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 drug manufacturer itself may offer a savings program that cuts your out-of-pocket cost by 70% to 85%. These programs aren’t charity-they’re business tools-but for you, they’re a lifeline.

What Are Manufacturer Savings Programs?

Manufacturer savings programs are financial assistance tools created by pharmaceutical companies to help patients pay for brand-name drugs. The two most common types are copay cards and patient assistance programs (PAPs). Copay cards work like coupons: you sign up online, get a digital or physical card, and use it at the pharmacy to reduce your immediate cost. PAPs are often for people with very low income, but many copay programs are open to anyone with private insurance.

These programs exploded in the 2000s as insurance plans started shifting more costs to patients. Today, nearly one in five prescriptions for privately insured patients uses a manufacturer coupon. In some areas-like diabetes, asthma, and blood clot treatments-more than one-third of all brand prescriptions rely on these discounts.

Who Can Use These Programs?

You’re eligible if you have private health insurance. That means coverage from an employer, a plan bought on the marketplace, or a private insurer like Blue Cross or UnitedHealthcare. If you’re on Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federal program, you’re not eligible. This is by law. The federal anti-kickback statute blocks drug makers from giving discounts to people on government plans because it could push them toward more expensive brand drugs instead of cheaper generics.

Even if you have private insurance, not all plans work with every program. Some insurance companies use what’s called an accumulator adjustment program. This means the manufacturer discount doesn’t count toward your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. So you pay less today, but you still have to hit your full deductible later. Check your plan documents or call your insurer to find out if they use accumulators.

How to Find Your Drug’s Savings Program

Start with the drug’s manufacturer. Go to their official website and search for “patient assistance” or “savings program.” Most big brands-like Humira, Jardiance, Ozempic, or Advair-have a dedicated page for this. If you’re not sure who makes your drug, look at the label or ask your pharmacist.

Alternatively, use a trusted aggregator like GoodRx or Patient Access Network Foundation. These sites let you enter your drug name and instantly show you available savings options, including manufacturer programs and pharmacy discount cards. A 2022 review found that 73% of major drug makers have their own savings portal online.

How to Sign Up and Use the Program

Signing up is quick and usually free:

1. Visit the manufacturer’s savings program website.
2. Fill out a short form with your name, date of birth, insurance info, and prescription details.
3. Upload a copy of your insurance card and prescription (some sites do this automatically through your pharmacy).
4. Get approved-most decisions are instant.
5. Receive a digital card via email or text, or a physical card in the mail.

When you go to pick up your prescription, give the pharmacy your savings card along with your insurance card. The pharmacy’s system connects to a third-party administrator (like ConnectiveRx or Prime Therapeutics), which applies the discount right at checkout. You pay only your reduced copay. The manufacturer pays the rest.

Some programs require you to reapply every year. Others last 12 to 24 months. Keep track of expiration dates-some patients get hit with a surprise $1,200 bill when their coupon suddenly ends.

What You Can Save

The savings are real. A 2022 study in the Journal of Managed Care & Pharmacy found copay cards cut patient costs by nearly 85%. For example:

• A diabetes patient on Jardiance paid $562.50 a month before the coupon. After using the manufacturer’s card, they paid $100.
• Someone on Humira dropped from $4,500 a month to $150 with the savings program.

Most programs cap annual savings between $5,000 and $15,000 per person. That’s a huge difference if you’re on a high-cost drug all year. For many, it’s the only way they can afford their medication.

What You Can’t Do

These programs have limits:

• No Medicare/Medicaid: Federal law blocks these discounts for government program enrollees.
• Accumulator programs: Your discount might not count toward your deductible. You still owe the full amount later.
• Not for generics: These programs only work for brand-name drugs. If a generic is available, the coupon won’t apply.
• Not always available: Programs can end without warning. Companies change pricing, or new generics enter the market.

Some patients report their programs were canceled after just a few months. Others found out too late that their insurer didn’t accept the card. Always confirm with your pharmacist before filling your prescription.

Manufacturer Savings vs. Pharmacy Discount Cards

You might see ads for GoodRx, SingleCare, or RxSaver. These are different. Pharmacy discount cards are not tied to manufacturers. They work for both brand and generic drugs and typically save you 30% to 60%. But they’re not as deep as manufacturer coupons.

Here’s the key difference:

Comparison of Manufacturer Savings Programs and Pharmacy Discount Cards

Feature	Manufacturer Savings Program	Pharmacy Discount Card (e.g., GoodRx)
Works for brand drugs?	Yes	Yes
Works for generics?	No	Yes
Typical savings	70%-85%	30%-60%
Eligibility	Private insurance only	Anyone, no insurance needed
Counts toward deductible?	Usually not (if accumulator program)	No
Expiration	Often 12-24 months	No expiration

If you’re eligible, use the manufacturer program first-it saves more. If you’re not eligible, or if your program ends, switch to a discount card.

Real Problems People Face

It’s not always smooth. A 2023 survey found that 65% of patients need help from their pharmacist just to sign up. Why? The rules vary wildly by drug and manufacturer. Some require income verification. Others ask for your doctor’s signature. Some only work with certain pharmacies.

Accumulator programs are the biggest hidden trap. If your insurance blocks the discount from counting toward your deductible, you’re paying less now-but you’ll still owe thousands before your insurance fully kicks in. Ask your insurer: “Do you have an accumulator program?” If they say yes, ask if they’ll waive it for your specific drug.

Also, programs can disappear. When Humira’s coupon ended in 2022, some patients went from paying $150 a month to $1,200 overnight. That’s why it’s smart to check for generic alternatives or talk to your doctor about switching if your drug is about to lose its coupon.

What’s Changing in 2025?

The landscape is shifting. The Inflation Reduction Act capped insulin costs at $35 for Medicare patients-cutting the need for coupons for many. Some states have passed laws forcing insurers to count manufacturer discounts toward deductibles. As of 2025, 32 states have such rules.

But big changes are still coming. The 2023 Fair Deal for Patients Act, currently under review, would require all insurance plans to count manufacturer savings toward deductibles. If it passes, the whole system could change. Drug makers might reduce their coupons, or insurers might raise prices to compensate.

The FDA also issued new guidance in 2023 telling manufacturers to clearly state the limitations of their coupons-no more hiding the fine print.

What You Should Do Now

1. Check if your drug has a manufacturer program-visit the drug maker’s website or use GoodRx.

2. Confirm you have private insurance-no Medicare, Medicaid, or VA.

3. Ask your insurer: “Do you use accumulator adjustment programs?”

4. Sign up early-don’t wait until your last refill.

5. Save your card-take a screenshot or print it.

6. Set a reminder-check expiration dates every 6 months.

7. Talk to your pharmacist-they know which programs work with your plan.

If you’re paying over $200 a month for a brand drug, this could save you thousands. Don’t assume you can’t afford it. The discount is there-you just have to claim it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Next Steps

If you’re paying more than $150 a month for a brand drug, take 10 minutes today to check if a manufacturer savings program exists for it. Search the drug name + “copay assistance” or go to GoodRx. If you find one, sign up. Keep the card handy. Set a reminder for renewal. Talk to your pharmacist if you’re unsure. These programs aren’t perfect, but for millions of people, they’re the only reason they can afford their medicine.