Many people assume that because generic medications are cheaper, they don’t need help paying for them. But that’s not true. Even though generics cost 80-85% less than brand-name drugs, monthly copays for just three or four of them can still add up to $30, $50, or even more - and for people on fixed incomes, that’s a lot. If you’re taking levothyroxine, metformin, lisinopril, or other common generics, you’re not alone in struggling to afford them. The good news? There are ways to cut those costs, and you don’t need to be broke to qualify.
Why Generics Still Cost Too Much
Generic drugs are supposed to be affordable. They’re the same as brand-name versions in active ingredients, safety, and effectiveness. But the price you pay at the pharmacy isn’t always low. Insurance plans put generics in Tier 1, which usually means a $5-$10 copay. Sounds good, right? But if you’re taking five different generics, that’s $50 a month. For someone living paycheck to paycheck, that’s food or heat money.
And here’s the catch: most copay assistance programs - like the ones drugmakers offer for brand-name pills - don’t exist for generics. Why? Because generic manufacturers don’t make enough profit to give away discounts. So if you’re on Medicare, Medicaid, or even private insurance, you’re often left with no manufacturer coupons, no savings cards, and no safety net.
Medicare Extra Help: The Best Option for Seniors
If you’re on Medicare Part D and your income is low, you might qualify for Extra Help - also called the Low-Income Subsidy. This isn’t just a discount. It’s a full financial shield. Starting in 2025, Extra Help will cut your generic copay to exactly $4.90 per prescription. Brand-name drugs? $12.15. And if you’re enrolled, you won’t pay a deductible at all.
To qualify, your income must be below $21,870 for a single person or $29,580 for a couple in 2025. But you don’t have to apply directly. If you already get Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), or a Medicare Savings Program, you’re automatically enrolled. If not, you can apply through Social Security. The process takes 45-90 days, and you’ll need your tax return, bank statements, and proof of income. Don’t wait - even if you think you earn too much, check. Many people get approved who didn’t expect to.
Pharmacy Discount Programs: No Application Needed
If you’re not on Medicare or don’t qualify for Extra Help, pharmacy discount programs are your next best bet. These aren’t insurance. They’re cash prices. You pay the discounted rate directly, and it doesn’t count toward your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. But here’s the thing: they’re often cheaper than your insurance copay.
Walmart’s $4 generics list covers about 150 medications, including common ones like atorvastatin, metformin, and sertraline. Kroger, Target, and Publix have similar programs - sometimes $10 or $15 for a 30-day supply. Independent discount cards from SingleCare, GoodRx, or RxSaver work the same way. Just show the coupon at the pharmacy counter. No sign-up, no credit check, no waiting.
A 2024 survey found that 62% of pharmacists say patients don’t even ask for these discounts. They just pay the insurance price. That’s a mistake. Always ask: “Do you have a cash price lower than my copay?”
The Assistance Gap: Who Gets Left Out
The biggest problem isn’t the poor - it’s the near-poor. People who make just above Medicaid limits but still can’t afford rent, groceries, and medicine. If you earn $2,100 a month - $25,200 a year - you’re too rich for Extra Help but too poor to absorb $40 a month in drug costs. And there’s no program for you.
This is the “assistance cliff.” One dollar over the income limit, and you lose everything. In 2023, nonprofit NeedyMeds approved only 12% of applicants in this income range. Many of them skipped doses or split pills to make their meds last. A 2023 study in the
Annals of Internal Medicine found that 38% of people who couldn’t afford their generics didn’t take them at all.
The Inflation Reduction Act is changing this - but not for everyone. Starting January 1, 2025, Medicare Part D will cap out-of-pocket spending at $2,000 a year. That’s huge. If you’re taking five generics at $10 each, you’ll hit that cap in 40 months - not 83. And once you hit it, your drugs will be free for the rest of the year.
But here’s the catch: if you’re not on Medicare, this cap doesn’t help you. Commercial insurers don’t have to follow it. And if you’re on Medicaid, you’re already covered. So the real gap remains for those in the middle.
