As one of the largest membership warehouse clubs in the United States, Costco is known for offering a wide variety of products and services at discounted prices for its members. This includes operating full-service pharmacies at many of its locations nationwide. In addition to in-store pickup, Costco also offers a convenient prescription delivery service for members to receive their medications by mail.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll cover everything you need to know about getting your Costco prescriptions delivered, including how the service works, delivery options and costs, and the benefits compared to other pharmacies. Plus, we‘ll take a broader look at Costco‘s pharmacy offerings and why it‘s a great option for many consumers looking to save on their prescription drug costs.
How Does Costco‘s Prescription Delivery Service Work?
Ordering your Costco prescriptions for mail delivery is a simple process, but there are a few requirements. First, you must have an active Costco membership. If you‘re not already a member, you‘ll need to sign up for a Costco membership before you can use the pharmacy or delivery service. Membership starts at $60 per year for Gold Star and Business levels.
There are two main ways to order prescriptions for delivery from Costco:
- Order online through your Costco.com account
- Use the mail-in order form
To order online, log into your Costco.com account and locate the "Pharmacy" section. From there you can manage and refill prescriptions, set up new prescriptions for delivery, and track your order status. You‘ll need to input your prescription details, health insurance information, and preferred delivery address.
If you prefer to order by mail, you can download and print the Costco Mail Order Form. Fill out the required patient and prescription information, then mail the completed form to the address provided along with your paper prescriptions.
Allow 1-2 business days for Costco to process your prescription order once they receive it. Before shipping your medication, a Costco pharmacist will review the prescription for accuracy, check for any potential drug interactions, and may contact you or your doctor if needed.
Costco Prescription Delivery Options and Costs
Once your prescription order is processed and ready to ship, Costco offers a few different delivery methods with standard or expedited speeds:
Standard USPS First Class Mail (6-14 days)
- Free for Costco members
- No extra delivery costs, but prescription copay/cost may still apply
- Includes orders for temperature-controlled/refrigerated medications
3-Day USPS Priority Mail ($10.95)
- Faster 3 business day delivery
- Additional $10.95 charge on top of prescription cost
- Only available for non-refrigerated medications
2-Day UPS ($13.95)
- Expedited 2 business day delivery
- Additional $13.95 fee added to order total
- Also limited to non-refrigerated items only
Costco processes and ships prescription orders Monday through Friday. Refrigerated medications are only shipped Monday through Thursday via Standard USPS to avoid sitting unrefrigerated over the weekend.
It‘s important to note that these shipping speeds are estimated and not guaranteed by Costco. The free 6-14 day option in particular can vary quite a bit depending on your location, demand, and other factors. If you need your medication quickly, it‘s best to choose one of the expedited options for an added cost.
Costco Prescription Delivery Through Instacart
In addition to Costco‘s direct mail-order service, members in some areas can also get their prescriptions delivered through Instacart. This popular grocery delivery app partners with Costco and other local retailers to bring a variety of items, now including prescription drugs, straight to customers‘ doors.
To order Costco prescriptions with Instacart, you must be within the delivery radius of a participating Costco pharmacy. Start by creating an Instacart account and entering your address to see if the service is available near you.
If prescription delivery from Costco is an option, you can add your medications to your Instacart order for fulfillment by a personal shopper. You‘ll need to provide your prescription details and answer any necessary checkout questions.
Your Instacart shopper will then work with the Costco pharmacy to fill your prescription order and deliver it alongside any other grocery items in your cart. Delivery fees vary by location and demand, but typically start at $3.99 for same-day orders over $35.
Ordering Costco prescriptions with Instacart can be a good choice if you need your medicine quickly and also want to add on grocery, household, or other health items to your delivery. However, Costco‘s free standard shipping directly through their own pharmacy will usually be the most cost-effective option, especially for recurring prescriptions.
How Costco‘s Prescription Delivery Compares to Other Pharmacies
Costco is far from the only pharmacy that offers prescription delivery these days. Mail-order prescription services are now very common across major drugstore chains, supermarkets, and online pharmacies. Let‘s see how Costco stacks up to some of its biggest competitors.
