Prescription Savings Finder
Find real prescription savings options if you're on Medicare — manufacturer copay cards don't apply, but Patient Assistance Programs do.
If you have Medicare, manufacturer copay cards (like the ones offering "$25 Ozempic" or "$10 Eliquis") are not legally available to you, federal law prohibits it. What IS available: manufacturer Patient Assistance Programs (income-based, different from copay cards), Extra Help, and the 2026 Part D $2,100 annual cap.
A lot of the prescription savings content online doesn't apply to Medicare beneficiaries, even when it doesn't say so clearly. This tool sorts out what actually works if you're on Medicare, versus what only applies to commercial insurance.
Check Your Real Savings Options
Manufacturer copay cards are not legally available to you due to federal law. Here's what IS available:
Manufacturer Patient Assistance Program
Typically income-based (often roughly 200-400% of the Federal Poverty Level, varies by manufacturer). Check the manufacturer's own official Patient Assistance Program page directly, not the copay card page.
Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy)
A federal program that can significantly lower Part D premiums, deductibles, and copays.
Extra Help Eligibility Calculator →2026 Part D $2,100 Annual Out-of-Pocket Cap
Once you hit this cap, Part D covers the rest of your covered drug costs for the year.
Part D Coverage Gap Calculator →Your State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP)
If your state has an active SPAP, it may provide additional help alongside Medicare.
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Finder →This tool intentionally avoids stating specific current dollar copay amounts, specific income thresholds, or specific manufacturer program names with confidence, since these change frequently and are commonly misreported online. Always check the manufacturer's own official program page for exact, current terms.
Manufacturer copay cards and Patient Assistance Programs get confused constantly, but they're legally and practically different. Copay cards reduce what you pay at the pharmacy counter, and federal law specifically prohibits Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and VA beneficiaries from using them, since the government considers this a financial inducement that could steer patients toward higher-cost brand-name drugs at taxpayer expense. Nearly every major manufacturer's copay card explicitly excludes federal health program beneficiaries in its terms, this isn't one company's policy, it's the law. Patient Assistance Programs work completely differently. Instead of reducing a pharmacy copay, they provide medication directly, often shipped to you or your doctor, entirely separate from any insurance billing. Because of that structure, PAPs generally ARE available to Medicare beneficiaries, usually based on income, commonly somewhere in the range of 200 to 400% of the federal poverty level, though this varies by manufacturer and drug. If a search result promises a flat low copay for a specific brand-name drug, check carefully whether it's actually a PAP or a copay card in disguise, since the terminology online is often used loosely, and the specific eligibility rules change often enough that checking the manufacturer's own current page is always worth doing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a manufacturer copay card like the Ozempic Savings Card with Medicare?
No. Federal law prohibits manufacturers from letting Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or VA beneficiaries use copay cards. This applies to essentially all major manufacturer copay card programs, not just one company's policy.
What is a Patient Assistance Program (PAP)?
A manufacturer-run program, separate from copay cards, that provides free or steeply discounted medication directly to patients with financial need, including Medicare beneficiaries. Most have an income limit.
Why can't Medicare beneficiaries use copay cards?
The federal Anti-Kickback Statute treats copay assistance for government-insured patients as an illegal inducement, since it removes the patient's incentive to choose lower-cost alternatives, which can increase overall program costs.
How do I find the Patient Assistance Program for my specific medication?
Search for the manufacturer's official website and look specifically for "Patient Assistance Program," not "copay card" or "savings card," since these are different programs with different eligibility.
What if I don't qualify for a Patient Assistance Program?
Check this site's Extra Help Eligibility Calculator and Part D True Out-of-Pocket Calculator, both legitimate ways to lower Medicare prescription costs regardless of manufacturer programs.
Is it illegal for ME to use a copay card if I have Medicare?
Using it would violate the terms of the program and the underlying federal law; manufacturers build verification into their systems specifically to prevent this, and it's not a workaround worth pursuing.
This tool provides general information about the legal distinction between manufacturer copay cards and Patient Assistance Programs and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Specific program names, income limits, and terms vary by manufacturer and change frequently. Always verify current terms directly on the manufacturer's official Patient Assistance Program page before applying.