Prescription Savings Finder
If you have Medicare, manufacturer copay cards cannot be used, but Patient Assistance Programs can. See which savings options apply to you.
If you have Medicare, you cannot use manufacturer copay cards, such as offers of "$25 Ozempic" or "$10 Eliquis." Federal law does not allow it. What you can use: manufacturer Patient Assistance Programs, which are based on income and are different from copay cards, Extra Help, and the Part D out-of-pocket cap of $2,100 in 2026.
Much prescription savings advice does not apply to people on Medicare, and often does not say so. This tool separates what works with Medicare from what works only with commercial insurance.
Check Your Real Savings Options
Federal law does not allow you to use manufacturer copay cards. These options are available to you:
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.
| Option | Usable with Medicare? | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer copay card | No | Lowers the copay at the pharmacy for people with commercial insurance |
| Patient Assistance Program (PAP) | Usually yes | The manufacturer supplies the drug free or at low cost, based on income |
| Extra Help | Yes | Federal program that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays |
| Part D out-of-pocket cap | Yes, automatic | $0 for covered drugs after $2,100 of out-of-pocket costs in 2026 ($2,400 in 2027) |
| Pharmacy discount card | In place of your plan, not with it | You pay the card's price and the purchase does not count toward your Part D deductible or cap |
Why copay cards are off limits. A copay card lowers what you pay at the counter. Federal law bars people covered by Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE or VA benefits from using them, because the government treats them as an inducement that steers patients toward more expensive brand-name drugs at public cost. Almost every manufacturer's card excludes people in federal health programs in its terms.
How Patient Assistance Programs differ. A PAP supplies the medication itself, often shipped to you or your doctor, outside insurance billing. For that reason PAPs are generally open to people on Medicare. Most have an income limit, commonly between 200% and 400% of the federal poverty level, and the limit differs by manufacturer and drug. Some ask you to show that you have applied for Extra Help first, or that you have spent a set share of your income on prescriptions.
How to apply to a PAP.
- Go to the manufacturer's own website and look for "Patient Assistance Program." A "copay card" or "savings card" is a different thing.
- Download the application. Your doctor usually has to complete and sign part of it.
- Attach proof of income and your Medicare and Part D information.
- Reapply each year. Most programs approve one year at a time.
If an offer promises a low flat copay for a brand-name drug, check whether it is a PAP or a copay card. The terms are used loosely online, and the rules change often.
Also check the Extra Help calculator, your state's pharmaceutical assistance program, and the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan for spreading costs over the year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a manufacturer copay card like the Ozempic Savings Card with Medicare?
No. Federal law does not allow people with Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE or VA coverage to use manufacturer copay cards. This applies to essentially all such cards.
What is a Patient Assistance Program (PAP)?
It is a program run by a drug manufacturer, separate from copay cards, that provides medication free or at a steep discount to patients with financial need, including people on Medicare. Most have an income limit.
Why can't Medicare beneficiaries use copay cards?
The federal Anti-Kickback Statute treats copay assistance for patients in government programs as an illegal inducement. It removes the patient's reason to choose a lower-cost drug, which can raise the program's costs.
How do I find the Patient Assistance Program for my specific medication?
Go to the manufacturer's official website and look for "Patient Assistance Program." Do not use the "copay card" or "savings card" page, which is a different program with different rules.
What if I don't qualify for a Patient Assistance Program?
Check our Extra Help Eligibility Calculator and Part D Out-of-Pocket Calculator. Both cover ways to lower Medicare prescription costs that do not depend on a manufacturer program.
Is it illegal for ME to use a copay card if I have Medicare?
Using one would break the card's terms and the federal law behind them. Manufacturers and pharmacies check for Medicare coverage to prevent it, so do not try.
This tool gives general information about the legal difference between manufacturer copay cards and Patient Assistance Programs. It is not legal or medical advice. Program names, income limits and terms differ by manufacturer and change often. Check the current terms on the manufacturer's Patient Assistance Program page before you apply.