You can save up to 80% on FDA-approved medications when using the Optum Perks pharmacy discount card.
For example, Oseltamivir 75 mg retails for $154.
However, when you give the pharmacy your Optum Perks card, your price can be as low as $23.42.
The company offers excellent savings and an easy-to-use app.
However, there are drawbacks as well.
Optum Perks reviews will look into all aspects of this discount card.
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What is Optum Perks?
The Optum Perks discount card offers savings at over 64,000 pharmacies and up to 80% off the retail drug price.
Both insured and uninsured patients can find savings for their medications when using this discount card.
The Optum Perks card can even help get your pet a discounted prescription.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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✅ Uses Optum Rx to leverage low drug prices
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❌ Cannot be used with insurance
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✅ Prescription delivery available
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❌ Not always the best discount |
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✅ Discounts for pets
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Is Optum Perks Legit?
Optum Perks is legitimate and a part of the massive conglomerate Optum Inc.
The company has saved patients over $1.7 billion on medications.
18.6 million people have used the Optum Perks discount card.
The company has excellent reviews with an easy-to-navigate website and mobile app.
Optum Perks is not a scam but rather a trusted brand and heavily utilized discount card.
How does Optum Perks Work?
Optum Perks works with Optum Rx, a pharmacy benefits manager who negotiates medication prices in bulk with retail pharmacies.
Through these negotiations, Optum Perks can pass prescription savings to those who use the free discount card.
When using the company’s app or website, you can search for your medication and a list of pharmacies and prices will display.
There is a five-step process to find the lowest prescription price.
The screenshots below are from the Optum Perks app.
Step 1
Select “Find a drug coupon” at the bottom of the screen.
Step 2
Search for your medication on the app or website.
Step 3
Confirm your generic or brand name, form of drug, dosage, quantity, and location.
Then click “See prices”
Step 4
After entering your drug information, a list of local pharmacies with corresponding prices will display.
The prices will differ depending on the deal OptumRx has negotiated with each pharmacy.
In the example below, Levothyroxine can be found for the lowest price at Walmart.
Tap the pharmacy you would like to use.
Step 5
Your Optum Perks pharmacy discount card will populate.
Show your phone, card, or coupon to the pharmacist, and your discount will be deducted from your bill.
Tip - Each prescription discount card has prices negotiated by its pharmacy benefits manager (PBM).
This is what leads to significant price discrepancies between each individual Rx Coupon.
Compare all cards against each other and save big!
Are Optum Perks Free?
Optum Perks offers a 100% free prescription discount card.
When you use their free Rx coupon, you will be able to find discounts up to 80% off the drug’s cash price.
Optum Rx negotiates the drug prices on behalf of Optum Perks. The prices fluctuate depending on what pharmacy you use.
For example, the retail cash price for Oseltamivir is $154, according to Optum Perks.
| Pharmacy | Optum Perk Price |
|---|---|
|
Costco |
$22.44 |
|
Walmart |
$24.34 |
|
Walgreens |
$39.92 |
|
CVS Pharmacy |
$41.27 |
Optum Store
On the Optum Perks app, you will see pharmacies like Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens.
However, you may see the Optum Store as a pricing option.
The Optum Store offers online ordering and free home delivery for your medications.
You must create an account to receive free home delivery with the Optum Store.
Creating an account consists of entering your name, email, phone number, and billing information.
The Optum Store will also want to confirm that your prescription is both valid and active.
Once the order has been processed, it will be shipped to the requested address.
Using the Optum Store can save time, but the medications are often more expressive than going to your local drug store.
The picture below shows how the home delivery option will look on the Optum Perks app.
Once you click “Optum Store,” you will be sent to the Optum Store website.
Tip - There are a handful of prescription discount cards that offer delivery.
InsideRx and Blink Health are two cards that offer prescription delivery for free.
What Pharmacies Accept Optum Perks?
