4 Ways to Use the CareCredit Credit Card for Pharmacy Expenses

When it comes to managing your healthcare expenses, financial flexibility can be a welcome relief. Whether filling a prescription, purchasing over-the-counter medications or investing in wellness products, your local pharmacy can be a vital part of your healthcare journey.

Read on to learn more about using CareCredit at pharmacies in the CareCredit network on purchases such as prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, health and wellness services and other pharmacy-related healthcare expenses to help make your health and wellness more accessible. Your CareCredit credit card is accepted at Walgreens, Rite-Aid, Sam's Club and Walmart pharmacies.

1. Prescription Medications

One of the ways you can use your CareCredit credit card at in-network pharmacy locations is to pay for prescription medications, which can comprise a significant portion of your overall healthcare costs. Recent research suggests that, adjusted for inflation, retail prescription drug spending per capita in the U.S. has increased dramatically over the years, from $101 in 1960 to $1,147 in 2021.¹

The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for prescription refills, extensions and generic substitutions. Be sure to ask your pharmacy if they accept CareCredit.

2. Over-the-Counter Products

You can also use CareCredit for over-the-counter (OTC) medications and various health and wellness products. Some of these items include:

• Vitamins and supplements
• Digestive health
• Heart health
• Cough, cold and flu medication
• Nausea medication
• Allergy and sinus medication
• Pain and fever relief
• Ear and eye care
• Foot care
• Oral care
• First aid
• Family planning
• Home test kits
• Sleep and snoring aids
• Diet and weight-loss aids

CareCredit can be particularly helpful in managing expenses for everyday health wants and needs and wellness products that might not be covered by health insurance.

3. Health and Wellness Services

Some pharmacies offer health and wellness services beyond providing prescription medications, such as vaccinations — flu and COVID-19 shots, for example — and other immunizations.

Other services can include preventive health screenings that may help identify whether you have a higher chance of contracting certain conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure.

Some pharmacies may also provide medication therapy management (MTM). MTM is a range of services provided by a pharmacist to help patients get the most from their medications, and to detect and prevent medication problems.²

MTM generally consists of one-on-one sessions with your pharmacist and can include aspects of consultation, education and collaboration. For example, your pharmacist will review all of your prescribed and over-the-counter medications and offer in-depth advice to you and any family members or caregivers on their correct use. They may identify medication problems like duplication or unnecessary medications, and collaborate with your healthcare providers to assure an optimal medication treatment plan for your condition.²

Research shows that patients who take an active role in managing their care by working closely with a pharmacist trained in MTM may see better results in their overall health outcomes.³

4. Pharmacy-Related Healthcare Expenses

CareCredit can help with other pharmacy-related healthcare expenses, ranging from durable medical equipment to everyday self-care products. Examples of durable medical equipment include items like eyeglasses and contact lenses; hearing aids; mobility aids like a walker, cane or crutches; glucose meters; or orthotics. Other care products include bath and body items, hair care, shaving and grooming accessories or teeth whitening kits.

Whether you fill a prescription, purchase OTC medications, invest in health and wellness products or access a range of healthcare services, the CareCredit credit card can help provide financial flexibility at enrolled retail and pharmacy locations to help simplify your health expenses and prioritize you and your family's well-being.

Which Pharmacies Accept CareCredit?

The CareCredit pharmacy network includes nationwide locations, making it easy and convenient to pay for pharmaceutical and health-related products and services. Our pharmacy partners include:

Duane Reade

Use your CareCredit credit card at all Duane Reade locations in the New York area for health and wellness wants and needs, from prescriptions to personal care items.

Walgreens

CareCredit is accepted at all 9,000 Walgreens locations nationwide for prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, cosmetics and more.

Walmart

Walmart locations nationwide accept the CareCredit credit card in-store to purchase select health, wellness and personal care items, including pharmacy prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, hearing aids, vision needs, personal care items and baby essentials.

Sam's Club

CareCredit is accepted at Sam's Club stores nationwide in-club to purchase select health, wellness and personal care items, including pharmacy prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, hearing aids, vision needs, personal care items, baby essentials and membership fees.

Rite Aid

Rite Aid accepts CareCredit in all their locations nationwide for purchases that include prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, cosmetics and more.

GoodRx

As a CareCredit card holder, you can enjoy a 20% discount when you enroll in GoodRx Gold membership. To learn more visit our page about GoodRx.

Managing Health and Wellness Costs With the CareCredit Credit Card

If you are looking for an option to help manage your health and wellness costs, consider financing with the CareCredit credit card. The CareCredit credit card can help you pay for the care you want and need and make payments easy to manage.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a provider or pharmacy near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

Your CareCredit credit card can be used in so many ways within the CareCredit network including vision, dentistry, cosmetic, pet care, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases and spa treatments. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Anne-Marie Kennedy is a freelance writer with more than 20 years of experience covering health and wellness, personal finance and real estate/investing.