Walmart Pharmacy
- Offers free standard shipping (5-7 days)
- Expedited shipping available for $8 fee
- Can manage prescriptions through website or mobile app
- Accepts most major insurance plans
- Also offers auto-refills and 90-day prescriptions
CVS Pharmacy
- Free 1-2 day shipping on eligible prescriptions
- Faster options like same-day available in some areas for added cost
- Easy online and mobile prescription management
- Works with many insurance providers
- Includes special discounts for CVS ExtraCare members
Walgreens Pharmacy
- Provides free standard shipping (5-10 days)
- Faster shipping speeds available at extra cost
- Manage prescriptions through app/website with refill reminders
- Accepts majority of insurance plans
- Offers 90-day refills and pill organizers on request
Amazon Pharmacy
- Free 2-day delivery for Prime members
- 5 monthly subscriptions with 80% savings for Prime subscribers
- Integrated prescription management and reminder tools
- Works with most insurance, also offers savings for those without
- Can use HSA/FSA funds to purchase prescriptions
As you can see, Costco‘s prescription delivery service is very comparable to other major pharmacies in terms of free standard shipping speeds and online prescription management. Where Costco really stands out from the pack is its rock-bottom drug prices and superior customer service reputation.
The Benefits of Getting Your Prescriptions Delivered by Costco
There are many good reasons to consider using Costco‘s prescription delivery service for your medications:
1. Access Members-Only Drug Prices
Arguably the biggest benefit of filling your prescriptions at Costco is the wholesale pricing available exclusively for members. Costco consistently ranks as the cheapest pharmacy for many prescription drugs thanks to its ability to keep margins low and pass on savings to members. Getting your prescriptions delivered lets you access these unbeatable prices without needing to visit the store.
2. Convenience of Recurring Deliveries
Having your prescriptions delivered by mail is simply more convenient than picking them up yourself each month. This is especially true if you take multiple maintenance medications and are able to get 90-day supplies to reduce the frequency of refills. With Costco‘s auto-refill option, your prescriptions can be automatically processed and shipped to you on a recurring basis for a seamless experience.
3. Avoid Crowds and Lines
Even with all the precautions in place, visiting a pharmacy in person still comes with potential COVID-19 exposure risks. Having your prescriptions mailed allows you to avoid crowds and long lines at the pharmacy counter. This is a major advantage for higher-risk individuals like seniors and those with underlying health conditions.
4. Maintain Privacy
For some people, discretion is an important factor when getting prescriptions. Having your medications delivered in nondescript packaging helps maintain privacy around your health information. You don‘t have to worry about running into anyone you know while picking up a sensitive prescription.
5. Get Specialized Pharmacy Advice
Although you won‘t be face-to-face, using Costco‘s mail-order pharmacy still gives you access to expert advice from licensed pharmacists. You can contact them by phone to ask any questions you may have about your prescription, potential side effects and interactions, or other treatment concerns. Costco pharmacists are consistently ranked among the most trusted and highest-rated by customers.
Transferring Prescriptions to the Costco Pharmacy
If you‘re interested in switching to Costco to take advantage of their delivery service and low drug prices, transferring your prescriptions from another pharmacy is easy.
First, locate your current prescription label which contains important details like your name, medication name and strength, quantity, prescription number, pharmacy name, and prescriber name. You‘ll need this information to initiate the transfer request with Costco.
There are a few ways to start the transfer process:
- Call the Costco pharmacy directly and provide your prescription information
- Bring your prescription label or bottle to the Costco pharmacy in person
- Ask your current pharmacy to transfer your prescriptions to Costco
- Have your doctor send your prescription directly to the Costco pharmacy
Once Costco has your prescription information, they will work with your current pharmacy and/or doctor to complete the transfer. You will be notified when your prescription is ready to be filled at Costco. At this point, you can choose to have the medication delivered by mail or pick it up at your local Costco pharmacy.
