Amazon Pharmacy accepts Medicare Part D, but not all plans cover the same drugs at the same price
Amazon Pharmacy is a licensed pharmacy that fills prescriptions and ships them to your home. It accepts Medicare Part D coverage, which means your Part D plan can pay for drugs you order through Amazon instead of a traditional pharmacy. However, whether Amazon Pharmacy works for you depends on whether your specific Part D plan has a contract with Amazon, and whether the drug you need is on your plan's formulary — the list of covered medications.
Not every Part D plan includes Amazon Pharmacy in its network. Some plans do; others do not. The only way to know whether your plan covers Amazon Pharmacy is to check your plan documents or call the plan directly. Even if your plan does accept Amazon, the price you pay out of pocket can vary widely depending on the drug, your plan's cost-sharing rules, and whether you have hit your deductible or entered the coverage gap.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon Pharmacy is a real pharmacy licensed to fill prescriptions, and some Medicare Part D plans do contract with it, but not all.
- You must contact your Part D plan to confirm whether Amazon Pharmacy is in your network before you try to use it.
- Even if your plan accepts Amazon Pharmacy, you pay the same out-of-pocket cost as you would at any other pharmacy — the price does not change because it is Amazon.
- Amazon Pharmacy does not accept Medicare Part A or Part B, only Part D prescription drug coverage.
- If your plan does not include Amazon Pharmacy, you can still use any pharmacy in your Part D plan's network.
How to check if your Part D plan works with Amazon Pharmacy
Call your Part D plan's customer service number. This number is on your insurance card or in your plan's welcome packet. Tell them you want to know whether Amazon Pharmacy is in your plan's network. They will give you a yes or no answer. If the answer is yes, ask them to confirm that your specific plan includes Amazon Pharmacy — not all plans from the same insurance company do.
You can also log into your plan's website and search for pharmacy locations or network pharmacies. Some plans list Amazon Pharmacy directly; others do not make it obvious. If you cannot find the answer online, a phone call is faster and more reliable than searching.
What your out-of-pocket cost will be at Amazon Pharmacy
Your copay or coinsurance at Amazon Pharmacy is the same as at any other pharmacy in your Part D plan's network. Amazon does not negotiate a lower price for Medicare patients. You pay what your plan says you owe — whether that is a flat copay (for example, $5 for a generic drug) or a percentage of the cost (coinsurance).
Your out-of-pocket costs depend on where you are in your Part D plan's benefit year. If you have not met your deductible, you pay the full price until you do. Once you hit the deductible, your plan starts to pay. As you spend more, you may enter the coverage gap (sometimes called the "donut hole"), where you pay a higher percentage. After you spend enough out of pocket, you reach catastrophic coverage, where your plan pays most of the cost. Amazon Pharmacy follows these same rules as any other pharmacy.
What drugs Amazon Pharmacy can fill for you
Amazon Pharmacy can only fill drugs that are on your Part D plan's formulary. The formulary is the official list of medications your plan covers. If a drug is not on the formulary, your plan will not pay for it at Amazon Pharmacy or anywhere else — unless your doctor requests an exception.
Before you transfer a prescription to Amazon Pharmacy, check your plan's formulary to confirm the drug is covered. You can find the formulary on your plan's website or by calling customer service. If the drug is not listed, ask your doctor whether a similar drug on the formulary might work for you, or whether they can request a formulary exception from your plan.
How to transfer a prescription to Amazon Pharmacy
Ask your current pharmacy or your doctor's office to send your prescription to Amazon Pharmacy. You will need to provide Amazon Pharmacy's pharmacy number, which you can find on Amazon's website or by calling their customer service line. Your doctor can also send the prescription directly to Amazon if you ask them to.
Once Amazon Pharmacy receives your prescription, they will contact you to confirm the price you will pay and arrange delivery. Prescriptions typically arrive within one to three business days, depending on your location. You can also set up automatic refills for medications you take regularly, so you do not have to reorder each month.
When Amazon Pharmacy may not be an option
Some medications cannot be shipped by mail, including certain controlled substances and some injectables that require refrigeration or special handling. If your drug falls into one of these categories, you will need to use a traditional pharmacy even if your plan accepts Amazon Pharmacy.
If your Part D plan does not include Amazon Pharmacy in its network, you can still use any other pharmacy that is in your plan's network. You can find network pharmacies by searching your plan's website or calling customer service. Chain pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid are in most Part D networks, as are many independent pharmacies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my Medicare Part D plan pay less if I use Amazon Pharmacy instead of my local pharmacy?
No. Your out-of-pocket cost is the same whether you use Amazon Pharmacy or any other pharmacy in your plan's network. Amazon does not offer a discount for Medicare patients. The price your plan pays and the price you pay are determined by your plan's rules, not by which pharmacy you choose.
Can I use Amazon Pharmacy if I have a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan?
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, it includes prescription drug coverage (Part D). Whether that plan accepts Amazon Pharmacy depends on the specific plan. If you have Original Medicare plus a Medigap policy, you need a separate Part D plan, and that plan may or may not include Amazon Pharmacy. Call your plan to confirm.
What if my doctor prescribes a drug that Amazon Pharmacy says is not covered?
Contact your Part D plan and ask whether the drug is on your formulary. If it is not, ask your plan about requesting a formulary exception — your doctor can submit this request. If an exception is denied or if a similar drug on the formulary would work, your doctor can help you switch to a covered alternative.
Can I use Amazon Prime to get faster delivery of my prescriptions?
Amazon Pharmacy delivery is separate from Prime membership. Standard delivery typically takes one to three business days. Amazon Pharmacy does not offer Prime-style two-day or next-day delivery for prescriptions, though delivery speed may vary by location and drug type.