The Top 6 Prescription Delivery Services
| Company |
Overall Score |
Overall Rank |
Coverage Score |
Ease of Access Score |
Reviews Score |
Transparency Score |
Beneficial Extras Score |
| PillPack |
6.4 |
1 |
8 |
5 |
6 |
7.5 |
5 |
| ExactCare |
6.2 |
2 |
7 |
7 |
5.4 |
7 |
3 |
| Accupac |
5.9 |
3 |
5 |
5.5 |
8.2 |
6 |
3 |
| DivvyDOSE |
5.8 |
5 |
5 |
6 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
| CVS SimpleDose |
5.7 |
4 |
7 |
8 |
3.6 |
5.5 |
2 |
| Simple Meds |
5.3 |
6 |
9 |
0 |
8 |
7 |
0 |
Did you know?
Prescription delivery services that presort pills can usually only fill 30-day supplies of medications. If you have a 90-day prescription length right now, your doctor can write you a new 30-day prescription. Note that 90-day prescriptions usually include a “bulk” discount, so expect your copay to rise slightly.
Pill Pack
PillPack ranked best overall of the companies we looked at, scoring a total of 6.4 out of a possible 10 points. This company ranked in first place in both Transparency and Beneficial Extras. Overall, this brand scored above average in all metrics except for Ease of Access, for which it earned just slightly below average score due to incomplete app offerings and the lack of a 24/7 phone line.
How PillPack Scored
Ranking in second place with 8/10 points for the coverage metric, PillPack is a very accessible choice for people in most locations and with most insurance plans. Serving both insured and uninsured customers, PillPack has a policy of helping patients find discounts whenever possible. Those in Hawaii cannot use this brand due to location restrictions, however. The only insurance plans that PillPack expressly does not serve are Medicaid plans in some states. Seniors should always ask about their particular insurance plan, since some other insurance exceptions may exist as well.
PillPack came in fifth place for this category with 5/10 points. Customers can access customer service and account details via the Apple app, the online login page on any web browser, or via the phone during normal business hours. Although it does not have a true 24/7 phone line, PillPack will return urgent after-hours calls. This company does not offer an Android app or any in-person service options, and it came in 5th place for its overall accessibility.
PillPack came in third place for reviews, tying with DivvyDOSE. Its average review across Google, the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Trustpilot was 3/5 stars. Overall, reviews were most positive on Google and least positive on Trustpilot. With over 540 different reviews on these three platforms, this company was the second-most frequently reviewed company in our rankings, topped only by the national chain CVS. Positive reviews mention convenience, while negative reviews tend to mention a difficult setup process.
PillPack’s score for Transparency was the best out of all of the companies we reviewed. Scoring 0.5 points higher than its nearest competitors, PillPack excels by offering a robust “help section” full of informative articles that explain many facets of the company’s policies. Overall, PillPack’s sales materials appear easy to understand and free of errors. Most forms of contact information are easy to find, although a physical address for this company is not listed. Since PillPack has no physical location that customers can visit, the lack of address is a minor issue.
The Beneficial Extras category covers unusual items and policies, so most companies struggled to gain more than a few of the ten possible points. PillPack impresses by gaining 5/10 points and tying for first place along with DivvyDOSE. PillPack stood out because it’s the only company to offer accessories, a travel case plus a premium plastic countertop dispenser ($15). This brand also doesn’t require prescriptions for its OTC items, making its setup process convenient for the average person who takes supplements.
A Snapshot of PillPack’s History:
- Started: 2013
- Founders: T. J. Parker and Elliot Cohen
- Headquarters: Manchester, New Hampshire
- Related Companies: Amazon Pharmacy
- Standout Feature: Operates its business on proprietary software called Pharmacy OS
What You Should Know About PillPack
Pros
- Most locations are covered nationwide
- Discounts and coupons offered for uninsured customers
- Detailed website help section and FAQs
- Thorough reference list of medications and pill images
Cons
- No Android app
- No 24/7 customer service phone line for immediate assistance
ExactCare
Ranking in second place among the top six companies, ExactCare stands out as an all-around safe selection. While it did not attain first place in any one category, it did rank highly in all metrics, being the only brand to attain second place in three categories: Ease of Access, Transparency, and Extra Services. ExactCare struggled the most in the Reviews metric, ranking 4th place due to its lukewarm scores on Google Reviews and the Better Business Bureau.
