Grocery delivery service Instacart has been a mainstay for people looking to have their food brought to their doorsteps during the coronavirus pandemic. Now, the company is expanding its offerings by working with Costco pharmacy to deliver prescriptions.
Instacart Teams With Costco Pharmacy for Prescription Delivery
Instacart just announced the news, which makes prescription delivery available to Costco customers in select markets. Here are four things we know so far about the new service.
1. Where Is the Service Available?
Instacart says that it has been piloting the Costco pharmacy delivery option at some stores in California and Washington state. Now, the service has expanded to nearly 200 Costco pharmacies.
Here are the states where the program is currently operating:
- Arizona
- California
- Delaware
- Florida
- Illinois
- New York
- Washington
- Washington D.C
If you’re in one of the eight states mentioned above and wondering if your local Costco is participating, enter your zip code on Instacart’s website or mobile app.
Instacart says the service will roll out nationally “in the coming months.”
2. How Does the Service Work?
Instacart says that customers will receive a text message from their Costco pharmacy when their prescription is ready. The text will contain a link with the option to schedule their prescription for delivery.
Once you click the link, you’ll be redirected to Costco’s site, where you can confirm your prescription
Once logged in to your Costco account, you will have the option to add groceries and other purchases to your order, Instacart says.
When the delivery person shows up at your door, they’ll ask you for proof of identity, which can be provided by scanning your ID. At checkout, you’ll also have to confirm that you are over the age of 18.
3. How Far in Advance Can You Schedule Prescription Delivery?
Using Instacart, Costco customers will be able to schedule delivery up to one week in advance.
“To ensure customers receive their prescription in a timely manner, Instacart recommends customers schedule their delivery as soon as they receive notification that their medication is available for pickup,” Instacart says.
4. How Does Instacart Compare With Other Prescription Delivery Services?
Here’s how Instacart stacks up against some other popular prescription delivery services.
| Service | Cost | Same-Day Delivery |
| CVS Health | Home delivery fees have been waived | Yes |
| Walgreens | Free with standard online shipping or if you sign up for Express Delivery | Yes |
| Amazon PillPack | Service and shipping are free | No |
| Walmart | Free standard shipping with all mail order requests. Call 1-800-2REFILL for details | No |
Final Thoughts
By partnering with Costco pharmacies, Instacart aims to make it easy to get your prescription drugs without leaving your home. But don’t forget, the best way to save money on prescription drugs is to compare prices using apps like GoodRx or RxSaver.
Learn more about the best prescription drug apps to save money on your next prescription!
