How to transfer a prescription to the Optum Store

Moving your prescription to an online pharmacy can seem intimidating. But this simple procedure can save you money and time. With pharmacy services through the Optum Store, the process is super easy. Here’s how to do it.

Step-by-step guide to transferring your prescription

Step #1: Head to pharmacy services at the Optum Store.

Step #2: Scroll down the web page until you see a search bar that reads Search for your medication. Type in the name of the medication you want to fill. Can’t remember the exact name? No problem.

“The search function does predictive text in case you can’t remember [the exact name of] your medication,” says Joshua Bartelme, product lead at the Optum Store. Just start typing the first few letters and the search function will offer options to choose from.

Step #3: Once you find your medication, click on the name. You’ll be taken to a page where you can read about it. Scroll down to review the section titled About this medication. You can review details such as what it’s used for, how to use it, side effects and disclaimers.

Step #4: If you’re sure you’ve found the right medication, scroll back up the page to fill out details such as dosage, form (tablet, capsule, liquid or powder, for example) and supply (30 days, 90 days or 180 days). You’ll also be able to add insurance information to compare the cost with or without insurance. Select the price you prefer.

Step #5: If everything looks good, hit the button that reads Start prescription transfer.

Step #6: On the next page, you’ll be asked to provide personal information, including name, gender and age. You’ll also fill out details about your health history, such as:

• The pharmacy you’re transferring the prescription from
• Whether you have any allergies or health conditions
• Whether you take other medications
• Your doctor’s name and contact information

Why does the Optum Store need this information? They ask for it to protect you against potential side effects, says Bartelme.

You buy everything else online. Why not your medicine?

Compare our prices. You might be surprised by how much you can save by transferring to the Optum Store.

Learn more

Step #7: After you fill out the health and safety information, you’ll be asked to create an account with your email and password. Then you’ll be taken to the checkout. Provide your billing and shipping information and submit your order.

Once you submit your order, a pharmacist from the Optum Store will review and approve it the same day. According to Bartelme, 80% of orders are delivered within 5 days, from input to dispensing to shipping.

If the pharmacist finds a potential safety issue with your medication based on your information, they will reach out to your doctor. This may delay shipping, but Bartelme notes that these questions are usually resolved within a day. 

(Traveling soon? Find out how to get medication refills ahead of time for vacation.)

The perks of online pharmacies

There are many good reasons to switch from brick-and-mortar pharmacies to online ones. Here are just a few:

They can save you money. “Online pharmacies don’t have the overhead that traditional pharmacies have, so they’re able to cut their prices and save consumers a lot of money,” Bartelme says. With pharmacy services through the Optum Store, people save an average of 78% over retail prices per month.

Plus, the Optum Store lets you buy your medications with or without insurance, depending on which option is cheaper.

They’re convenient. Picking up a prescription from a traditional pharmacy can be a hassle. Online pharmacies deliver your medications straight to your door. You can also manage prescriptions for multiple people in a single place, which could save you several trips to the pharmacy.

You get 24/7 support. The Optum Store has pharmacists on call all day, every day. Perhaps you need to clarify your dose, ask about side effects or check for potential interactions if you take more than 1 medication. You can reach out any time you have a question or concern — no waiting for the pharmacist to return from a lunch break.

They’re safe. To ensure your safety, online pharmacies do a medication-use review before dispensing a prescription. When you fill a prescription at the Optum Store, a pharmacist looks over your health history to check for any drug-to-drug interactions that could occur from other medications you take.

Before your medication is shipped, it’s scanned and checked by a licensed pharmacist. Your prescriptions are shipped in unmarked, temperature-controlled packaging to keep them fresh and discreet, Bartelme says.

Pharmacy services through the Optum Store have gone through a rigorous accreditation process to ensure high quality and safety.

So what are you waiting for? Transfer your prescriptions today to start saving time and money.

The Optum Store provides total care for your body and mind. Refill medications, schedule a virtual visit or shop for health essentials all from the comfort of home. Start exploring.