How ExactCare Scored
ExactCare ranked in third place along with CVS for its coverage. With 7/10 points, this company is fairly accessible but has a few coverage exclusions. Notably, ExactCare excludes VA Health Plans and Humana plans. The Humana exclusion is the biggest cost concern for seniors since Humana has many Medicare Part C and D plans. ExactCare’s geographic coverage is strong, with no states excluded from the company’s shipment range. ExactCare can work with both insured and cash-pay patients.
ExactCare made second place in the rankings for its Ease of Access. Although it lacks a 24/7 phone line, it has many other options for accessing customer service and account details. Seniors can log in on a traditional web browser or any Android or Apple device. Perhaps the best part of this company’s accessibility is that seniors can have a company representative visit them in their homes to help them get set up with the company. This in-person option is phenomenal for many who like a personal touch in their pharmacy services.
With an average of 2.7/5 stars across platforms, this company ranked in fourth place for the Reviews metric. Between Google and the Better Business Bureau, there were 118 reviews of ExactCare. The majority of the reviews were available on Google. Trustpilot, another major review website, did not have an active profile for ExactCare. Reviews are mixed, with both positive and negative reviews citing customer service as being the reason for the rating.
This was one of three companies that came in with a score of 7 points for the second-ranking spot. ExactCare did well in terms of offering a great Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section, but it did not have long or extremely detailed help articles to supplement that brief section. Videos, visuals, and available contact information all contribute to greater customer understanding of the services provided. This company did have one major omission on its website since it did not list its insurance exclusions online. Customers who want to know about insurance need to call.
ExactCare attained second place along with Accupac with its 3/10 points. This company had one beneficial policy that’s somewhat unusual: it does not require a prescription for customers to get over-the-counter (OTC) items in its packets. ExactCare doesn’t offer any money-back guarantees, rewards programs, or storage accessories, so the company didn’t earn points in those categories.
A Snapshot of ExactCare’s History:
- Started: 2009
- Founder: Dale M. Wollschleger
- Headquarters: Valley View, OH
- Related Companies: NA
- Standout Feature: Prioritizes in-home consultations when possible
What You Should Know About ExactCare
Pros
- Partners with other healthcare companies, including home health agencies and managed care organizations
- No prescription required for OTC medications to be added to presorted packets
- Detailed website FAQs and mobile app make for easy information gathering
- Provides option for representative to visit customer’s home to set up service
Cons
- Relatively low rankings in reviews across three prominent review websites
Accupac
Accupac ranked as the third-best prescription delivery company out of the top six included in our ranking. This service, which is offered through Accuserv Pharmacy, performed best in the Reviews metric, ranking 1st in that area. It also did well in Extra Services, ranking in second place along with ExactCare thanks to the fact that it offers OTC medications, though prescriptions are required. Accupac did have a below-average score in Coverage, receiving just half of the possible points in that metric.
How Accupac Scored
With 5/10 points, Accupac ranked fourth in Coverage along with DivvyDOSE. Accupac’s geographic coverage is spotty. It is not licensed to ship to approximately 15 states. Seniors can inquire about their state over the phone. This company also has some coverage gaps when it comes to insurance, not having a contract with Humana, United HealthCare, or OptumRx. Accupac can serve those who are uninsured. Those who are seeking financial assistance can email the company to learn about their discount options.
