AARP Prescription Savings Calculator
Enter your prescription details above to see your potential savings
If you're over 50 and paying for medications out of pocket, you've probably wondered: AARP offers prescription discounts? The short answer is yes-but not in the way most people expect. AARP doesn’t run its own pharmacy or set drug prices. Instead, it partners with trusted providers to give members access to savings programs that can cut your monthly pill costs by up to 80%. This isn’t a vague promise. Real people are saving hundreds a year just by using the tools AARP makes available.
How AARP Prescription Discounts Actually Work
AARP partners with OptumRx, one of the largest pharmacy benefit managers in the U.S., to offer its members a free prescription discount card. This card isn’t insurance. It doesn’t replace Medicare Part D. What it does is give you access to negotiated prices at over 67,000 pharmacies nationwide-including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Target.
Here’s how it works in practice: You walk into your local pharmacy with a valid prescription. You hand over your AARP prescription discount card (or show it on your phone via the free AARP Mobile App). The pharmacist runs your drug through their system, and instead of paying the full retail price, you pay the discounted rate. No paperwork. No claims. No waiting for approval.
For example, a 30-day supply of metformin (a common diabetes drug) might cost $45 without the card. With the AARP card, it drops to $9. Generic lisinopril for high blood pressure? Retail price: $38. Discounted price: $4. These aren’t hypotheticals. These are real prices pulled from OptumRx’s 2025 drug pricing database.
Who Can Use the AARP Prescription Discount Card?
You don’t need to be an AARP member to use the card. Anyone can download it online or pick one up at an AARP office. But if you’re not a member, you’re missing out on more than just pharmacy savings. The discount card is one of the most valuable perks included with an AARP membership-which costs just $16 a year for individuals or $24 for couples.
Membership gives you access to other benefits too: discounts on vision care, hearing aids, dental services, travel, and even car insurance. But for most people over 50, the prescription savings alone pay for the membership many times over.
What Drugs Are Covered?
The AARP discount card works on most FDA-approved prescription medications, including brand-name and generic drugs. It covers everything from insulin and asthma inhalers to antibiotics and antidepressants. There are no formulary restrictions. No prior authorizations. No coverage gaps.
That’s different from Medicare Part D plans, which often limit which drugs they cover and require you to go through step therapy. With the AARP card, if a pharmacy stocks it and it’s prescribed by your doctor, you can get the discount.
There are a few exceptions: Controlled substances like opioids are sometimes excluded due to legal restrictions. Some specialty drugs may not be eligible if they’re only sold through limited distribution networks. But for the vast majority of medications seniors take daily, the card applies.
How Much Can You Save?
On average, AARP members save 56% on prescriptions. But savings vary widely depending on the drug, the pharmacy, and your location. The best way to know exactly how much you’ll save is to check the AARP Drug Savings Tool online. Just type in the name of your medication, the dosage, and your zip code. It instantly shows you the price at nearby pharmacies-with and without the discount card.
One 68-year-old in Ohio used the tool to compare prices for her cholesterol medication, atorvastatin. Without the card: $72. With the card at Walmart: $12. She switched her pharmacy and saved $720 a year. Another user in Florida saved $140 a month on his insulin by using the card at a local CVS instead of paying the cash price.
These aren’t rare cases. A 2025 survey of 12,000 AARP members found that 73% saved more than $100 a month on at least one prescription after using the card.
How to Get the AARP Prescription Discount Card
Getting the card is free and takes less than two minutes.
- Go to aarp.org/prescriptiondiscounts
- Click “Get Your Free Card”
- Enter your name, email, and zip code
- Download the digital card to your phone or print a physical copy
You can also call 1-877-458-1011 to request a card by mail. No membership number is needed to get the card. But if you’re already an AARP member, you can log in to your account and access the card instantly through the AARP Mobile App.
Can You Use It With Medicare?
Yes-and you should. Many seniors assume they have to choose between Medicare Part D and the AARP discount card. You don’t. In fact, you can use both.
