How Much Does Levothyroxine Cost Without Insurance Coverage?

livewell
October 9, 2024
Noah Bennett

Introduction

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a global issue and the number of patients with this medical problem varies according to region and country. In the USA, nearly 5% of adults (aged 12 or above) suffer from this condition. People suffering from this disease may have heard the name levothyroxine, a generic medicine for hypothyroidism.

Levothyroxine treats hypothyroidism by replacing the thyroid hormone. This prescription-only medicine may also prove effective against other thyroid-related problems, including thyroid cancer.

The cost of levothyroxine depends on many factors, such as the location of the buyer, the pharmacy, dose, brand names, etc. Users can reduce levothyroxine cost without insurance by taking a few effective steps.

Levothyroxine Insurance Coverage

FDA initially approved levothyroxine for the treatment of hypothyroidism and related diseases in 2000. Most health insurance plans cover these medications for their intended uses. However, the cost of the medication varies according to the insurance plan. These insurance plans include:

Medicare

Medicare usually covers levothyroxine and other prescription medicines when they are considered medically mandatory. Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D are the plans that cover this medication. Check the detailed plan for further information.

Medicaid

Levothyroxine is generally part of medications covered by Medicaid. However, it is necessary to note the exact name as it may include the brand name or only the generic version of the medication. You should visit the website or contact your state’s Medicaid agency for complete information.

Private Health Insurance

Several private and employer-sponsored health insurance plans also cover levothyroxine. But like Medicaid, they may also include specific brand names or generic medication. For more clarification and information about their policies, you should contact the insurer or human resource department of your employer.

How to Ensure Insurance Covering of Levothyroxine

There are several reasons you need to pay levothyroxine cost without insurance. If you are under insurance coverage but are unsure about the facility of levothyroxine for hypothyroidism, then you can take these steps to get insurance for your desired medication.

Fully Read Your Insurance Plan: The first step is to contact your insurance provider for complete and reliable information about the inclusion of prescription medicines in your plan. Another way to find the exact information is by asking about the presence of the brand name of your medication in your plan.
Visit your Healthcare Professional: The next step is to get a prescription for levothyroxine to include this medicine in your insurance plan. For this purpose, book an appointment with your healthcare professional and ask him about your condition and the potential benefits and suitability of levothyroxine for you.
Get Prior Authorization: Your insurance company may cover levothyroxine only after confirming you have hypothyroidism. In this case, you will need prior authorization from your healthcare professional. This includes verification of your condition and its treatment by levothyroxine.
Appeal after Initial Rejection: You can submit an appeal if your insurance company rejects your initial request for covering levothyroxine in their plan. Before submitting an appeal, review your insurance plan, read the reasons for denial, and then make a strong case by covering these issues effectively.

Generic Levothyroxine vs Brand Name

Levothyroxine is available as a generic and as several brand-name medications. Generic levothyroxine is usually far cheaper than brand names and it may cost 80% or less than various brand names. You may get 30 tablets of generic levothyroxine (25 mcg) for as low as $12. On the other hand, the price range for brand-name medication is from $23 to $173, according to the brand.

Using either generic or brand-name is important for facing levothyroxine cost without insurance. Both generic and brand-name levothyroxine can treat hypothyroidism and are safe, but switching one from the other may be unsafe because of the difference in their inactive ingredients. This can reduce its effectiveness against the disease.

How to Save Money on Levothyroxine

You can save the cost of levothyroxine even in the presence of levothyroxine without insurance by using these methods.

Buy Generic Levothyroxine if Possible

The first method to avoid expenses while using levothyroxine cost without insurance is by using generic medication. Generic levothyroxine is way cheaper than any brand-name medication. However, changing medicines is not always recommended due to differences in inactive agents and their effects on treatment. Therefore, buy and use generic drugs only if your medical practitioner allows it. It can reduce your uninsured medication costs considerably.