Mobile apps and phone calls during normal business hours are the best ways to access Accupac account details or make changes to the account. The app is available on both Android and Apple devices. Accupac does not offer a regular web login option. It also does not have a 24/7 phone line, although it will call customers back for urgent matters after-hours. Accupac’s parent company Accuserv Pharmacy has one physical location in Irwin, Pennsylvania, but for most patients, this location will not be a practical way of contacting the company in person. Only two companies scored lower than Accupac on Ease of Access.
Accupac had the highest proportion of five-star reviews out of all of the companies we reviewed. Its average review score was 4.1/5 stars. Accupac reviews can be found on the Google business profile of its parent company, Accuserv Pharmacy. With just twenty-two reviews, this company does have considerably fewer reviews than most competitors have.
With 6/10 points, Accupac tied for third place with CVS in this metric. The company provides good contact information and an FAQ section that answers many questions, and its visuals and videos are informative. Information on the Accupac site does tend to be “bite-sized,” so customers who want an in-depth review of the brand’s policies will need to call for more information. This company had issues with missing information on its website since it did not disclose its numerous shipping exclusions nor provide a full list of excluded insurance companies.
In this section, Accupac tied with ExactCare for second place because it offers over-the-counter medications, though prescriptions are required. 3/10 points may seem low, but the highest score in the whole metric was only 5/10.
A Snapshot of Accupac’s History:
- Started: 2015
- Founder: Marvin Sheffler
- Headquarters: Irwin, Pennsylvania
- Related Companies: Accuserv Pharmacy
- Standout Feature: Can include additional pharmacy items such as diabetes testing supplies and vitamins in its monthly deliveries
What You Should Know About Accupac
Pros
- Offers OTC medications in presorted packets
- Highest number of 5-star ratings across three prominent rating websites
- Integrated 2-way messaging with a pharmacist via the mobile app
- Convenient prescription refills and reminders via the mobile app
Cons
- Not licensed to ship to 15 states, which is nearly one third of the country
DivvyDOSE
DivvyDOSE came in fourth place out of the top six companies with a score that was less than one point below that of the leading company. This brand excelled in the Beneficial Extras metric, earning an impressive 5/10 points in that difficult category thanks to its unique “Happiness Guarantee” as well as its user-friendly policy on handling OTC medications. The company tied with Accupac for fourth place in Coverage, exhibiting some limitations on both shipping and insurance types.
How DivvyDOSE Scored
DivvyDOSE ranked in fourth place in coverage along with Accupac, and it has a score of 5/10 points. This pharmacy had almost perfect geographic coverage, with Delaware being the only excluded state. DivvyDOSE does not take Humana customers and it also does not work with uninsured customers. Note that this company’s exclusion of Humana extends to the Limited Income Newly Eligible Transition (LI NET) Program that Humana operates. This somewhat uncommon form of emergency medication coverage is for low-income Medicare beneficiaries.
With 6/10 points, DivvyDOSE ranked in third place for the Ease of Access. This brand is one of only two that provide truly 24/7 phone lines. It also offers customers both web access and app access to their own accounts, making managing payments and other details easy. Unfortunately, the app is currently only available on Apple devices, so Android users will be limited in their digital access. DivvyDOSE is a closed-door pharmacy, meaning it has no physical locations or in-person service of any kind.
This brand ranked in third place along with PillPack for Reviews, scoring 6/10 points. DivvyDOSE’s average star rating was 3/5 stars. As a relatively small company, DivvyDOSE only had 52 reviews, and all of those reviews were on its Google Business profile. Good timing on deliveries comes up frequently in positive reviews. The good attitude of customer service also comes up frequently. Errors with medication renewals and issues with insurance tend to come up in reviews that have fewer stars.
DivvyDOSE scored 7/10 points in Transparency, ranking in second place along with three other companies that received identical scores. DivvyDOSE did well in providing a short FAQ section as well as a few sections with medium-length descriptions of services. DivvyDOSE was also remarkably clear regarding its location limitations. However, this brand did have some inaccuracies on its website. Notably, the website says that DivvyDOSE accepts “all major health insurance plans”. In reality, DivvyDOSE cannot offer its services to those with Humana plans, and Humana is a Fortune 500 insurance company that certainly qualifies as a major provider.
