Costco Mail Order Pharmacy

Getting started

To begin filling prescriptions through Costco Mail Order Pharmacy, head to costco.com and create an account (or sign into the one you already have), then follow the steps listed below. Please note that filling prescriptions with Costco's mail order service is NOT the same as filling and picking up prescriptions at their warehouse locations (which is an alternative option I've heard good things about from patients!).

Of note, Costco has their own version of self-pay pharmacy (where patients elect to NOT use insurance and instead pay out of pocket for some or all of their medications) called the Costco Member Prescription Program (CMPP). Whether filling prescriptions via mail order or via their warehouse locations, this is something I recommend you look into, as it may both save you money (because, these days, using insurance doesn't guarantee cheaper healthcare) and would almost definitely streamline your pharmacy experience (because no insurance means no hoop jumping (e.g., Prior Authorizations (PAs)). However, you DO have to be a Costco member to participate. Click here for more information about CMPP and to check pricing on specific medications.

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Click on Sign In / Register near the top right corner, then click on the gray Create Account button under New to Costco?. Enter your email address, your desired password, and your Costco membership number, if you have one.

Not a Costco member? No problem! Any individual whose insurance is accepted by Costco pharmacy is welcome to use their mail order service (and warehouse pharmacies, too).

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Once logged in, hover over Pharmacy in the blue navigation bar and then click on Mail Order (if you want to look into using their warehouse pharmacies instead, click on Warehouse Pickup). Clicking on any pharmacy-related link (e.g., Mail Order Prescription Status, Fill New Prescriptions) will reveal their mail order main navigation menu, which is located on the left hand side of the screen. No matter how you get there, you'll be led to a page that says "Prescription Status" at the top and below confirms that you have no previous prescription requests. At this point, click on the blue Complete Patient Profile button to update the information and settings below.

Clicking here will lead you to their online tutorial for setting up mail order, which I found very helpful when I first started working with them. I strongly recommend using it to guide you through the enrollment process and filling of your first prescription(s). However, I've still included some specific suggestions below based on my own pharmacy knowledge and personal experience.

Account & Patient Info: Here you'll enter your personal and health information, including a few preferences about how they'll fill your prescriptions.

By default, the "Yes, substitute a generic equivalent when available" box will be checked. Even if you're using Costco mail order solely to fill a (often brand name) medication that your local pharmacy loses money filling, I suggest keeping this box checked in case you end up filling anything else with them, as it's always best to fill the generic version of a medication unless there's a particular reason why you use the brand name version outside of your insurance requiring you to do so (usually, because it works better for your body). If you need to take the brand name version of a medication for this reason, your care provider should include "dispense as written" (DAW) on your prescription; if they forget and Costco starts filling the prescription using the generic version, just give them a call and let them know to use the brand name version instead. In contrast, when you're using the brand name version because your insurance requires you to, Costco will already know this from billing your insurance plan (i.e., you don't have to instruct them to do this).
- Of note, I've also found this is a good way to tell when a patient's formulary changes and their plan now covers the cheaper generic version of a medication (because Costco will begin filling, for example, Brimonidine Tartrate instead of its brand name version, Alphagan P). Any pharmacy I've ever known always tries to fill the generic version of a medication by default, so I'm not really sure why they offer this check box in the first place, but that's why I recommend keeping it checked.

I also recommend checking the "Yes, I request refill reminders and that prescription details be included in my emails for all prescriptions on this account" box, since these kinds of notifications will streamline your mail order experience. Unfortunately, Costco's mail order pharmacy doesn't currently offer text notifications.

Insurance: Here you'll enter details for your health insurance plan, if using insurance to help pay for your prescriptions. If you select "no," I imagine that Costco will be charging you the out-of-pocket or "cash" price for any prescription they fill for you (or, in the case of Costco members, using the pricing structure for their Costco Member Prescription Program (CMPP)). However, you'll need to confirm this with them directly, as I've always used insurance to fill patients' prescriptions through Costco mail order.

Payment Method: Here you’ll enter details for the card(s) you’d like to use to pay for your medication(s). As with any online ordering system, I recommend using a credit card in case there is ever a fraudulent transaction (versus a debit card, which doesn’t offer the same fraud protections).

Addresses: Here you’ll enter the address(es) where you’d like your prescriptions to be shipped. Whether or not you've added insurance and/or payment information before now, you'll be required to add both a shipping and billing address before moving onto the final Privacy subsection, where you'll electronically agree to their Notice of Privacy Practices.