Nonprofit Help: Limited But Available
Some nonprofits do offer help for generic medications - but it’s narrow. The PAN Foundation, for example, has 72 assistance programs. Only 17 of them cover conditions that mostly use generics - like high blood pressure, diabetes, or hypothyroidism. You need a diagnosis, proof of income, and a prescription from your doctor. Processing takes about three weeks. Approval rates are 78% if your income is below 250% of the federal poverty level - about $37,150 for one person.
Other organizations like the Patient Access Network (PAN), HealthWell Foundation, and RxAssist also have programs. But each has its own rules. Some require you to be insured. Some won’t help if you’re on Medicare. Always read the fine print.
What You Can Do Right Now
Don’t wait for policy changes. Start now.
- Check your pharmacy’s cash price. Compare it to your insurance copay. Use GoodRx or SingleCare.
- Apply for Medicare Extra Help if you’re 65+ or disabled. Even if you think you make too much - apply anyway.
- Call your state’s SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program). They offer free counseling. In 2023, they handled over 1.2 million calls about generic drug costs.
- Ask your doctor if you can switch to a different generic. Sometimes one brand of metformin costs less than another, even though they’re the same drug.
- Don’t skip doses. Talk to your pharmacist about splitting pills or using a 90-day supply to save money.
What’s Changing in 2025
The biggest shift is the $2,000 out-of-pocket cap for Medicare Part D. That means if you’re on Medicare and take generics, your yearly drug spending will never go above $2,000. After that, your medications are free for the rest of the year. This will help millions.
Also, Pfizer and other big companies are starting to include some generics in their patient assistance programs - something they’ve never done before. It’s small, but it’s a sign that the system is finally waking up.
The real win? More pharmacists are being trained to suggest therapeutic interchange - swapping one generic for another that’s cheaper. That’s happening quietly, but it’s growing. By 2025, it could cut generic costs even further.
Final Thought: You’re Not Alone
You’re not failing if you can’t afford your meds. The system is broken - not you. Millions of Americans take generics and still struggle. But help exists. It’s just hidden. You have to look for it. And you have to ask.
Start with your pharmacy. Then call SHIP. Then apply for Extra Help. Don’t wait until you’re out of pills. The money is there. You just need to reach for it.
Can I use GoodRx with Medicare?
Yes, you can use GoodRx or other pharmacy discount cards with Medicare - but only if you choose to pay cash instead of using your Medicare Part D plan. The discount price will usually be lower than your copay. Just tell the pharmacist you want to use the cash price, not your insurance. Note: the amount you pay won’t count toward your Medicare deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.
Why don’t generic drug companies offer copay cards like brand-name ones?
Generic manufacturers operate on very thin profit margins - often less than 10% per pill. Brand-name companies make far more and use copay cards to keep patients loyal. Generic makers can’t afford to give away discounts without raising prices, which would defeat the purpose. So assistance comes from pharmacies, nonprofits, and government programs instead.
What if I make too much for Extra Help but still can’t afford my meds?
You’re in the “assistance gap.” Apply for nonprofit aid through PAN Foundation or NeedyMeds - some programs accept incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Also, always check pharmacy cash prices. Sometimes a $10 generic at Walmart is cheaper than your $15 insurance copay. And ask your doctor about switching to a lower-cost generic version.
Do copay assistance programs count toward my Medicare out-of-pocket maximum?
Only if the assistance comes from your Medicare plan or a government program like Extra Help. Manufacturer copay cards (which rarely exist for generics) and pharmacy discount cards (like GoodRx) do NOT count toward your $2,000 out-of-pocket cap in 2025. Only what you pay through your Part D plan counts.
Can I get help for insulin even if it’s a generic?
Yes. Starting January 1, 2025, all Medicare Part D plans must cap insulin at $2.00 per month - whether it’s brand-name or generic. This applies to all types of insulin, including the most common generic versions like NPH and regular insulin. You don’t need to apply - it’s automatic.
