Mail Order vs. Retail Cost Comparison
| Drug Type | Retail (30-day) | Mail Order (90-day) | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Generic maintenance | $15 | $30 (2x30-day price) | 33% |
| Brand maintenance | $100 | $175 (1.75x30-day price) | 42% |
| Specialty maintenance | $1,000 | $2,700 (2.7x30-day price) | 10% |
Adherence Benefits
Mail order improves medication adherence for chronic conditions. 90-day supplies reduce the frequency of refills — and each refill is an opportunity for non-adherence. Studies show that mail order patients have 10–15% higher adherence rates than retail patients for chronic medications. Improved adherence reduces hospitalizations and ER visits for chronic conditions.
Mandatory Mail Order
IQ Insight
Mandatory mail order programs — requiring mail order for maintenance medications after the second or third retail fill — maximize savings and adherence. Members who are required to use mail order for chronic medications typically comply — and often prefer the convenience of home delivery. Mandatory mail order programs can save 5–10% of total pharmacy costs.