The Costco mail order portal doesn't have a "communication settings" section, nor do they send text notifications. But based on my experience thus far, Costco sends the following types of notifications via email. Additionally, you can communicate with them via email directly at webpharmacy@costco.com. They're very responsive and will let you know if they can't answer your question via email and need you to call them.

New prescription ready for refill | YES (unless your provider wrote the prescription with instructions to put it on file/hold, in which case you're not notified; if you're expecting Costco to begin filling something new for you and you haven't heard from them, reach out to ask whether they've received a new prescription)

Refill reminders | YES

Prescription out of refills or expiring soon | UNSURE

Order placed | YES

Refill too soon | YES

Pharmacy hasn't heard back from your provider (e.g., about a new prescription or information they need before filling your prescription) | YES

Order processing | NO

Order shipped | YES

Shipment out for delivery | YES

Shipment delivered | YES

Secure message (that you sent them) received | N/A

Response to secure message available | N/A

Prior Authorization (PA) decisions | NO

Payment method expiring soon | UNSURE

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Now that your mail order account is set up, either contact your healthcare provider(s) to request that they send a new prescription order directly to the Costco mail order pharmacy OR request that they transfer your prescription from your current pharmacy.

In my opinion, one of the loveliest things about Costco mail order is that they're willing to contact other pharmacies for prescription transfers (traditional mail orders refuse to do this (one of my least favorite things about them!) and, these days, it's not uncommon for local independent pharmacies like the one I work at to refuse to contact chain and traditional mail order pharmacies for transfers, since it's such an arduous process for them). Requesting that they transfer your prescription from your current pharmacy is definitely the easier route, if this option is available to you. However, know that prescription transfers can take some time, so if you're urgently needing a refill, calling your provider and asking them to send a prescription "high priority" (in pharmacy speak, that means ASAP) might be faster. If you're transferring your prescription to Costco, I suggest starting this process at least 3 weeks before you're going to run out of medication; if you have less time, I recommend filling the prescription at your current pharmacy one more time before requesting the transfer OR calling your clinic like I described.

If you opt to call your clinic instead and take multiple medications that are prescribed by more than one provider, you’ll need to reach out to each of them separately. If they ask, you can provide them with the following prescribing information:

ePrescribe: Costco Mail Order Pharmacy #1348
Phone number for calling in prescriptions: (800) 607-6861
- This is also their general customer support number
Fax number for faxing in prescriptions: (877) 258-9584
Address: 260 Logistics Ave, Suite B, Jeffersonville, IN 47130
NPI: 1073079521
- This stands for "National Provider Identifier," which is a nationwide ID system for healthcare organizations and individual providers. I've never had a clinic ask for a mail order pharmacy's NPI, but since Costco lists it on their site I've included it here (however, if the clinic doesn't ask for it, I don't offer it).

I recommend that you request they send a 90-day / 3-month supply prescription, unless there is a reason that you’d like a lower quantity filled each time you order. Filling 3 months’ worth is appropriate for many medications and usually more convenient (of note, many independent pharmacies will only fill monthly supplies of expensive brand name medications because they lose even more money when filling larger quantities of these kinds of drugs). Additionally, it's often the most cost-effective option when filling with a mail order pharmacy (sometimes, they will even offer patients a free copay, giving you 3 months of medication for the price of 2 months’ worth).

Certain medications used on a weekly basis, such as injectables like Ozempic and Praluent, are often prescribed in a days’ supply that is divisible by 7 (e.g., an 84-day supply instead of a 90-day supply for 3 months of medication).

If your provider sends a prescription for the wrong days' supply (e.g., 30 days instead of 90 days), you may need to have them re-send a corrected prescription. First, reach out to Costco directly to ask whether they can use refills on the prescription as its written to adjust the days' supply or if they can contact your provider for an updated prescription order (something a traditional mail order pharmacy usually won't do).

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Once Costco has received your prescription, they'll begin processing your refill (or first fill, if this is a new medication for you) immediately. If you requested it be transferred from another pharmacy through their website, they'll either ship it as soon as its ready OR check in with you via email before doing so, depending on which option you selected when you made the request. If you called your provider directly to request they send the prescription to Costco, Costco will send you an email once they begin processing the prescription.

New prescriptions won't display information like the prescriber, number of refills, quantity, and days' supply of a prescription until after your first order is shipped. To ensure your provider sent a prescription for the correct dose and days' supply, I recommend confirming this information either by giving them a call at (800) 607-6861 or sending them an email at webpharmacy@costco.com.

If it's too soon to refill your medication, Costco will email you to let you know the earliest date when it can be billed to your insurance plan.

