How to Actually Save on Diabetes Supplies at Costco (You May Not Need a Membership)

If you've ever assumed you need to swipe a $65-a-year membership card just to save at Costco's pharmacy, it's worth knowing that in most cases, you don't.

Between what actually requires a membership, what doesn't, and where a warehouse club stops being the best deal, there's more nuance here than "just go to Costco" usually accounts for.

You Probably Don't Need a Membership to Fill a Prescription at Costco

Federal and state laws require pharmacies inside membership warehouse clubs to serve non-members for prescription medications.[1]

In practice, that means you can walk up to the pharmacy counter — tell the door greeter you're headed to the pharmacy — fill a prescription, and pay the same price a member would, no card required. Some states go further: California law specifically requires this kind of non-member access, with only a small surcharge allowed.[1]

This applies to insulin and other diabetes prescriptions the same as anything else filled there.

CMPP Is a Different, Membership-Only Discount on Top of That

The pharmacy-access rule above is separate from the Costco Member Prescription Program (CMPP), a cash-pay discount program that does require an active membership.[2] CMPP can push prices down further on medications including insulin, but it comes with a real restriction: it can't be combined with Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance — it's built for people paying out of pocket.[2] 

If insurance already covers your insulin well, CMPP won't add anything for you; if you're paying cash, it's worth comparing against your regular pharmacy price.

Costco Started Selling GLP-1 Medications Without Insurance in 2025

Costco (and Sam's Club) expanded same-day delivery to include refrigerated medications like GLP-1 injections and insulin, available with a valid prescription even without insurance.

The self-pay price is still substantial — around $1,000 a month by some estimates — so it isn't a low-cost option on its own, but it's one more channel worth comparing against a manufacturer's direct-purchase program or your regular pharmacy.

Diabetes Supplies Are a Different Story — Check the Price First

Costco's pharmacy area also carries diabetes supplies like glucometers, test strips, and pen needles, and this is where the "Costco is always cheaper" assumption gets shakier. A 90-count box of Embecta Nano 2nd Gen pen needles, for one recent example, has been priced at roughly $58 to $69 at Costco — not obviously a better deal than ordering a comparable pen needle directly.

Sensifine's 4mm × 32G needles run $17.99 for the same 100 count, as one point of comparison. The bulk-pricing math that makes a warehouse club worth it for paper towels doesn't automatically carry over to a specialty item stocked in only a couple of brands.

None of this means skip Costco.

The prescription and insulin savings above are real and worth using. It just means treating pen needles and similar supplies as their own line item worth a quick price check, rather than an assumed win just because they're sold in the same building.

FAQ

Do I really not need a membership to fill a prescription at Costco?

Correct, in general. Pharmacies inside membership clubs are legally required to serve non-members for prescriptions, so you can fill one and pay the standard price without joining.[1]

Does CMPP work with my insurance?

No. CMPP is designed for cash-pay situations and specifically excludes anyone using Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance for that prescription.[2]

Do I need a membership to buy diabetic supplies like pen needles at Costco?

Usually, yes. Unlike prescription filling, items like pen needles and test strips are typically stocked as regular retail merchandise rather than dispensed through the protected pharmacy-access rule, so you'll likely need a membership (or a member's Shop Card) to buy them in-store. If you're not a member, ordering supplies online is often simpler.

Is a Costco membership worth it just for diabetes supplies?

It depends on the specific item. Prescriptions and insulin can be genuinely cheaper, membership or not. For individual supplies like pen needles, it's worth comparing the Costco price against buying directly before assuming the warehouse club wins.

 

Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and isn't medical, financial, or insurance advice. Membership rules, program terms, and prices vary by location and change over time — confirm current details with your local Costco pharmacy or membership services, and talk to your prescribing care team about your specific medications and supplies.

Source:

1. ConsumerAffairs. The Costco Pharmacy: How It Works, What It Costs, and Who Should Use It. consumeraffairs.com. https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/the-costco-pharmacy-how-it-works-what-it-costs-and-who-should-use-it-021026.html
2. Costco Wholesale. Costco Member Prescription Program (CMPP). costco.com. https://www.costco.com/member-prescription-program.html