The U.S. healthcare system’s prescription spending has soared to over $700 billion per year, and that figure is expected to rise. Approximately $100 billion of that is out-of-pocket.
For patients without health insurance, or those who have insurance but don’t have access to a provider in a timely manner, they may be wondering: How can I get prescriptions with or without insurance conveniently?
Getting a prescription without insurance works much like it does with coverage; the difference comes down to the out-of-pocket cost.
Patients can get a new prescription or a refill by taking their concerns to a licensed medical professional.
Filling that prescription is straightforward at any pharmacy, but without insurance, you’ll pay out of pocket for both the appointment and the medication. Considering the average cost of an uninsured doctor visit is $100 to $400, these expenses can quickly add up.
Virtual care solutions like Counsel offer a more affordable alternative. You can start a chat with our medical AI at no cost using a secure, messaging-based platform on either desk or mobile, to share your symptoms. Then you can add a licensed physician into the chat for just $29, a cost that’s lower than most copays. If medication is needed to treat any symptoms, a Counsel physician will fill the prescription for you to pick up at your preferred pharmacy. Your only remaining expense is the medication itself, making the process seamless and cost-effective.
Medication prices already vary widely, but without insurance, costs can fluctuate even more. To help you understand what to expect at the pharmacy, let’s break down the price of prescription drugs.
When you have health insurance, either through your employer or a private benefits plan, any guesswork around medication pricing is removed from the equation. A doctor prescribes you medication, you visit your local pharmacy, and the pharmacist charges you a relatively small copay when you pick up your prescription. That’s it. With an insurance plan, you’re looking at an average copay of $11 for tier 1 drugs and $116 for tier 4 drugs.
Without insurance, there’s a lot more variability in prescription pricing. Drug prices can range from $15 to $1,000+. What you pay will depend on:
With all these variables in mind, it can be challenging to pinpoint an “average” cost for any given prescription. The bottom line is that uninsured Americans pay too much for prescription drugs; some spend more than $1,000 each year.
When people can’t afford their prescription drugs, they sometimes:
In other words, cost is causing some patients to de-prioritize their well-being. This trend is concerning, as over a third of American adults skipped or postponed getting needed health care in the past 12 months due to the cost.
With that in mind, the affordability of prescription drugs is more important than ever.
Whether or not you have insurance, chances are you’ll need prescription medication at some point in your life. Healthcare providers recommend specialized drugs for dozens of common conditions and illnesses, from chronic to temporary and lifestyle, including:
In addition to ongoing health conditions, there are other situations where healthcare providers may prescribe medication, such as:
If any of these situations apply to you, you can still access the prescription drugs you need. You may just have to pay more out of pocket than you would under an insurance plan.
Without a doubt, having convenient, cost-effective access to care that prescribes medications with or without insurance can be challenging. Waiting for a doctor can take far too long, and the rising cost of prescription drugs means affordability is an issue for many Americans.
There’s a seamless, always-available way to get a prescription with Counsel.
You can chat with our medical AI for free and then add a real doctor with one click. a. Our in-house providers, licensed in all 50 states, can prescribe medications when appropriate, having the full context of your medical history and prior conversations. They can also help refill medications and navigate any side effects. Note that controlled substances are not prescribed.
Beyond prescriptions, Counsel supports members across a broad spectrum of healthcare needs, from medical advice to ordering lab tests without insurance, gaining actionable insights from health results, and more. This enables members to manage their health in one secure place. At $29 per visit or $199 for unlimited annual visits, Counsel offers a more affordable alternative to the traditional healthcare system for anyone, with or without insurance.
Get started today to receive fast, accessible, and personalized care without the wait.
The Counsel Health editorial team is a multidisciplinary group of writers and editors dedicated to delivering clinically grounded, evidence-based health information. Their work is informed by real-world care delivery and guided by physician expertise, ensuring content is accurate, accessible, and trustworthy. By translating complex medical topics into clear, practical guidance, the team helps readers understand their health, explore care options, and make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.
Dr. Rishi Khakhkhar is CMO at Counsel Health. A practicing emergency physician and founding team member, he leads the clinical team in building best-in-class asynchronous care models. Previously, he served as Medical Director of Mount Sinai’s Virtual Urgent Care, the health system’s largest telemedicine service, and led emergency department operations for Hospital-at-Home while supporting mobile integrated health initiatives across the care continuum.
Our content is created for informational purposes and should not replace professional medical care. For personalized guidance, talk to a licensed physician. Learn more about our editorial standards and review process.
