CVS Announces Same-Day Home Delivery of Prescriptions

By Divya Gopisetty and Martin Kurian

CVS now offers same-day prescription home delivery from 6,000 pharmacies across the United States for a delivery charge of $7.99

CVS is now offering same-day, home delivery of prescriptions for $7.99 per order. According to the announcement, people can receive prescription drugs on their doorstep within just four hours! The service is available at 6,000 pharmacies. CVS continues to offer a 1-2-day delivery option priced at $4.99 and available at about 10,000 pharmacies.

Once a prescription is filled and ready for pickup, you can request to have it delivered. To get a prescription delivered, there are three options:

• Select prescription delivery service on the CVS mobile app;

• Use the link on your “order ready” text message to select home delivery; or

• Call your local CVS pharmacy.

While some insurance plans cover delivery fees, most (including Medicare Part D plans) do not. Delivery services are not available for prescriptions covered by certain insurance and prescription benefit plans, including Medicare Part B. CVS can deliver diabetes supplies, including test strips, lancets, and blood glucose monitors. Unfortunately, CVS cannot deliver medications that require refrigeration (like insulin). Be sure to call your local pharmacy to check if your prescription is eligible for delivery.

To receive same-day delivery, your order must be submitted at least four hours before the pharmacy closes. Someone must be home in order to receive a same-day delivery. For the 1-2-day delivery option, it is not required to have someone home. Over-the-counter medications and select CVS store products can be added to delivery orders at check-out.

It is exciting to see CVS expand their delivery services, especially because over 80% of Americans live within 10 miles of a CVS store. Many people take several prescription drugs and often have last-minute challenges, such as running out of diabetes supplies and medications.

Looking at the competition, Walgreens offers next-day prescription delivery service with FedEx for $4.99. Same-day delivery from Walgreens is available in select areas and expected to expand in 2019. Additionally, PillPack pre-sorts and delivers doses of medications to people’s homes (in all states but Hawaii) with no additional service or shipping costs. PillPack automatically refills prescriptions, confirms insurance, and offers 24/7 pharmacist support via their mobile app. Amazon acquired PillPack in 2018. Amazon’s launch of their online pharmacy is expected to launch any day now.