Manufacturer Copay Saving Card

You can expect to reduce the levothyroxine cost without insurance even if you use brand-name levothyroxine. Certain brand-name versions of levothyroxine offer saving cards for their customers. You can take advantage of these cards after fulfilling their requirements. Therefore, it is mandatory to view their detailed terms and conditions.

A Prescription Delivery Program

Another way that manufacturers assist in reducing the cost of your medicine is by offering delivery programs. Taking this advantage can significantly reduce your medication rate, according to an offer by a company.

Patient Assistance Program

Many pharmaceutical manufacturers sponsor patient assistance programs (PAPs) for those Americans who are devoid of health insurance programs. These programs usually cover a significant amount of prescription drugs and may also include different formulations of levothyroxine. In the absence of any health insurance, you can opt for PAPs if offered by your pharmaceutical company. However, it is important to know their terms and conditions as some companies may not offer this program to new customers, while others might allow this assistance program only for liquid formulations.

Check Prices at Different Pharmacies

Many patients are unaware that the price of similar medicine is different according to pharmacies. You can visit a relevant website or mobile app to know levothyroxine cost without insurance in varying pharmacies in your area. It will assist you in getting the best possible deal and save a hefty amount on your prescription medication.

Prescription of a 90-day Supply

Purchasing levothyroxine for 90 days can reduce the cost of this medicine as sometimes pharmacies reduce the price of levothyroxine medicines purchased in bulk. However, there are still some points to consider before applying this affordable levothyroxine method. You should make sure of the coverage of your insurance plan before asking for a 90-day prescription from your medical specialist. You may have to follow other rules and regulations in the state you reside.

Alternative Medications

If everything else fails then the last option is to use alternate medicine to treat your medical problem. Levothyroxine is the primary medicine for hypothyroidism but several other medicines for the same disease are also available in the market. It is possible you can get insurance or a price reduction on these medications. You should consult your insurer, medical practitioner, and local pharmacies about the availability and suitability of these medicines according to your illness and insurance plan.

FAQ

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For how long do you need to take levothyroxine?

Levothyroxine is the primary medication for hypothyroidism, a lifelong condition. Therefore, you need to take this medicine your entire life after prescription. Due to this reason, the federal and state governments cover this medicine in their health insurance plans to reduce the monetary burden on patients.

Is prescription mandatory for levothyroxine?

Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) causes many serious problems for patients and levothyroxine is mandatory for them on a long-term basis. However, overtreatment of levothyroxine can have serious side effects, such as decreased bone mineral density, cardiovascular problems, and blood glucose issues. Therefore, the medication is not available freely and can only be used after a prescription by a medical specialist.

What is the treatment cost for hypothyroidism?

According to estimates, each patient suffering from an underactive thyroid has to pay in the range of $460 to $2,555 annually. These include all direct and indirect costs for treating hypothyroidism.

What are the most effective ways to reduce the expenses of hypothyroidism treatment?

The most effective way to reduce the cost of treating underactive thyroid is taking advantage of medical insurance for levothyroxine, the primary medication for this disease. However, there are also other ways you can minimize the cost of this expensive treatment. It may include buying generic levothyroxine, taking a patient assistance program, a prescription delivery program, getting a prescription for a 90-day program, choosing a pharmacy offering the minimum price for medication, or taking an alternative medicine.

Why is there a price difference between generic and brand-name levothyroxine?

Brand-name levothyroxine can be 80% or more expensive than generic levothyroxine. There is also a wide difference between the prices of different brand names. The primary reason behind this difference is inactive ingredients in these medications of various brand names. Therefore, it is mandatory to ask your medical specialist before changing your brand-name levothyroxine to generic levothyroxine.

Is there an alternative to levothyroxine?

Levothyroxine is the primary but not the only medication for hypothyroidism. Other medicines are also available in the market and approved by the FDA. These alternate medicines are usable if approved by your medical practitioner. In certain cases, they may provide economic relief to those not under insurance coverage.