Optum Perks is accepted at 64,000 pharmacies nationwide. The partner list ranges from Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, and many others, including independent pharmacies.
Keep in mind that not all pharmacies offer the same discounts.
Price checking different pharmacies can mean major savings.
Below are some of the pharmacies that accept the Optum Perks card.
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Costco |
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Cub Pharmacy |
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CVS Pharmacy |
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H-E-B |
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Hy-Vee |
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Kroger |
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Meijer |
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Publix |
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Rite Aid |
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Target (CVS) |
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Walgreens |
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Walmart |
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Winn Dixie |
Can you use Optum Perks if you have Insurance?
Insured and uninsured patients can use the Optum Perks discount card.
However, Optum Perks and insurance cannot be combined.
This is the industry standard for all prescription discount cards.
To find the cheaper option, ask the pharmacist to price check your insurance copay vs. the Optum Perks discount card.
Similarly to standard health insurance, Optum Perks cannot be combined with Medicare.
Why did I Receive an Optum Perks Card?
An Optum Perks prescription discount card may have been sent to you.
The company’s goal is for you to use the card at your local pharmacy.
Along with getting a reduced drug price each time you use the Rx coupon, prescription discount card companies make money when you use their card.
Similar cards like SingleCare have direct-to-consumer marketing, hoping people will use their card at the drug store.
Who Owns Optum Perks?
Optum Perks is part of Optum Inc.
The Optum companies have three main businesses: OptumHealth, OptumInsight, and OptumRx.
Since 2011 Optum Inc. has been a subsidiary of the mega health system United Health Group.
Optum Perks vs GoodRx
GoodRx is the most known prescription discount card.
However, when Optum Perks is compared side by side with GoodRx, these discount cards are very competitive regarding some of America’s most common medications.
Below is a list of popular prescriptions with Optum Perks vs GoodRx prices side by side.
| Medication | Optum Perks Best Discount | GoodRx Best Discount |
|---|---|---|
|
Amlodipine 10mg 30 Tablets |
$6.86 |
$9.00 |
|
Amoxicillin 500mg 30 Capsules |
$3.95 |
$4.66 |
|
Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg 30 Tablets |
$3.66 |
$4.00 |
|
Hydrocodone 7.5/325 Tablet 60 Tablets |
$8.06 |
$14.23 |
|
Levothyroxine 50mcg 30 Tablets |
$4.00 |
$4.00 |
|
Lisinopril 20mg 30 Tablets |
$4.00 |
$4.00 |
|
Metformin 1000mg 60 Tablets |
$4.00 |
$4.00 |
|
Omeprazole 40mg 30 Capsules |
$8.00 |
$10.16 |
|
Simvastatin 20mg 30 Tablets |
$5.16 |
$6.24 |
How does Optum Perks Make Money?
Like many prescription discount cards, Optum Perks, in partnership with their pharmacy benefits manager (OptumRx), charges the participating drugstores and pharmacies a small fee every time someone uses their prescription discount card.
You receive a discounted price on your medications from Optum Perks, and they receive a fee from the pharmacy.
The pharmacy agrees to the discount because it brings people into their stores who would have either gone to another drug store or forgone purchasing their medication entirely due to price.
Optum Perks for Pets
Optum Perks will work for your pet if your veterinarian writes the prescription and sends it to a participating pharmacy.
The card will work the same as if you were picking up medication for yourself.
In Conclusion
Optum Perks offers savings at over 64,000 pharmacies and up to 80% on FDA-approved drugs.
The company is legitimate and has saved patients over $1.7 billion on prescriptions.
Optum Perks works with their pharmacy benefits manager, OptumRx, to offer discounted prescription drugs.
The mobile app is easy to navigate and will display your lowest-priced option for the medication you need.
Optum Perks is free and does not require you to sign up for access.
The Optum Store offers home delivery for your medications, but you must sign up for an account.
The card will also work for pets if your vet sends the prescription to one of the pharmacy partners.