DivvyDOSE tied for first place with PillPack in this category, scoring 5/10 points and performing well thanks to its generous refund policy. While other companies may occasionally issue refunds if mistakes are made, this is the only company that has a well-defined refund policy based on customer happiness. Customers who are unhappy with their delivery can get twice their out-of-pocket costs back within the first 30 days of enrolling.
A Snapshot of DivvyDOSE’s History:
- Started: 2014
- Founders: Arvind Movva
- Headquarters: Moline, Illinois
- Related Companies: Divvymed, LLC
- Standout Feature: Company was founded by a second-generation medical doctor
What You Should Know About DivvyDOSE
Pros
- Accepts all major health insurance plans, Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts, and Medicare Part-D
- Detailed website FAQs and state availability map
- Generous refund policy, offering unsatisfied customers twice their out-of-pocket expense
- One of only two companies offering 24/7 phone assistance
Cons
- Does not work with uninsured customers
CVS SimpleDose
CVS SimpleDose, a program offered by the national CVS chain of pharmacies, came in fifth place in the top six companies. This program was strongest in Ease of Access, earning the highest score in that metric because it offers its customers many convenient ways to monitor and make changes to their accounts. Customers can even access customer service in person with this brand, a rare form of access. The CVS brand did come in last place for reviews, receiving a score that was almost three points below average when compared to other brands.
How CVS SimpleDose Scored
CVS ranked in third place along with ExactCare in the coverage metric. With 7/10 points, this brand has some exclusions but offers great coverage overall. As an established national pharmacy chain, CVS can fill prescriptions for practically any insurance and can also work with the uninsured. CVS’s greatest coverage limitations are geographic. Some zip codes cannot receive shipments of CVS SimpleDose. The company website does not specify a full list of excluded zip codes, so customers must inquire on an individual basis. Getting help finding discounts on drugs from CVS may be available in many locations but is not guaranteed.
CVS ranked best in this category with an impressive 8/10 points. Web access and apps on Android and Apple devices make it digitally accessible. This is the only brand that has numerous locations nationwide, making it perfect for those who like the option of an in-person experience. Not all CVS locations have a 24/7 phone line or an after-hours call-back option, so CVS did not score perfectly on those submetrics.
CVS ranked in fifth (last) place for Reviews. On the typical review scale of 1-5 stars, this brand had a score of 1.8 on average. The CVS brand had reviews on all major review platforms including Google profiles, Trustpilot, and the BBB. We gathered reviews from all three places, with the Google profile reviews coming from the brand’s corporate headquarters in Woonsocket, RI. Because it is such a large and well-known corporation, CVS locations have many thousands more reviews than its competitors do. However, virtually all CVS reviews are about in-store service at specific locations, rather than about the SimpleDose program.
CVS ranked in the last place on transparency, but its score was not drastically lower than the score of other brands. Four out of six brands came in at 7 points, and one came in at 7.5. CVS is just two points behind its competitors. The CVS SimpleDose website did not contain any noticeable errors, but it was a bit short on information and visuals. There were no explanatory videos and no long articles to explain the service. The FAQ section was good quality, but for some questions, customers will need to call. CVS does not list a contact email specifically for the SimpleDose program.
