Amazon Pharmacy accepts Medicaid in most states, but coverage depends on your specific plan and state program
Amazon Pharmacy does take Medicaid, though not every Medicaid plan covers prescriptions through it. Your state's Medicaid program sets which pharmacies participate and which drugs are covered. Some state Medicaid programs have contracts with Amazon Pharmacy; others do not. Before you fill a prescription there, you need to check whether your particular plan includes it.
The pharmacy is part of Amazon's healthcare expansion and operates as a licensed pharmacy in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. It fills prescriptions by mail and offers same-day delivery in some cities. But Medicaid coverage is not automatic — it works the same way it does at any other pharmacy. Your state program decides participation, and your individual plan determines what drugs are covered.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon Pharmacy participates in Medicaid in most states, but your specific state plan must include it as a covered pharmacy for you to use your Medicaid there.
- You can contact your state Medicaid program or your plan's customer service to confirm whether Amazon Pharmacy is in your network.
- Even if Amazon Pharmacy is covered, your individual prescription must be on your plan's formulary (the list of covered drugs) to be covered.
- If Amazon Pharmacy is not covered under your plan, you can still use it and pay out of pocket, or fill prescriptions at a network pharmacy instead.
How to check if Amazon Pharmacy is covered under your Medicaid plan
Start by contacting your Medicaid plan directly. Call the customer service number on your insurance card or visit your plan's website. Ask whether Amazon Pharmacy is an in-network pharmacy. Some plans list participating pharmacies online; others require a phone call to confirm.
You can also contact your state Medicaid program. Each state runs its own Medicaid system, and staff can tell you which pharmacies have contracts with that state's program. Your state Medicaid office website usually has a pharmacy finder tool or a phone number to call. Search "[your state] Medicaid pharmacy directory" to find it.
If you already have a prescription, your doctor's office can also check. When they send the prescription to Amazon Pharmacy, the pharmacy will tell them whether it can be filled under your Medicaid coverage.
What happens if Amazon Pharmacy is not in your Medicaid network
If your state Medicaid program does not have a contract with Amazon Pharmacy, or if your specific plan does not include it, you have two options. You can fill your prescription at a pharmacy that is in your network — usually a local chain or independent pharmacy — and pay nothing or a small copay. Or you can use Amazon Pharmacy and pay the full price out of pocket.
Some people choose to pay out of pocket at Amazon Pharmacy if the price is lower than their copay at a network pharmacy, or if they prefer mail delivery. You can compare prices on Amazon Pharmacy's website without logging in. But Medicaid will not cover any part of the cost if the pharmacy is not in your plan's network.
Medicaid coverage of specific drugs at Amazon Pharmacy
Even if Amazon Pharmacy is in your Medicaid network, not every drug is covered. Your plan has a formulary — a list of drugs that Medicaid will pay for. Amazon Pharmacy fills prescriptions for drugs on that formulary the same way any other pharmacy does.
If your doctor prescribes a drug that is not on your formulary, Amazon Pharmacy cannot fill it under Medicaid coverage. Your options are to ask your doctor for a different drug that is covered, request a prior authorization (a formal approval from your plan for an off-formulary drug), or pay out of pocket. Your plan's customer service can tell you whether a specific drug is covered and whether a prior authorization is possible.
How to fill a prescription at Amazon Pharmacy with Medicaid
If Amazon Pharmacy is in your network, filling a prescription there works like any other pharmacy. Your doctor sends the prescription to Amazon Pharmacy directly, or you can transfer a prescription from another pharmacy. You will need your Medicaid card and information.
When you create an account on Amazon Pharmacy's website or app, you enter your insurance information. The pharmacy verifies your coverage with your plan. If the prescription is covered, you pay your copay (usually $0 to $5 for generic drugs under Medicaid). If it is not covered, Amazon Pharmacy will tell you the out-of-pocket price.
Delivery times vary. Same-day delivery is available in some cities; standard mail delivery takes a few days. You can track your prescription the same way you track other Amazon orders.
State-by-state variation in Amazon Pharmacy Medicaid coverage
Amazon Pharmacy's participation in Medicaid differs by state because each state runs its own Medicaid program and negotiates its own pharmacy contracts. Some states have had contracts with Amazon Pharmacy for several years; others added it more recently; a few may not have formal agreements yet.
Even within a state, coverage can vary by plan type. Medicaid managed care plans (the most common type) may have different pharmacy networks than fee-for-service Medicaid. Your specific plan determines what you can use, not just your state.
The best way to know your state's situation is to ask your plan directly. Coverage and contracts change, so information from a website or article may be outdated. Your plan's customer service has current information about which pharmacies are in your network right now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Amazon Pharmacy if I have both Medicaid and Medicare?
If you have both programs (called dual coverage), your Medicaid plan still determines whether Amazon Pharmacy is in your network. Contact your Medicaid plan to confirm. Some dual-may be able to access people are in Medicaid managed care plans that may or may not include Amazon Pharmacy.
Does Amazon Pharmacy charge a membership fee for Medicaid users?
No. Amazon Pharmacy does not charge a membership fee to fill prescriptions with Medicaid. You pay only your copay (if any) for covered drugs. You do not need an Amazon Prime membership to use Amazon Pharmacy.
What if my prescription is rejected at Amazon Pharmacy?
If Amazon Pharmacy cannot fill your prescription, they will tell you why — usually because the drug is not covered, the pharmacy is not in your network, or there is a problem with your insurance information. Call your Medicaid plan to understand why, and ask whether a prior authorization or a different drug would work instead.
Can I get insulin or other chronic medications delivered by Amazon Pharmacy on Medicaid?
Yes, if the medication is on your plan's formulary and Amazon Pharmacy is in your network. Many Medicaid plans cover insulin and common chronic disease drugs. You can set up automatic refills for regular medications, and Amazon Pharmacy will deliver them on a schedule you choose.