Amazon expands PillPack pre-sorted med service to Medicare recipients

 Amazon will deliver pre-sorted medications to Medicare Part D beneficiaries and is also making it easier for caregivers to manage loved ones’ prescriptions.

The online giant’s Amazon Pharmacy healthcare services division is introducing two new enhancementa designed to streamline medication management for consumers. Following is an overview of Amazon’s expansion of the availability of its PillPack service and its new caregiver medication management program.

PillPack

Amazon acquired PillPack, an online pharmacy that offers pre-sorted doses of medications and home delivery, in 2018 as part of an initial expansion into the healthcare and pharmaceutical business.

Offered as a service of Amazon Pharmacy, PillPack provides monthly shipments of personalized, pre-sorted medication packets to customers with two or more recurring prescriptions. Each packet is labeled with date and time, eliminating the need to manage multiple pill bottles and making it easier for customers to follow their prescribed routines. 

With today’s new expansion, more than 50 million Medicare Part D beneficiaries who manage multiple daily medications are now eligible to use their insurance for PillPack from Amazon Pharmacy.

“Caregiving comes with enormous responsibilities, and managing multiple medications is one of the most challenging aspects,” said Tess Carey, senior pharmacist at Amazon Pharmacy, said in a corporate blog post. “Amazon Pharmacy’s new caregiver feature provides a secure, streamlined way for trusted individuals to help manage prescriptions and place orders 24/7, when and where convenient for them—all through their own Amazon accounts. This ensures medications arrive on time, giving both caregivers and patients greater peace of mind.”

To enroll in PillPack from Amazon Pharmacy, customers can log into their Amazon Pharmacy account and click “Sign up for PillPack.” After selecting eligible medications, reviewing insurance and delivery details, customers can complete their sign-up and start receiving their medications in packets. 

Amazon Pharmacy will coordinate the refill schedules so multiple medications can all be delivered at the same time each month. The PillPack service is free for Amazon Pharmacy customers and includes monthly delivery of pre-sorted medication rolls and 24/7 access to a pharmacist.

Amazon Pharmacy opened RxPass, an offering allowing U.S. Prime Members in most states to order as many prescriptions as they need from a list of 50 generic drugs for a flat monthly add-on fee of $5 to Prime membership, with no other mark-ups., to Medicare recipients in June 2024.

Caregiver medication management

Customers can use Amazon Pharmacy’s new feature for caregivers to help manage medications for family members or loved ones who need assistance. The feature allows customers to securely invite trusted individuals who, once verified, can manage medications on behalf of their loved ones through their own Amazon Pharmacy accounts.

To set up caregiver support, customers can log into their Amazon Pharmacy account and send an invitation to their caregiver using their mobile phone number. The caregiver will receive a secure link over SMS and after confirming a few details like the customer’s date of birth can start managing medications through their own Amazon account.

"These updates deliver what our customers have been asking for—simpler medication management for themselves and their loved ones," said John Love, VP of Amazon Pharmacy. "Whether you’re a caregiver juggling multiple prescriptions for an aging parent, or a customer who could benefit from the convenience of pre-sorted packets delivered reliably each month, we’re removing barriers and making pharmacy work better for you.”

 Amazon Pharmacy is a full-service, digital-forward pharmacy offering a solution that serves both one-off and ongoing medication needs. The service will provide ongoing delivery updates via text or email. Prime members in a dozen cities, such as Los Angeles, New York City, and Seattle, are also eligible for free same-day delivery of their medications.

Amazon Pharmacy accepts most insurance plans, including Medicare Part D nationwide and Medicaid in select states. 

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