Note that certain prescriptions like controlled substances may have additional restrictions around transfers. In this case, you will likely need a new prescription sent directly from your doctor to the Costco pharmacy. It‘s a good idea to check with both your current pharmacy and Costco to understand if there are any special transfer requirements for your specific medications.
Other Pharmacy Services and Benefits at Costco
Beyond the convenience of home delivery, the Costco pharmacy provides a number of valuable services and benefits for members:
Generic Drug Program
- Offers commonly prescribed generic medications at steeply discounted prices
- Includes $7.50 pricing on hundreds of generics for 30-day supplies
- Often beats co-pays, helpful for those with high deductible plans or no insurance
Immunizations and Vaccines
- Provides routine immunizations for adults including flu, shingles, pneumonia, and more
- Also offers travel vaccines for common illnesses like hepatitis and typhoid
- No appointments needed, available on a walk-in basis at most locations
- Often more affordable than getting vaccines at a doctor‘s office or travel clinic
Health Screenings and Monitoring
- Basic health screenings like blood pressure, BMI, and cholesterol available at many pharmacies
- Glucose screenings and diabetic supplies for those with diabetes
- Drug nutrient depletion screenings to check for medication-induced deficiencies
- Smoking cessation and weight loss programs also offered
Medicare and Specialty Drug Services
- Accepts most Medicare Part D plans for prescription drugs
- Also works with many Medicare Advantage plans with drug coverage
- Fills specialty drugs that are typically high-cost injectables or biologics
- Employs pharmacists with extra training to handle specialty medications
Pet Medications
- Offers a variety of prescription and over-the-counter pet medications
- Includes specialty pet meds like insulin, allergy shots, and parasite preventatives
- Can fill pet prescriptions written by any licensed veterinarian
- Typically cheaper than buying pet meds from the vet directly
Mail Order Pharmacy
- The online mail-order pharmacy offers most drugs available in stores for delivery
- Get 90-day supplies of prescriptions delivered to save money and reduce refill frequency
- Auto refill options available for greater convenience with maintenance medications
- Shipping is free for members, 2-day and 3-day options available for an added cost
Depending on your health insurance plan and coverage, using the Costco pharmacy for prescriptions and vaccines can translate to major savings compared to other pharmacies or doctors‘ offices.
Plus, as a Costco member, you‘ll have access to discounted prices on a variety of health and wellness items like vitamins, supplements, nutrition products, and fitness equipment.
The Costco pharmacy accepts most insurance plans, so there‘s a good chance you can use your current coverage there. Be sure to have your insurance card handy when filling a prescription in-store or online for delivery so they can run it properly and determine your final cost.
Conclusion
As you can see, Costco provides a comprehensive and cost-effective pharmacy solution for its members, including a robust prescription delivery service. If you‘re looking for a way to save money on your medications while enjoying the convenience of recurring mail delivery, switching to the Costco pharmacy is definitely worth considering.
Costco‘s reputation for rock-bottom prescription drug prices, wide range of pharmacy services, and exceptional customer service make it a smart choice for health-conscious consumers. And with free standard shipping for prescription delivery orders, you can access members-only pricing without even needing to visit your local Costco store.
On top of prescription savings and delivery perks, using the Costco pharmacy also gives you access to low-cost immunizations, specialty drug services, and even pet medications. It‘s a great way to get more value from your annual Costco membership across many areas of your family‘s health.
Transferring your prescriptions to Costco is simple and can be done online, over the phone, or in-person at your nearest Costco pharmacy. Just be sure to have your prescription details and insurance card ready so they can initiate the transfer and determine your costs.
For many, getting prescription delivery from Costco has provided major convenience and peace of mind, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. It‘s comforting to know you can have your essential medications delivered safely to your door while minimizing potential exposure risks.
If you have any questions about Costco‘s prescription delivery service or pharmacy offerings, visit costco.com/pharmacy or speak with a pharmacist directly by calling your local Costco pharmacy. They‘ll be happy to walk you through the process and help you determine if it‘s the right choice for your individual needs.
