How to Use Manufacturer Savings Programs for Brand Drugs to Lower Prescription Costs

Brand-name drugs can cost hundreds-even thousands-of dollars a month. If you’re insured but still struggling to afford your medication, you’re not alone. Many people don’t realize that the companies making these drugs often offer free or low-cost savings programs to help. These aren’t scams. They’re real, legal, and widely used. In fact, nearly one in five prescriptions for brand-name drugs in the U.S. use manufacturer assistance programs. But knowing how to use them-and what the traps are-can save you thousands.

What Are Manufacturer Savings Programs?

These are financial help programs run directly by drug companies like AbbVie, Eli Lilly, or Novo Nordisk. They come in two main forms: copay cards and patient assistance programs (PAPs). Copay cards are for people with private insurance. They cut your out-of-pocket cost at the pharmacy-sometimes from $500 to $10 a month. PAPs are for people with little or no income, or no insurance at all. They can give you the drug for free.

These programs started growing fast in the early 2000s as insurance plans began making patients pay more. By 2023, 98% of major brand-name drugs had some kind of savings offer. For example, a diabetes patient on Jardiance went from paying $562.50 a month down to $100 using the manufacturer’s coupon. That’s an 85% drop in cost.

Who Can Use These Programs?

You can only use manufacturer savings programs if you have private health insurance. If you’re on Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federal program, you’re not eligible. This is by law. The federal anti-kickback statute bans drugmakers from giving discounts to people on government plans because it could push them toward more expensive drugs instead of cheaper generics.

That means if you’re on Medicare Part D, you can’t use a copay card for your Humira or Ozempic-even if the manufacturer offers one. But if you have insurance through your employer, a spouse’s plan, or a private marketplace plan like those from Covered California or HealthCare.gov, you’re likely eligible.

How to Find and Enroll in a Program

Start with the drug’s manufacturer website. Search for the exact brand name of your medication, then look for “Savings,” “Assistance,” or “Patient Support.” Most companies have a dedicated page. For example, Novo Nordisk has a portal for Ozempic, and Eli Lilly has one for Trulicity.

You can also use free tools like GoodRx or NeedyMeds. These sites list manufacturer programs alongside pharmacy discount cards. But be careful: GoodRx cards work for both brand and generic drugs, while manufacturer programs only work for brand-name versions-and they usually save you more.

To enroll, you’ll need:

• Your full name and date of birth
• Your insurance card details
• Your doctor’s name and prescription number
• A valid email address

Once you submit the form, you’ll get a digital card or a unique code via email or text. Some programs send a physical card in the mail. You don’t need to wait for it-most pharmacies can process the discount right away if you give them your ID number.

How the Discount Works at the Pharmacy

When you show up to pick up your prescription, give your insurance card and your manufacturer savings code to the pharmacist. The pharmacy’s system sends both to a third-party administrator-like ConnectiveRx or Prime Therapeutics. That company checks if you’re eligible, applies the discount, and then bills the drugmaker for the rest.

The discount hits your pocket immediately. You pay less. The manufacturer pays the difference. It’s seamless. But here’s the catch: not all pharmacies participate. Chain pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid usually do. Independent pharmacies sometimes don’t. Always call ahead or check the manufacturer’s website for a list of participating locations.

What You Need to Watch Out For

These programs sound too good to be true-and sometimes they are. Here are the biggest traps:

1. Accumulator Adjustment Programs

Many insurance plans now use something called an “accumulator adjustment program.” That means the manufacturer’s discount doesn’t count toward your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. So even though you’re paying $50 a month, your insurance still treats you as if you paid the full $500. That means you’ll hit your deductible later-or never. By 2022, 87% of large employers had these programs in place.

Check your plan documents or call your insurer. Ask: “Does my plan allow manufacturer coupons to count toward my deductible?” If the answer is no, you’re getting a monthly discount but not moving closer to financial relief.

2. Program Expiration

Most copay cards last 12 to 24 months. After that, you have to reapply. Some companies auto-renew. Others don’t. If you forget, your bill could jump back up overnight. One Reddit user shared how their Humira coupon ended without warning-suddenly, their monthly cost went from $100 to $1,200.

Set a calendar reminder three months before your card expires. Call the manufacturer’s help line. Ask what you need to renew. Keep records.

3. Annual Caps

Manufacturers don’t pay unlimited amounts. Most programs cap their help at $5,000 to $15,000 per year. If your drug costs $600 a month and you use the full discount, you’ll hit that cap in 8 to 12 months. After that, you pay full price again. That’s why some people get hit with surprise bills mid-year.

Manufacturer Programs vs. Pharmacy Discount Cards

It’s easy to confuse manufacturer programs with discount cards like GoodRx or SingleCare. Here’s how they differ:

Comparison of Manufacturer Savings Programs and Pharmacy Discount Cards

Feature	Manufacturer Savings Programs	Pharmacy Discount Cards (e.g., GoodRx)
Works for	Brand-name drugs only	Brand and generic drugs
Typical savings	70-85% off	30-60% off
Eligibility	Private insurance only	No insurance needed
Counts toward deductible?	Usually not, if accumulator program exists	No, never
Expiration	12-24 months, often renewable	Never expires
Annual limit	Yes, $5K-$15K	No

Manufacturer programs save more-but only if you have insurance. Discount cards work for anyone, including those on Medicare, and can be used even if your insurance doesn’t cover the drug at all. If your drug has a generic version, always check GoodRx first. You might pay less without needing a coupon.

Real Stories: What Patients Say

People using these programs report big wins. One user on Drugs.com said their monthly cost for a biologic for rheumatoid arthritis dropped from $4,200 to $80. Another said their asthma inhaler went from $300 to $15.

But there are horror stories too. A 2022 survey found 42% of users had trouble because:

• Their insurance plan didn’t accept the card
• The program ended without notice
• Their pharmacy didn’t know how to process it

And 65% of patients needed help from their pharmacist just to sign up. That’s not your fault. These systems are complicated.

What’s Changing in 2025?

The rules are shifting. In 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act capped insulin costs at $35 for Medicare patients. That’s reducing the need for manufacturer coupons for insulin. More states are passing laws to ban accumulator programs. As of 2023, 32 states now require manufacturers’ discounts to count toward deductibles.

There’s also new federal pressure. The 2023 Fair Deal for Patients Act proposes forcing all manufacturer programs to count toward out-of-pocket limits. If it passes, it could change how these programs work-or even end them.

Drugmakers aren’t happy. They say these programs help patients. Critics say they keep brand-name drug prices high by reducing competition from cheaper generics. A 2016 study found coupons boosted brand sales by over 60%.

What You Should Do Now

If you’re paying a lot for a brand-name drug, here’s your action plan:

1. Check your insurance: Do you have private coverage? If yes, you might qualify.
2. Search the manufacturer’s website for your drug’s savings program.
3. Call your pharmacy and ask if they accept it.
4. Ask your insurer: “Do manufacturer coupons count toward my deductible?”
5. Enroll and save your login details.
6. Set a reminder: 90 days before your card expires, reapply.
7. Compare with GoodRx: Is the discount card cheaper?

Used right, these programs can cut your annual drug costs by $5,000 to $15,000. But don’t assume they’ll last. Stay informed. Stay proactive. And don’t be afraid to ask your pharmacist for help-they’ve seen it all before.