Medicare Recipients Can Now Use Amazon Pharmacy's RxPass
Amazon has changed its $5 RxPass prescription service to include Medicare beneficiaries.


For the many people who take recurring medications but find collecting them from the drugstore at best a chore and at worst a struggle, the rise of mail-order prescription services has been, quite simply, a lifesaver. And now, millions of Medicare users are being offered another service that can cut the cost and hassle of ordering meds: the RxPass from Amazon Pharmacy.
Launched a year ago, the RxPass is designed to provide lower-cost access to generic medicines that treat more than 80 common health conditions, including high blood pressure, anxiety and acid reflux. Subscribers can get as many eligible medications as they need, plus free home delivery and the ability to connect with a pharmacist 24/7, for a flat fee of $5 a month. Until recently, those with Medicare insurance plans were excluded from the service, but Amazon has now widened accessibility.
A Medicare beneficiary who takes at least one medication available through RxPass could save approximately $70 per year, and a beneficiary who takes two or more medications could save even more, Amazon said. And if all Medicare beneficiaries transitioned their eligible medications to RxPass, Medicare spending would be reduced by nearly $2 billion.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Amazon RxPass small print
While signing up to the scheme is straightforward using the Amazon Pharmacy website or app, you will need an Amazon Prime subscription to be eligible to join. This currently costs $14.99 per month/$139 per year.
RxPass isn’t currently available to send medications to California, Texas and Washington, although Amazon Pharmacy is available in all of those states. And those with state-funded insurance such as Medicaid and CHIP are not eligible. If your prescription medication needs change, you can cancel the service at any time.
Dr. Vin Gupta, chief medical officer of Amazon Pharmacy, said: “Many common health conditions can be well-managed through consistent use of medicine and healthy lifestyle choices. Expanding RxPass to Medicare beneficiaries can help solve affordability and access challenges among a patient population who experiences high levels of chronic disease.”
If you’re eligible to join, it’s worth considering whether you’d benefit from using the RxPass. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of traveling to the drugstore to collect your prescription — and the time you’ll save by not having to wait in line.
Related content
Get Kiplinger Today newsletter — free
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.
Charlotte comes to Kiplinger with more than two decades of experience in print and online journalism in the UK, with a focus on consumer rights, personal finance and law. She has worked for leading consumer rights organisation Which? and the UK government, and studied modern and medieval languages at the University of Cambridge.
-
U.S. Treasury to Eliminate Paper Checks: What It Means for Tax Refunds, Social Security
Treasury President Trump signed an executive order forcing the federal government to phase out paper check disbursements by the fall.
By Gabriella Cruz-Martínez Published
-
Bigger Social Security Checks Are Arriving in April
Payments to eligible retired public sector employees will increase starting in April due to the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA)..
By Donna LeValley Published
-
Bigger Social Security Checks Are Arriving in April
Payments to eligible retired public sector employees will increase starting in April due to the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA)..
By Donna LeValley Published
-
5 CDs to Put Your Tax Refund Into
Planning to get a tax refund this year? Treat your future self with a risk-free way to grow your money. Here are the 5 best CDs to consider.
By Sean Jackson Published
-
Seven Questions to Ask When Evaluating Personal Loan Options
Taking out a personal loan too hastily could lock you into unfavorable terms with an untrustworthy lender. Ask these questions before signing anything.
By David Kimball Published
-
Return to Your Home Country to Retire: Repatriation Retirement
They came to the U.S. to live and work, but they want to retire in the old country. Here's how to juggle the move back home.
By Alina Tugend Published
-
How Much Does Being Rich Matter in Retirement?
After a certain point, having more money in retirement won't make you any happier, new research shows. Instead, physical health, a sense of purpose, and a minimal amount of non-mortgage debt are more relevant.
By Christy Bieber Published
-
The Three Biggest Fears Keeping Retirees Up at Night
Here are the steps you can take to put those fears to rest and retire with confidence so you can relax and enjoy the life you've planned.
By Pam Krueger Published
-
What Can a Donor-Advised Fund Do for You? (A Lot)
DAFs and private foundations go about helping charities (and those who donate) in different ways. Each comes with its own benefits and restrictions to navigate.
By Julia Chu Published
-
Estate Planning When You Have International Assets
Estate planning gets tricky when you have assets and/or beneficiaries outside the U.S. To avoid costly inheritance mistakes, it pays to understand the basics.
By Kelsey M. Simasko, Esq. Published