Does Kaiser cover Contrave?

In this article:

• Does Kaiser cover Contrave?
• Contrave without insurance
• Contrave cost with Kaiser
• How to check your coverage
• How to save

In this article

• Does Kaiser cover Contrave?
• Contrave without insurance
• Contrave cost with Kaiser
• How to check your coverage
• How to save

Most Kaiser Permanente plans don’t cover Contrave (naltrexone/bupropion), a brand-name weight loss drug. However, coverage will depend on the plan, with some plans offering coverage at a higher cost. When a Kaiser plan does cover Contrave, it usually requires prior authorization first. Contrave is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for long-term weight management in adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, and in adults with a BMI of 27 to 29 who have at least one weight-related condition, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or Type 2 diabetes. Like other weight loss medications, it isn’t always covered by health insurance.

Does Kaiser cover Contrave?

Prescription drug coverage varies by plan. Most Kaiser plans don’t cover Contrave, but we found a few exceptions: 

• Most Kaiser Permanente of Georgia plans
• The Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) Program 
• The Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine student/dependent plan

When Kaiser covers Contrave, it usually requires prior authorization, which means your healthcare provider will answer a few questions from the insurance company. Kaiser will then use that information to approve or deny your claim. When it comes to prescription weight-loss drugs like Contrave, insurance companies sometimes require patients to try a strict diet and exercise program first.

Medicare generally doesn’t cover prescription weight-loss drugs, so Kaiser Permanente Medicare plans don’t cover Contrave. A temporary Medicare program launching in July 2026 covers certain GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, for some members, but it doesn’t include Contrave.

Medicaid coverage is determined at the state level and is often limited. Kaiser Permanente offers Medicaid plans in states like Colorado, Hawaii, Maryland, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington. Unfortunately, Contrave isn’t covered by Medicaid in these states.

How much is Contrave without insurance?

Without insurance, Contrave costs an average of almost $840 per 120, 8 mg/90 mg tablets. Drug prices fluctuate and vary by pharmacy and location. You’ll start taking just one Contrave tablet once per day and slowly increase the dose to two tablets twice per day. So, 120 tablets are about a 30-day supply. 

How much does Contrave cost with Kaiser?

The cost of Contrave with Kaiser Permanente depends on your plan’s cost-sharing structure.

For example, with a Kaiser Permanente of Georgia 2 Tier plan, you’d pay up to a $30 copay or 40% coinsurance for Contrave. With a Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington Federal FEHB plan, most non-specialty formulary drugs range from $20 to $100 per 30-day supply.

How to check whether your Kaiser plan covers Contrave 

To check whether your Kaiser plan covers Contrave, call the customer service number on your Kaiser Permanente insurance card. A representative can look up your plan information and help you understand your insurance coverage and copays.

Or, log in to your Kaiser Permanente customer portal and look for the drug list. This document lists all prescription medications Kaiser covers. If Contrave is on the list, note its tier number. Then navigate to your Summary of Benefits document to see how much you owe out of pocket for that drug tier. Sometimes insurance cards include this information as well.

Drug formularies (also called preferred drug lists) may change at any time. If you have a printed or saved copy of the formulary, it could be out of date. Following the steps above ensures you’re looking at an accurate drug list. 

Note that even if your health insurance plan doesn’t cover Contrave, your healthcare provider can submit an exception request if they believe Contrave is medically necessary. There’s no guarantee that Kaiser Permanente will allow the exception, but it’s worth a try.

How to save on Contrave

You don’t have to pay full price for Contrave if your Kaiser plan doesn’t cover it. “As someone who’s been on both sides of the exam room and the pharmacy counter, I know firsthand how tough it can be to afford medications like Contrave. The good news is, there are ways to cut costs if you know where to look,” says Thomas George, Jr., DNP, a family nurse practitioner, doctor of nursing practice, and clinic director at Wellspring Weight and Wellness in Shelley, Idaho. 

Here are three ways to save on Contrave.

1. SingleCare prescription discount card

Save more than $200 on a one-month supply of Contrave with a SingleCare prescription discount card. It’s completely free and is accepted at pharmacies across the country. 

To find a SingleCare coupon, type Contrave into the search box at the top of the SingleCare website or app. Then, enter your ZIP code to see how much you’ll pay at nearby pharmacies. Click the “Get Free Coupon” button next to your preferred pharmacy to get your unique coupon code. You can create a free SingleCare account to save the coupon digitally, or you can print, email, or text it. 

When you pick up your Contrave prescription, show the pharmacy staff your SingleCare code and enjoy the savings. 

Dr. George recommends that his patients check discount sites like SingleCare to compare prices. “I often see the same medication is half the price just down the street. Don’t be afraid to speak up and shop around. You deserve care that works and fits your budget,” he says.

2. Manufacturer’s savings card

Currax Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Contrave, has a savings program that can limit your out-of-pocket expenses if your Kaiser Permanente Plan doesn’t cover Contrave. The program has eligibility requirements and maximum savings limits. 

3. Alternatives to Contrave

Your Kaiser Permanente plan may cover other weight loss drugs besides Contrave.

 For example, Colorado commercial HMO plans don’t cover Contrave but do cover the following:

• Diethylpropion (generic Tenuate)
• Phentermine/topiramate (generic Qsymia)
• Brand-name Qsymia

Although they’ve risen in popularity, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists like Saxenda (liraglutide), Wegovy (semaglutide), and Zepbound (tirzepatide) tend to be more expensive than Contrave, although a generic version of Saxenda is now available. Insurance companies often don’t cover GLP-1 receptor agonists unless they’re used to treat Type 2 diabetes. In that case, the medications are sold under different brand names (Victoza, Ozempic, and Mounjaro, respectively). 

If your plan doesn’t cover any weight loss medications or your healthcare provider doesn’t believe the covered options are right for you, they can help you select the safest and most effective option that fits your budget. SingleCare discount cards reduce your out-of-pocket expenses so you never have to pay the full retail price.