Add insurance to CVS in three steps
You can add your insurance information to your CVS account through the CVS website or the CVS mobile app. Once you add it, CVS will use that insurance when you fill prescriptions, and you'll see your out-of-pocket cost before you pay. The process takes about five minutes and you'll need your insurance card in front of you.
CVS stores your insurance details securely in your account profile. You can update, remove, or add multiple insurance plans whenever you need to. If you don't have insurance or prefer to pay out of pocket, you can skip this step entirely — CVS will still fill your prescriptions.
Key Takeaways
- You need your insurance member ID, group number, and date of birth to add insurance to your CVS account.
- Adding insurance takes about five minutes and can be done on the CVS website or through the CVS mobile app.
- CVS will show you your copay or coinsurance amount before you pay for any prescription.
- You can add multiple insurance plans to one account and switch between them when filling prescriptions.
- If you make a mistake entering your insurance information, you can edit or delete it and try again at any time.
Add insurance through the CVS website
Log in to your CVS account at cvs.com. If you don't have an account yet, create one by entering your email address and a password. Once you're logged in, look for your name or profile icon in the top right corner of the page and click it.
From the dropdown menu, select "Profile" or "Account Settings." Look for a section labeled "Insurance" or "Payment & Insurance." Click the button to add a new insurance plan. You'll see a form asking for your insurance member ID, group number, date of birth, and the name of your insurance company.
Enter each piece of information exactly as it appears on your insurance card. The member ID is usually a long number on the front of your card. The group number is often printed below the member ID or on the back. After you fill in all fields, click "Save" or "Add Insurance." CVS will confirm that your insurance information has been added to your account.
Add insurance through the CVS mobile app
Open the CVS mobile app and log in with your email and password. If you haven't downloaded the app yet, you can find it in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store by searching for "CVS Pharmacy."
Tap the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the bottom right corner of the screen. Select "Profile" or "My Account." Look for "Insurance" or "Payment Methods" and tap "Add Insurance." The form will ask for the same information as the website: member ID, group number, date of birth, and insurance company name.
Type in your information carefully, then tap "Save" or "Add." The app will show a confirmation message. You can now use this insurance when you fill prescriptions through the app or in a CVS store.
What information you need from your insurance card
Before you start, have your insurance card ready. You'll need four pieces of information. The member ID is the primary number on your card — it's usually 10 to 15 digits long and identifies you as a member of that insurance plan. The group number identifies your employer or organization and is often printed below the member ID or on the back of the card.
You'll also need your date of birth in the format CVS asks for (usually MM/DD/YYYY). Finally, you need the name of your insurance company — this is printed on the front of your card and is the company that issued your coverage, not your employer.
If you can't find the group number on your card, call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card and ask for it. They can tell you the exact number to enter. Don't guess or leave it blank, because CVS won't be able to verify your coverage without it.
What happens after you add your insurance
Once your insurance is added, CVS will check your coverage the next time you fill a prescription. When you pick up your medication or view it in your account, you'll see your copay amount or coinsurance percentage. This is what you'll owe out of pocket — CVS will bill the rest to your insurance.
If CVS can't verify your insurance information, you'll see a message saying so. This usually means the information you entered doesn't match what your insurance company has on file. Check that you typed the member ID and group number correctly, then try again. If the problem continues, contact your insurance company to confirm your information is correct.
Your insurance information stays in your account until you remove it. You can add multiple insurance plans — for example, if you have both primary and secondary coverage — and choose which one to use when you fill each prescription.
Update or remove insurance from your account
To change your insurance information, log into your CVS account and go to your profile. Find the insurance section and look for an "Edit" button next to the plan you want to change. Update any information that's incorrect and click "Save."
To remove insurance entirely, go to the same section and click "Delete" or "Remove." CVS will ask you to confirm. Once you remove it, that insurance plan will no longer appear when you fill prescriptions. You can add it back later if you need to.
If you switch insurance plans during the year, add your new insurance to your account right away. You can keep your old insurance information in your account as a backup, or delete it if you won't need it anymore. When you fill your next prescription, make sure you select the correct insurance plan from your list.
Troubleshooting insurance that won't verify
The most common reason CVS can't verify your insurance is a typo in the member ID or group number. Go back and check each digit against your card. Numbers like 0 (zero) and O (the letter O) look similar — make sure you're entering the right one. The same goes for 1 (one) and I (the letter I).
If you've checked the numbers and they're correct, your insurance company's records might not match what you entered. Call the customer service number on the back of your insurance card and ask them to confirm your member ID, group number, and date of birth. Tell them you're trying to add your insurance to a pharmacy account. They can tell you exactly what information is on file.
If your insurance is very new (less than a week old), CVS's system might not have received the information from your insurance company yet. Wait a few days and try again. If you need to fill a prescription before your insurance verifies, you can pay out of pocket and ask CVS to reprocess the claim once your insurance is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to add insurance to my CVS account?
No. You can fill prescriptions at CVS without adding insurance. You'll pay the full price out of pocket, but CVS will show you that price before you pay. If you add insurance later, you can ask CVS to reprocess the prescription to see if your insurance covers it.
Can I add more than one insurance plan to my account?
Yes. You can add multiple plans — for example, if you have primary and secondary coverage, or if you switch plans during the year. When you fill a prescription, you'll choose which insurance to use. This is helpful if you're not sure which plan covers a specific medication.
What if my insurance information changes?
Log into your CVS account, go to your profile, and click "Edit" next to your insurance. Update the information and click "Save." If you got a new insurance card with a different member ID, add it as a new plan rather than editing the old one, so you have a record of both.
Will CVS charge me if my insurance doesn't verify?
CVS will show you the price before you pay. If your insurance doesn't verify, you'll see the full out-of-pocket price. You can choose to pay it, or you can ask CVS to hold your prescription while you contact your insurance company to fix the problem.
Can I remove my insurance and pay out of pocket instead?
Yes. You can delete your insurance from your account at any time. You can also choose to pay out of pocket for individual prescriptions even if you have insurance on file — just tell the pharmacist you want to pay without using insurance. Some people do this if their copay is higher than the cash price.