CVS ranked in third place for Beneficial Extras, earning 2/10 points. It has a rewards program, a special service that no other company on our list shares. CVS has offered a generous rewards program for many years, and its main program applies to all merchandise in the stores. The rewards program specifically for prescriptions has a yearly limit of $50 back per year per person. It’s a valuable perk for those who would already be spending considerable money on their medications to be able to get something back. Signing up for the rewards can be complicated, but plentiful information on the program can be found here
A Snapshot of CVS History:
- Started: 1963 (added SimpleDose in 2014)
- Founders: Stanley Goldstein, Sidney Goldstein, and Ralph Hoagland
- Headquarters: Woonsocket, RI
- Related Companies: CVS Caremark and Aetna
- Standout Feature: Has thousands of retail locations
What You Should Know About CVS SimpleDose
Pros
- Reduced costs and improved customer access to health care experts after acquiring Aetna health insurance company in 2018
- Most accessible service, with thousands of locations and 24/7 customer assistance
- Decades-old business provides customers with trust
- Generous rewards program allows customers to earn points for any type of purchase
Cons
- Limited amount of program information and contact options on company website
Simple Meds
Simple Meds may have ranked in 6th place on our metric due to its simplified service model, but this company still shows an extremely strong performance in multiple categories. Simple Meds earned no points in Ease of Access due to the fact that it only interacts with customers over the phone during normal business hours and offers no web or mobile access. However, this brand has the distinction of being the only company to score 9 points in a metric, getting a 9/10 in coverage thanks to its broad distribution and strong relationship with insurance companies. Simple Meds also stood out for its great performance in reviews.
How Simple Meds Scored
Simple Meds scored remarkably well on coverage, ranking in first place among competitors and scoring 9/10 points. This company has perfect geographic coverage, excluding no states from its service. When asked about insurance/PBM contracts, Simple Meds says that Express Scripts, a large PBM, is the only one that it doesn’t currently contract with. Moreover, Simple Meds can work with those who don’t have prescription coverage, and it has a stated policy of helping patients find solutions that fit their budgets when costs are high.
Simple Meds ranked in last place for Ease of Access, gaining zero points. This brand’s only line of communication is over the phone during normal business hours. Web and app options are not available, nor is a 24/7 phone line or guaranteed after-hours callbacks. The phone-only communication option may be a barrier for some, although many seniors prefer phone calls over internet communication.
Simple Meds did very well in this category, coming in second with an average review score of 4/5 points. This brand, being quite small, has only 7 reviews on its Google profile, and it has no reviews on the BBB or on Trustpilot. With such a small sample size, it is difficult to be sure how representative the score is of the overall customer satisfaction experience. Note that Simple Meds also has a few positive reviews on its Facebook profile, though these reviews were not part of our official metric calculations.
Simple Meds ranked at second place along with three other companies that received an identical score of 7/10 points. This company has a great FAQ section but few longer articles to explain the details of its service. It has exceptionally high-quality visuals and videos, however, so seniors can get a good idea of what’s offered in that way. This company lists all contact information online except for an email, which cannot be found but may be available upon request.
With 0/10 points, Simple Meds has last place in Beneficial Extras. This brand keeps its service basic. To sum up, the company has none of the following: refund guaranteed for unhappy customers, a rewards program, or storage accessories for pills. It also does require that included OTC items have a prescription, a factor that can be inconvenient.
A Snapshot of Simple Meds’ History:
- Started: 2015
- Founders: Paul and Lori Hogan
- Headquarters: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Related Companies: Home Instead Senior Care Franchise (same founders)
- Unique Traits: Says its average customer takes 10 medications a day
What You Should Know About Simple Meds
Pros
- Connected to the well-rated Home Instead Senior Care® franchise, started by the same group
- Excludes no states from its coverage area
- Extensive website FAQs, articles, and videos
- Works with uninsured patients to find discounts and savings programs
Cons
- One of the smallest prescription delivery services
- The only company with no beneficial extras as defined by our metrics
Are Prescription Delivery Services Really Free?
Prescription delivery services are free- what’s the catch? That can often be the immediate reaction to something labeled as free that seems like it shouldn’t be. To be perfectly clear, the medication delivered by these services isn’t free; copays still apply. However, these companies don’t charge extra for the special packaging and the shipping, making their costs similar to the costs at a normal retail pharmacy. Below you can learn how copays and insurance work, and you can also learn about the potential these services have to save you money and trouble in the long run.