Here’s the smart move: Use your Medicare Part D plan for drugs that are covered under your plan’s formulary and have low copays. For drugs that aren’t covered, or have high out-of-pocket costs, use the AARP card. You can even switch between them per prescription.
For example, if your Medicare plan has a $50 copay for a medication that costs $15 retail with the AARP card, you’re better off paying cash with the discount card. The pharmacy will let you pay the lower price instead of billing your insurance.
Why This Matters More in 2026
Drug prices keep climbing. The average cost of a prescription for seniors rose 7.8% in 2025, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. At the same time, Medicare Part D deductibles and premiums are increasing. More seniors are falling into the coverage gap-also known as the “donut hole.”
The AARP discount card acts as a financial safety net. It’s especially helpful for people who don’t qualify for Extra Help (a federal program that reduces drug costs for low-income seniors) or who are still in the Medicare Part D coverage gap.
Even if you have good insurance, the card can still help. Some plans don’t cover generics. Others have high coinsurance rates. The AARP card often beats those rates.
Common Misconceptions
There are a lot of myths floating around about AARP’s prescription program.
- Myth: You have to join AARP to use the card. Truth: You don’t. But joining gives you access to more savings and support.
- Myth: The card only works at certain pharmacies. Truth: It works at nearly every major chain and many independent pharmacies.
- Myth: It’s a scam or a marketing trick. Truth: OptumRx is a legitimate, federally regulated pharmacy benefit manager used by employers and insurers nationwide.
The program is free, transparent, and has no hidden fees. You pay only what the pharmacy charges after the discount is applied.
What to Do If Your Pharmacy Doesn’t Accept the Card
It’s rare, but sometimes a pharmacist isn’t familiar with the AARP card. If that happens:
- Ask them to check the OptumRx website or call their customer service line at 1-877-458-1011
- Have them enter your ZIP code and the drug name into the OptumRx pricing tool
- If they still refuse, ask to speak to a manager or try another pharmacy nearby
Most pharmacists are happy to use the card once they understand it’s a legitimate discount program. If you’re having trouble, AARP’s customer service team can help you find a nearby participating pharmacy.
Final Thoughts
If you’re paying for prescriptions, you’re paying too much. The AARP prescription discount card is one of the simplest, most effective ways to lower those costs. It doesn’t require enrollment, credit checks, or complicated forms. You don’t need to switch doctors or insurers. You just show the card at the pharmacy counter and pay less.
For seniors on fixed incomes, that kind of savings isn’t a luxury-it’s essential. And it’s available right now, for free. No waiting. No fine print. Just real savings on real medications.
Do I have to be an AARP member to get the prescription discount card?
No, you don’t need to be a member to use the card. Anyone can download or request it for free. But if you join AARP for $16 a year, you unlock additional discounts on vision, hearing, travel, and more-making the membership worth it for most people over 50.
Can I use the AARP card with Medicare Part D?
Yes. You can use the AARP discount card alongside your Medicare Part D plan. Use your Medicare plan for drugs covered under your formulary with low copays. For drugs that aren’t covered or have high costs, use the AARP card to pay the lower cash price. You can switch between them depending on which gives you the better deal.
Does the AARP discount card cover insulin?
Yes. The card works on all types of insulin, including brand-name and generic versions. Many users save 50-80% on insulin costs. For example, a vial of Humalog that costs $120 retail might drop to $28 with the AARP card.
Are there any restrictions on which pharmacies accept the card?
The card is accepted at over 67,000 pharmacies across the U.S., including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, and most independent pharmacies. If a pharmacy doesn’t recognize it, ask them to check OptumRx’s network or call customer service. It’s rare for a pharmacy to refuse.
How often do the discounts change?
Discounts are updated regularly based on pharmacy pricing agreements. The AARP Drug Savings Tool shows real-time prices, so you always know what you’ll pay. Prices can change weekly, so it’s smart to check before filling a prescription.
Can I use the card for pet medications?
No. The AARP prescription discount card is only for human medications prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider. It does not apply to veterinary prescriptions.