Your active prescription(s) will be listed on the left hand side under Refill Prescriptions. Unlike traditional mail order pharmacies that are owned by PBMs, I've never seen Costco display prescriptions that they've never processed for a patient as a way to encourage patients to move them to mail order (i.e., all of the medications listed are ones that Costco actually has/had a prescription for), and I don't believe that they would, as they're not a PBM (and, therefore, don't have access to all of your prescription claims information, which is what makes this type of marketing possible).

Refills

For future refills, you’ll place your order by finding the medication(s) you want to refill under Refill Prescriptions, checking the medication(s) you want to refill, selecting your shipping preference, and then clicking on the blue Refill Selected Prescriptions button.

Moving forward, I recommend submitting refill requests 2 weeks before you're going to run out of medication (3 weeks if your prescription is out of refills or expired). This will give Costco plenty of time to bill your insurance and resolve any issues before shipping your medication to you. Don’t worry about submitting a refill request too early—if it’s too soon to fill per your insurance, Costco will send you an email and set your order to begin processing as soon as your insurance allows.

If your medication has a Prior Authorization (PA), it's helpful to note the PA's expiration date, since the PA expiring can also serve as a time-consuming hoop to jump through prior to the pharmacy being able to refill your medication. If you don't know the expiration date, you can confirm this by contacting Costco or giving your insurance plan a call using the number listed on your insurance or pharmacy benefit card.

When you need a refill of a prescription that is now out of refills, you'll be able to add the prescription to your cart and check out like usual. Costco will automatically contact your clinic for a new prescription and will let you know via email if they haven't heard back within a few business days.

I DO NOT recommend placing any prescription on autofill (i.e., it being filled regularly and automatically without your consent). Once medications are shipped to a patient from a mail order pharmacy, they are non-returnable and non-refundable, with few exceptions (the only situation I've encountered where a return was accepted was when the mail order pharmacy made a mistake). To avoid receiving medication that you don’t need, use tools like calendar reminders to keep track of when it’s time to order your next refill. Yes, it's tedious, but it will save you from receiving medication you don't need and/or can't afford.
- Per Medicare law, patients with Medicare insurance are not allowed to autofill medications (i.e., filling things automatically without communicating with the patient first), as it can lead to a wasteful accumulation of medication that patients don't need, but Medicare still paid for. In my experience, most mail order pharmacies still display this as an option in Medicare patients' accounts, and this is true for Costco; to confirm whether this setting is actually usable, you'll have to reach out to them directly (since I don't autofill my patients' medications, I'm unfamiliar with what happens when you try to turn this setting on for a Medicare patient).

Tips for working with Costco

The Costco mail order portal is embedded within Costco's general website, but refilling your prescriptions doesn't involve adding them to your cart in the same way that you would when purchasing merchandise from Costco. So, if you're going to both order prescriptions AND merchandise while signed in, take care of the prescriptions first and then move onto the merchandise.

While Costco doesn't offer secure messaging through their website, they're very responsive and helpful via email (they can be reached 24/7 at webpharmacy@costco.com). Calling them at (800) 607-6861 is also an easy way to communicate with them, as you're connected directly with a pharmacy technician (instead of just a phone operator) and it's easy to ask for a pharmacist. Usually, I'll try sending them an email first (they'll let you know if they can't answer your question via email), but I always call them if what I'm handling is urgent.

Costco's website doesn't offer a "caregiver" setting or place to upload a form naming an authorized representative (i.e., someone you're ok with contacting Costco on your behalf). Instead, you'll need to complete their Authorization for Release of Protected Health Information (PHI) form (click here for a fillable PDF version) and email it to webpharmacy@costco.com if you want someone else to be able to manage your mail order needs and contact Costco on your behalf. Once they've processed the form and uploaded it to your profile in their system, they'll confirm with you via email.

Costco mail order offers several speeds at which your prescriptions to be delivered. Standard shipping is free (including for medications with specific shipping guidelines set by the manufacturer, such as refrigerated items that must be shipped next-day), but shipping may be expedited on any prescription order, per your request. However, keep in mind that shipments only move on the “business days” of Monday through Friday (sometimes Saturday) and upgrading your delivery method does NOT speed up the processing of your prescription orders while they're still moving through the Costco mail order facility.

Costco has a smartphone app available for free for both iOS and android devices, but it can only be used for filling prescriptions at their warehouse locations. If you're using Costco's mail order service, you'll need to manage your mail order needs via their website (easiest on a computer, but can be done on your smartphone).