Where to find the insurance section on CVS.com

CVS stores your insurance information in your account profile, not during checkout. You add it once, and it stays there for future visits. To reach this section, log into your CVS account at CVS.com, then click your name or profile icon in the top right corner and select "Account" or "My Account" from the dropdown menu.

Once you're in your account, look for a section labeled "Insurance Information," "Payment Methods," or "Pharmacy Insurance." The exact name varies depending when CVS last updated their website layout, but it will be grouped with other payment and delivery settings, not buried in a separate area. If you cannot find it when ready, use the search function within your account (usually a magnifying glass icon) and type "insurance."

If you do not yet have a CVS account, you will need to create one first. Click "Sign Up" at the top of CVS.com, enter your email address and a password, and follow the prompts to add your basic information. Once your account is created and you are logged in, the insurance section will be available to you.

Key Takeaways

  • Insurance information is stored in your CVS account profile under a section labeled "Insurance Information" or "Pharmacy Insurance," not during the checkout process.
  • You need a CVS.com account to add insurance details; if you do not have one, create it first by clicking "Sign Up" and entering your email and password.
  • Your insurance information stays saved after you add it, so you only need to enter it once unless you change plans or carriers.
  • You will need your insurance card handy when you add the information, including your member ID, group number, and the insurance company name.
  • If CVS cannot find your insurance in their system, you can still use your account to order prescriptions and pay out of pocket, then submit the receipt to your insurance company yourself.

What information you need before you start

Gather your insurance card before you begin. You will need the member ID (sometimes called the subscriber ID), which is usually a long number on the front of the card. You will also need the group number, which is often printed below the member ID or on the back of the card. Write down the name of your insurance company exactly as it appears on the card.

If you have a secondary insurance plan (coverage that kicks in after your primary plan pays), you will need that card's information as well. CVS allows you to add multiple insurance plans to your account. Some people have both medical insurance and a separate prescription drug plan, so check whether your coverage is split this way before you start.

If you cannot find your physical card, log into your insurance company's website or call the customer service number on any paperwork you received when you enrolled. They can provide your member ID and group number over the phone or through your online account. Do not guess at these numbers — entering incorrect information will cause your prescriptions to be rejected or billed incorrectly.

Step-by-step: Adding your primary insurance

After you log into your CVS account and navigate to the insurance section, click "Add Insurance" or a button labeled "+ Add." CVS will ask you to choose whether you are adding pharmacy insurance, medical insurance, or both. For most people ordering prescriptions through CVS, you want "Pharmacy Insurance." Click that option.

Next, CVS will show you a list of insurance companies. Start typing your insurance company's name in the search box — for example, "Aetna," "Blue Cross," or "United Healthcare." As you type, CVS will narrow the list to matching companies. Click your company when it appears. If your company does not appear in the list after you type the full name, your plan may be a regional or employer-specific plan that CVS does not recognize; in that case, look for an option that says "Not Listed" or "Other" and select it.

Once you have selected your insurance company, enter your member ID in the field labeled "Member ID" or "Subscriber ID." Then enter your group number in the next field. Some insurance plans do not have a group number — if the field is optional (marked with an asterisk or labeled "optional"), you can leave it blank. Click "Save" or "Continue" when you have entered both pieces of information.

CVS will verify your information against their system. If the verification succeeds, you will see a confirmation message and your insurance will appear in your account. If verification fails, CVS will tell you that the information could not be matched. This does not mean you entered it wrong — it usually means CVS does not have that specific plan in their system. You can still use your account to order prescriptions and pay out of pocket, then submit your receipt to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Adding a secondary insurance plan

If you have a secondary insurance plan, return to the insurance section of your account after you have added your primary plan. Click "Add Insurance" again and follow the same steps: select "Pharmacy Insurance," search for your secondary insurance company, and enter the member ID and group number from that card.

When you fill a prescription, CVS will bill your primary insurance first. If your primary insurance denies the claim or only covers part of the cost, CVS will automatically send the remaining balance to your secondary insurance. You do not need to do anything extra — just make sure both plans are saved in your account.

If you have questions about which plan is primary and which is secondary, call the customer service number on your secondary insurance card. They can tell you the order in which the plans should be billed. This matters because billing them in the wrong order can result in higher out-of-pocket costs or claims being denied.

What happens after you save your insurance

Once your insurance information is saved, it will automatically appear when you order a prescription through CVS.com or the CVS app. When you add a prescription to your cart, CVS will show you the price your insurance will cover and what you owe out of pocket. This estimate is based on your insurance plan and your deductible status, though the final amount may vary depending on your plan's specific rules.

Your saved insurance information also applies when you pick up prescriptions at a CVS pharmacy in person. The pharmacist will pull up your account using your phone number or email address and will see your insurance details automatically. You do not need to provide your insurance card every time, though it is still a good idea to carry it with you.

If you change insurance plans or switch to a different carrier, return to the insurance section of your account and update the information. You can delete old insurance plans by clicking the trash icon or "Remove" button next to them. CVS will then use your new insurance information for all future prescriptions.

Troubleshooting: What to do if your insurance will not save

If CVS tells you that your insurance information could not be verified, first double-check that you entered your member ID and group number correctly. Compare what you typed to your physical insurance card character by character — even one wrong number will cause the verification to fail. If you find a mistake, go back and correct it, then try saving again.

If the information is correct but CVS still cannot verify it, your insurance plan may not be in CVS's system yet. This sometimes happens with new plans, regional plans, or employer-specific plans. In this case, you have two options: you can still order prescriptions through CVS and pay out of pocket, then submit your receipt and a copy of your insurance card to your insurance company for reimbursement. Alternatively, you can call CVS customer service at the number on the CVS.com website and ask them to manually add your insurance information to your account.

If you see an error message that says your account is locked or that you need to verify your identity, CVS may be asking you to confirm your personal information for security reasons. Follow the on-screen prompts to verify your email address or phone number, then try adding your insurance again. If the problem persists, contact CVS customer service — they can unlock your account and help you add your insurance over the phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to add insurance information to order prescriptions on CVS.com?

No. You can order prescriptions and pay the full price out of pocket without adding insurance. However, adding your insurance information usually lowers your cost because CVS will bill your insurance company first and you will only pay your copay or coinsurance amount. If you do not add insurance, you will pay the full retail price.

Can I use a different insurance plan for different prescriptions?

No. CVS will use the primary insurance plan you have saved in your account for all prescriptions. If you have multiple insurance plans, CVS will bill them in order (primary first, then secondary). You cannot choose which plan to use for a specific prescription through the website. If you need to use a different plan, contact CVS customer service or visit a pharmacy in person and tell the pharmacist which insurance to use.

What if my insurance company is not on the CVS list?

Select "Not Listed" or "Other" when you search for your insurance company. Enter your member ID and group number in the fields provided. CVS will not be able to verify your information automatically, but you can still save it to your account. When you order a prescription, you will pay out of pocket, and you can then submit your receipt to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Will adding insurance to my CVS account affect my medical insurance coverage?

No. Adding pharmacy insurance information to your CVS account only tells CVS which plan to bill when you order prescriptions. It does not change your coverage, your deductible, or your benefits. Your insurance company has no way of knowing you added the information to CVS unless you actually fill a prescription and CVS submits a claim.

How long does it take for my insurance information to be verified?

Most of the time, CVS verifies your insurance information when ready when you click "Save." If verification is successful, you will see a confirmation message right away. If CVS cannot verify your information when ready, it may take a few hours or up to one business day for the system to process it. You can still order prescriptions during this time — CVS will use the information you provided even if verification is still pending.