If you take a daily medication for blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid, or blood sugar, you already know the pharmacy counter can be one of the most frustrating parts of healthcare. Prices change from month to month, coupons come and go, and a deductible can make even a common prescription feel expensive.
At All Care Medical, we think affordable prescriptions should be simple. That is why members of our Direct Primary Care membership have access to a wide variety of generic medications at our wholesale cost. If you are looking for generic medications in Salem, NH without the usual price surprises, here is how it works and why it can make a real difference in your budget.
What Does “Wholesale Cost” Actually Mean?
When you fill a prescription at a retail pharmacy, the price you pay usually includes several layers of markup and fees between the manufacturer and you. As a Direct Primary Care practice, All Care Medical purchases many common generic medications directly and passes them to members at our cost.
In plain terms: you pay what we pay. There is no added markup from our office. The cost of the medication is separate from your membership fee and is paid at the time of service, so you always know exactly what you are paying for.
Are Generic Medications as Good as Brand Name?
This is one of the most common questions we hear. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires generic medications to have the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, and route of administration as the brand-name version, and to work the same way in the body. You can read more on the FDA’s generic drug facts page.
The main differences are usually the name, the color or shape of the pill, and the inactive ingredients. For most people, the biggest practical difference is the price.
How Wholesale Medications Work at All Care Medical
Getting your medication through our office is straightforward:
- Your provider prescribes. During a visit, a virtual appointment, or a medication review, your provider decides what you need.
- We check what we stock. If the medication is one of the many generics we carry, you can often pick it up directly from our office in Salem.
- You pay our cost. The medication is billed separately from your membership at our wholesale price.
- Anything else goes to your pharmacy. For brand-name drugs or medications we do not stock, we send the prescription to your preferred pharmacy, just like any other practice.
Medication refills are also part of your membership, so there is no extra office visit fee just to keep a long-term prescription going. Pair that with routine lab testing done in our office, and it becomes much easier to monitor how a medication is working without extra appointments or bills.
Who Benefits Most?
Wholesale generic medications can help almost anyone, but they tend to make the biggest difference for:
- People managing chronic conditions. Long-term medications add up fast. If you are managing high blood pressure, diabetes, or a thyroid condition, predictable medication costs make it easier to stay consistent with your treatment plan.
- Anyone with a high-deductible health plan. Until your deductible is met, you may be paying close to full price at the pharmacy. Wholesale pricing can soften that hit.
- Self-employed workers and small business owners. When you are buying your own coverage, every monthly expense matters.
- Families. Common short-term generics, such as those used for everyday infections, can be more affordable when the whole family is under one practice.
Staying on your medication is one of the most important parts of chronic disease management. When cost is not a barrier, patients are more likely to take what they need, the way they need it.
Medicare Open Enrollment: A Good Time to Review Your Medications
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, and it is the time of year when many people compare prescription drug coverage for the coming year. Before you choose a plan, it helps to have an up-to-date list of every medication you take, including the dose and how often you take it.
As an All Care Medical member, you can schedule a medication review with your provider to go over that list. We can talk through which medications are still needed, whether a generic option exists, and which ones may be available through our office at wholesale cost. That way, you walk into open enrollment with the full picture. Our providers do not sell or recommend insurance plans, but we can make sure your medication list is accurate.
Do I Still Need Insurance?
Yes. Your Direct Primary Care membership covers primary care services provided in our office, but it is not health insurance. You will still want coverage for specialist visits, hospital care, imaging, emergencies, and brand-name medications we do not stock. If you are curious how the two work together, our article on Direct Primary Care vs. traditional primary care breaks it down.
Wholesale medications simply give you one more way to lower your out-of-pocket costs. Depending on your plan, you may be able to use HSA or FSA funds toward medication costs, so it is worth checking with your plan administrator.
Serving Salem and Southern New Hampshire
All Care Medical is located at 22 Main Street in Salem, NH, and serves patients from across Southern New Hampshire and the Massachusetts border, including Windham, Pelham, Atkinson, Derry, Methuen, and Haverhill. Our members get unlimited routine and sick visits, same-day or next-day appointments, secure virtual visits, 24/7 phone access for urgent needs, and the wholesale medication benefit described above. You can see the full list on our primary care services page.
If rising prescription costs have you rethinking how you pay for healthcare, we would love to talk. Enroll online, contact our office, or call (603) 893-7905 to learn more about Direct Primary Care in Salem, NH.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are prescription medications included in my All Care Medical membership?
Medication refills and prescribing are part of your membership, but the medication itself is an additional cost. Members can buy many common generic medications from our office at our wholesale cost, paid at the time of service.
Does All Care Medical carry every generic medication?
No. We stock a wide variety of commonly prescribed generics. If a medication is not in stock, or if you need a brand-name drug, we send the prescription to your preferred pharmacy.
Is buying generic medications at wholesale cost cheaper than using a pharmacy?
Often, yes. Because there is no markup from our office, wholesale pricing is frequently lower than typical retail pharmacy prices, especially for patients with high deductibles. Your provider can help you compare options.
Can I use my HSA or FSA to pay for medications from All Care Medical?
In many cases, medication costs may be eligible, but rules vary by plan. Check with your HSA or FSA administrator or a tax advisor before using those funds.
I have Medicare. Can I still get wholesale generic medications?
Yes, Medicare patients can join our Direct Primary Care membership and access wholesale generic medications. All Care Medical does not bill Medicare, so you would continue to use your Medicare coverage for services outside our office. Open Enrollment, October 15 through December 7, is a great time to review your medication list with your provider.