How much is Advair HFA without insurance?

In this article:

• Generic Advair HFA
• Is Advair HFA covered by insurance?
• Cost without insurance
• How to get Advair HFA without insurance

In this article

• Generic Advair HFA
• Is Advair HFA covered by insurance?
• Cost without insurance
• How to get Advair HFA without insurance

Advair HFA is an aerosol inhaler that is approved by the FDA as a maintenance treatment for asthma in adolescents aged 12 years and older and adults. It should not be used for an asthma attack or to treat acute asthma symptoms. It combines two long-acting asthma drugs, fluticasone, a corticosteroid, and salmeterol, a long-acting bronchodilator. Without health insurance, Advair HFA costs more than $500 per month, but insurance usually covers either the brand-name or the generic version. Those without insurance can lower their out-of-pocket cost by buying the generic version, comparing pharmacy prices, switching to another maintenance treatment, or using a SingleCare discount coupon.

What is the generic for Advair HFA?

The generic version of Advair HFA is fluticasone-salmeterol HFA.

Is Advair HFA covered by insurance?

Advair HFA is generally covered by commercial insurance and Medicare Part D, but coverage varies. Generic Advair HFA is nearly always covered without restrictions, so the pharmacy may substitute it for the generic version if the prescriber allows it. 

Medicaid coverage varies by state, but most people with Medicaid have coverage for Advair HFA. In fact, brand-name Advair HFA is often preferred by Medicaid plans over its generic version, which some Medicaid programs consider a non-preferred drug. In some states, such as New York, patients may receive brand-name Advair HFA even when they have a prescription for the generic version.

How much does Advair HFA cost without insurance?

The average retail price of Advair HFA is $507 per 1, 12 gm of 115-21 mcg/act aerosol inhaler, though prices vary by dosage strength and pharmacy. At $507 per month, each twice-daily dose costs slightly less than $9, or $17 per day. Sustaining that cost over the long-term may be challenging, since it adds up to about $6,000 per year. That’s in addition to the cost of other necessary asthma medications, such as rescue inhalers.

Switching to generic Advair HFA may not save much money since it costs about $503 per 1, 250-50 mcg/act 60-dose aerosol inhaler. That’s a bigger dosage strength, but the price for a lower dosage strength is only tens of dollars less. Similar inhalation aerosol combinations of a corticosteroid and long-acting bronchodilator cost about the same as Advair HFA, give or take a few tens of dollars. 

RELATED: Advair alternatives: What can I take instead of Advair? 

How to get Advair HFA without insurance

Paying full price for brand-name Advair HFA can add up to $6,000 per year, so many patients may be eager to lower that price. GSK (formerly GlaxoSmithKline), the manufacturer, offers coupons, but many people do not meet the eligibility requirements. So, let’s look at a few more dependable ways to reduce the cost:

1. Use a SingleCare discount card

A SingleCare prescription discount card can lower the price of Advair HFA to as low as $291 for the generic version at CVS Pharmacy. That means savings of up to $216 per month and over $2,500 per year. Save even more by signing up for SingleCare’s bonus loyalty program. 

2. Compare prices at different pharmacies

The price of the Advair HFA inhaler varies by pharmacy, sometimes by tens of dollars. Shopping around can save some money, especially when adding a SingleCare Advair HFA discount card.

3. Switch to the Advair HFA generic

It may be cheaper to fill the generic version of Advair HFA under many insurance plans. Check with your insurance company to see the expected copay. Additionally, switching to generic Advair HFA can save up to $216 per month, or $2,500 per year, when using a SingleCare coupon.

4. Get medical advice about other medications

Switching to a different medication is a tried-and-true strategy for saving money, but it doesn’t save that significantly for long-acting corticosteroid-bronchodilator inhalers, even when factoring in SingleCare discounts. One alternative is to switch to an asthma maintenance pill, Singulair (montelukast sodium). At about $9 for a 90-day supply, the generic version is significantly cheaper than steroid-bronchodilator inhalers, but it’s a big change that may not work, so get medical advice from your healthcare provider.

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