Typical Patients Costs for Using a Prescription Delivery Service
As mentioned above, no charge for shipping or packaging should be levied. If you do get such a charge from a company, you should seriously question it. However, you can still get charged for a few different things.
- Copays: When you have insurance, you’ll often be paying a small fee, called a copay, for your prescriptions. This could be a flat fee or a percentage of the overall cost. Copays should be similar across companies, but variations will exist. With delivery companies, the copay will almost always be for 30-day prescriptions which do cost more, per pill, than the copays for 90-day prescriptions.
- Uncovered Costs: You may have to pay the full price for some items. This can be true if an item is excluded from your insurance company’s formulary (list of pre-approved medications), if you are uninsured for prescription medications, or if you have to meet a deductible before your coverage kicks in. If you want to order a supplement or other OTC items, you’ll also usually have to pay full price. These items may be more costly with delivery services than they would be in a generic brand at a local store.
Do Companies Charge Hidden Fees?
Generally speaking, companies do not charge any hidden fees for their services. The only somewhat “hidden” fee that we have encountered in this industry is that in rare cases a company may require an unusual prescription length (such as 28 instead of 30 days) that will necessitate one extra copay in the course of a year.
Insurance coverage can be exceedingly complicated, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on your monthly bills from the service you select. If a cost changes, you’ll want to know right away. Most companies will make an effort to notify you of any large changes, but if you notice a price change that you were not informed of you will want to reach out for details. Pricing mistakes do happen from time to time.
Did you know?
Original Medicare doesn’t automatically come with prescription drug coverage. If you are on Medicare and want to improve your access to affordable prescriptions, consider your options for enhancing your drug coverage. Medicare Part D and/or Part C can both offer solutions, and most prescription delivery services work with some or all of these plans.
Potential Savings for Patients and Their Families
When these services work as they are intended to, without mistakes or delays, they can produce all kinds of long-term savings for both seniors and caregivers. These immediate savings include:
- Discounts: Some companies help patients work with nonprofits or manufacturers to use any available discounts or untapped funding. For low-income seniors, this extra help can significantly alter the cost of a prescription.
- Transportation: Many seniors don’t drive, and not all have access to quality public transportation. If you’re in a position where you’re paying for rides to the pharmacy multiple times a month, the savings on transportation can add up when you make the switch. If you’re living in a rural area and you or a caregiver have to drive far to your pharmacy, the gas savings can be similarly large.
- Caregiving: Most seniors with paid caregivers can only afford them for a certain number of hours each week. In-home care often costs over $22 per hour according to Genworth Financial’s latest 2019 surveys. If a paid caregiver is currently sorting your medications, that’s costly time that could be spent on other pressing needs.
Long-Term Benefits of Using a Prescription Delivery Service
Not all savings are easy to label with a monthly dollar amount. That doesn’t mean they won’t produce significantly better financial results over time.
Caregiver Well-Being
The strain of being an unpaid family caregiver can be great. Unpaid caregivers, whether full-time or part-time, often don’t have much time to work a job outside the home, exercise or relax, look after their own finances, and otherwise care for their own needs. Being overextended can produce excess expenses due to financial mistakes, lost time in the workforce, the need to rely on expensive conveniences like takeout, and more. It can also lead to deteriorating mental and physical health which may be poorly covered by insurance. Even one less task that a caregiver is responsible for can improve quality of life and financial savings, depending on the situation.
Patient Health
Seniors and caregivers can easily make medication errors that have acute and/or chronic health consequences. Missing doses or overdosing leads to worse clinical outcomes. Past mistakes or a doctor mentioning that medication adherence needs to improve can make a patient frustrated or worried, too, which can exacerbate health conditions. Outsourcing the pill sorting task to skilled pharmacists can be a huge relief and can ultimately reduce costs associated with hospitalizations and extra doctor visits.
Did you know?
Some small pharmacies are now offering presorted medications to their local customers, providing an alternative to transferring out to a national company. Ask your local pharmacist if the pharmacy you already like is equipped with the necessary machinery for this service.
