Prescription drug expenses continue to rise year after year, and for many employers in Arkansas, pharmacy claims are one of the biggest cost drivers in their employee health plans. Employees also feel the pinch directly, with higher copays and out-of-pocket costs.
The good news is that there are many strategies employees can use to save money on prescriptions, both with and without a health plan. As an employer or HR manager, understanding these options can improve your team’s overall benefits experience, reduce financial stress for employees, and even lower claims costs for your company’s health plan.
Below are some of the most effective prescription drug savings strategies that can make a big difference.
1. Prescription Discount Programs & Apps
Not all prescriptions are required to go through insurance. Sometimes, a simple discount program provides the lowest price.
- GoodRx – Compares pharmacy prices, offers coupons, and can often beat insurance copays.
- SingleCare – Works similarly to GoodRx with competitive savings at major retail pharmacies.
- ScriptSave WellRx – Offers cards and an app to help employees find the lowest cash price nearby.
2. Drug Manufacturer Savings & Assistance Programs
For brand-name medications, manufacturers often provide direct savings programs:
- Copay Assistance Cards – Reduce copays when prescriptions are filled with insurance.
- Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) – Offer free or discounted drugs for patients who qualify based on income.
- Manufacturer Websites – Employees should check the official site of their prescription drug to see if a savings card or PAP is offered.
3. Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company
A newer, fast-growing option for affordable medications. Cost Plus Drug Company sells prescriptions at their actual cost plus a small transparent markup, often resulting in major savings compared to both retail pricing and insurance copays.
4. Retail Pharmacy Savings Programs
Large retailers often offer lower-cost prescriptions without insurance:
- Walmart’s $4 List – Hundreds of generic medications for as little as $4.
- Costco and Sam’s Club – Competitive pricing and discount programs on low cost generics; Costco pharmacy does not require membership.
- Kroger and Target – Offer discount drug programs for commonly used medications.
5. Mail-Order & Online Pharmacies
Convenience and cost savings often go hand in hand:
- Health Plan Mail Order – Many insurance carriers provide 90-day supplies at reduced rates.
- Amazon Pharmacy – Transparent cash pricing and free home delivery.
- Blink Health – Online platform that negotiates lower cash prices on many medication and offers discounted prescriptions shipped to your door.
6. Generics and Therapeutic Alternatives
Encouraging employees to ask their doctors about generic options or therapeutic equivalents is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Generics can save hundreds of dollars per year and are just as safe and effective as brand-name versions.
7. Split-Dosing (When Safe and Approved by a Doctor)
Sometimes a higher-dose pill costs the same as a lower dose. ONLY With physician approval, some higher dose pills can be safely split to provide the correct dosage at a lower cost.
8. State and Nonprofit Assistance Programs
Arkansas employees may also benefit from community and nonprofit resources:
- Arkansas Drug Card – A free statewide prescription assistance program provides residents with prescription discount cards at many pharmacies.
- NeedyMeds.org – National nonprofit that connects patients with low-cost and free prescription programs.
9. Employer-Sponsored Pharmacy Programs
Some companies take savings a step further by adding:
- Rx advocacy programs that shop for the best prescription prices on behalf of employees.
- Copay maximizer programs that align high-cost brand medications with manufacturer savings support.
10. Advanced Savings for Self-Funded Employer Health Plans
Employers who sponsor self-funded health plans have even greater flexibility to lower pharmacy costs. Two emerging strategies include:
- International Drug Sourcing – Certain specialty and high-cost brand medications can be purchased safely through licensed international pharmacies at a fraction of U.S. retail prices, often saving 40–60% per prescription.
- Consumer Advocacy Programs – Advocacy teams from the self funded TPA or PBM work directly with employees to find the lowest-cost medication source, handle manufacturer program enrollment, and negotiate alternatives—helping both the employee and the employer save.
- Pass Through Rebates – Many pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) pass through rebates received from drug manufacturers back to the employer they serve. These savings can then be shared with employees or used to reduce overall plan costs, providing additional financial relief without changing coverage.
For Arkansas employers with self-funded arrangements, these strategies can result in significant long-term savings while still ensuring employees have access to the medications they need.
Why Prescription Drug Savings Matter for Employers
When employees use strategies like telemedicine, generics, or discount programs, it doesn’t just help their wallet it also reduces claims costs on the employer’s health plan. Over time, this helps employers maintain more affordable premiums, better renewals, and stronger benefits packages.
Final Thoughts
Prescription drug savings don’t have to be complicated. By combining the right tools, discount apps, manufacturer programs, online pharmacies, and employer-sponsored solutions, employees can keep more money in their pockets, and employers can better manage long-term benefit costs.
Want to help your employees save more on prescriptions while strengthening your overall benefits strategy? Contact our agency today to speak with an employee benefits expert right here in Arkansas.