their medications as prescribed for a chronic health condition, it costs the U.S. healthcare system between $100 billion and $289 billion annually.

How Blink Health Can Help You Cut Your Prescription Costs

Here at Blink Health, we’ve made it our mission to reverse the high costs of prescription medications for all Americans. By using technology to pass more savings directly to you (vs. industry middlemen), we give anyone with a valid prescription the ability to access more affordable prices. Just search for your medication and pay online with Blink—you can continue to pick up at your local pharmacy, or switch to free home delivery for even more savings. 

Here are some of the best prices you can get with Blink:

*The average retail prices are estimates based on internal market research conducted as of October 2020. †Prices with Blink as of October 2020. 

But I Have Health Insurance—Can I Still Use Blink?

In some cases, you may be able to save with Blink instead of going through your insurance. This is especially true if you have a high copay or coinsurance. To quickly compare prices, just ask your pharmacist if paying the cash price for your prescription would be cheaper, and they can let you know which is the best option based on your insurance coverage. (If you have a high deductible health plan, you can also use your HSA money to cover your out-of-pocket costs with Blink.)

Here are a few medications where Blink may be able to beat your insurance price:

*Insurance prices based on internal market research at Blink as of October 2020.

Benefits of Online vs. Retail Pharmacies

A major benefit of switching to Blink is that you can get your medications delivered directly to your home. Ordering your medications online is a new idea for many people—but switching to a reputable online pharmacy has its advantages. Here are some of the perks you get with Blink over big-box retail chains like CVS and Walgreens.  

Bigger Savings: You can save up to 80% compared to the average retail price at your local pharmacy.

Automatic Deliveries: We ship your everyday medications automatically so you don’t have to worry about running low or missing a dose (plus, you’ll avoid high-risk environments during COVID-19).

Hassle-Free Refills: We save you a trip to the pharmacy or doctor's office by reaching out to your healthcare provider to handle prescription renewals for you.

Easy Medication Management: See everything in all one place right from your phone or computer.

Online Doctor Visits: Need help getting a prescription? We also offer virtual care for select conditions like erectile dysfunction, hair loss, birth control, cold sores, high cholesterol, and acid reflux.

What Will You Do with Your Rx Savings?

We’re all about helping you discover better health—and financial freedom. Customers who save with Blink can use their savings to:

• Pay for essentials like groceries, rent/mortgage, and bills 

• Save for college, a family vacation, or a down payment on a house 

• Put more money into your retirement account

No matter what you have in mind, we’ve got low prices to help you make it happen. Just visit Blink Health to see how much you could save on your medications. And if you’ve seen a lower price—let us know.