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Key takeaways
ADHD medication prices can vary significantly depending on factors such as whether you are using a brand-name or generic drug—as well as dosage, quantity, and pharmacy location.
Most insurance plans, including Medicaid and Medicare, cover a portion of ADHD medication costs. However, coverage levels may differ based on whether the medication is brand-name or generic, and some plans may require prior authorization or have specific formulary restrictions.
There are ways to save, including using free discount cards like SingleCare, comparing pharmacy prices, and asking your provider about cheaper alternatives or patient assistance programs
As the prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) continues to increase, so does the demand for ADHD medication. The global ADHD drug market is expected to reach $18.6 billion by 2030, according to a report by Grand View Research. With more than 6 million children in the United States alone diagnosed with ADHD, and 77% of those cases medicated, it’s no wonder the market is booming.
But, what does all this growth mean for the consumer? Are ADHD medications becoming more affordable, or are they getting pricier? Let’s look at ADHD medication prices, whether insurance typically covers their cost, and ways to save money on your necessary prescriptions.
Does insurance cover ADHD medication?
“ADHD is categorized as a mental disorder,” says Lea McMahon, LPC, the chief clinical officer at Symetria Recovery. “This disorder becomes prevalent in the early years of an individual and may continue into adulthood. ADHD affects your physical behavior, for example, how you sit or pay attention to a specific task.” Because ADHD can affect quality of life so significantly, one would expect insurance to pay for ADHD medication.
The good news is that most insurance plans (including Medicaid and Medicare) with prescription drug coverage will cover a percentage of the cost of ADHD medication.
If a generic version of a drug is available, the insurance plan is more likely to cover the generic and not the brand-name drug. For example, your plan may cover amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (generic Adderall), but not brand-name Adderall. Newer drugs, such as Qelbree, don’t have generic versions available yet and are less likely to be covered by insurance.
In some cases, especially in cases of brand-name drugs with no generic alternative, insurance requires prior authorization before covering ADHD medication. This means your healthcare provider will need to provide information to the insurance company about why you need the medication and how it will be used to treat your health condition. Prior authorization is often required by Medicaid for children who have been prescribed ADHD medication.
Health insurance companies have their own rules and regulations for ADHD medication coverage. Each plan has a list of covered drugs, called a formulary. Some plans don’t provide insurance coverage for certain ADHD medications or may require you to try a different medication first. You’ll either have to submit an appeal for coverage or ask your healthcare provider to switch to a medication that is included in your plan’s formulary.
| Drug name | Cost per month | Cost per pill | Free coupons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stimulants | |||
| Adderall | $828 per 60, 20 mg tablets | $14 per 20 mg tablet | See latest prices |
| Generic Adderall (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine) | $127 per 60, 20 mg tablets | $2 per 20 mg tablet | See latest prices |
| Adderall XR | $346 per 30, 30 mg capsules | $12 per 30 mg capsule | See latest prices |
| Generic Adderall XR (amphetamine-dextroamphetamine ER) | $254 per 30, 30 mg capsules | $8 per 30 mg capsule | See latest prices |
| Generic Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine sulfate ER) | $201 per 30, 15 mg capsules | $7 per 15 mg capsule | See latest prices |
| Generic Focalin (dexmethylphenidate HCl) | $67 per 30, 10 mg tablets | $2 per 10 mg tablet | See latest prices |
| Focalin XR | $478 per 30, 30 mg capsules | $16 per 30 mg capsule | See latest prices |
| Generic Focalin XR (dexmethylphenidate HCl ER) | $307 per 30, 10 mg capsules | $10 per 10 mg capsule | See latest prices |
| Ritalin | $137 per 60, 20 mg tablets | $2 per 20 mg tablet | See latest prices |
| Generic Ritalin (methylphenidate HCl) | $103 per 60, 20 mg tablets | $2 per 20 mg tablet | See latest prices |
| Ritalin LA | $455 per 30, 20 mg capsules | $15 per 20 mg capsule | See latest prices |
| Generic Ritalin LA (methylphenidate HCl ER) | $392 per 30, 20 mg capsules | $13 per 20 mg capsule | See latest prices |
| Concerta | $643 per 30, 36 mg tablets | $21 per 36 mg tablet | See latest prices |
| Generic Concerta (methylphenidate HCl ER) | $389 per 30, 36 mg tablets | $13 per 36 mg tablet | See latest prices |
| Vyvanse | $553 per 30, 30 mg capsules | $18 per 30 mg capsule | See latest prices |
| Generic Vyvanse | $440 per 30, 30 mg capsules | $15 per 30 mg capsule | See latest prices |
| Non-stimulants | |||
| Strattera | $553 per 30, 60 mg capsules | $18 per 40 mg capsule | See latest prices |
| Generic Strattera (atomoxetine HCl) | $469 per 30, 40 mg capsules | $15 per 40 mg capsule | See latest prices |
| Generic Kapvay | $171 per 30, 0.1 mg tablets | $5 per 0.1 mg tablet | See latest prices |
| Intuniv | $360 per 30, 2 mg tablets | $12 per 2 mg tablet | See latest prices |
| Generic Intuniv (guanfacine HCl ER) | $260 per 30, 2 mg tablets | $9 per 2 mg tablet | See latest prices |
| Qelbree | $527 per 30, 200 mg capsules | $17 per 200 mg capsule | See latest prices |
| Antidepressants (off-label use for ADHD) | |||
| Wellbutrin XL | $3,515 per 30, 300 mg tablets | $117 per 300 mg tablet | See latest prices |
| Generic Wellbutrin XL | $142 per 30, 150 mg tablets | $5 per 150 mg tablet | See latest prices |
| Generic Norpramin (desipramine HCl) | $53 per 30, 25 mg tablets | $2 per 25 mg tablet | See latest prices |
| Pamelor | $1,382 per 30, 25 mg capsules | $46 per 25 mg capsule | See latest prices |
| Generic Pamelor (nortriptyline) | $37 per 30, 25 mg capsules | $1 per 25 mg capsule | See latest prices |
| Other off-label drugs | |||
| Provigil | $1,749 per 30, 100 mg tablets | $58 per 100 mg tablet | See latest prices |
| Generic Provigil (modafinil) | $546 per 30, 100 mg tablets | $18 per 100 mg tablet | See latest prices |
* Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at time of publishing.
How much does ADHD medication cost with insurance?
Before insurance kicks in, prices can be quite high for ADHD medications—even generic ones. For example, a prescription for 60, 20 mg tablets of generic Adderall costs about $127 without insurance, although prices will vary by dosage and quantity as well as the pharmacy location.
Commercial insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid may not completely cover the cost of your prescription. The cost of ADHD medication with insurance will likely be higher before you reach your plan’s deductible. After you reach your deductible, your insurance will probably pay more or even completely cover the cost of your medication for the rest of the calendar year.
Another factor that affects ADHD medication prices with insurance is your plan’s formulary. The formulary ranks drugs in a tier system. The higher the tier, the more you’ll pay for the drug. Generic medications are usually lower-tier drugs and, therefore, have a lower copay or coinsurance. Brand-name drugs are typically higher tier and more expensive.
How much does ADHD medication cost without insurance?
There are several types of FDA-approved drugs used for ADHD treatment. Each type of medication works a bit differently and has its own set of side effects. The cost of ADHD medication varies depending on the type of drug and the prescribed dosage. Common drug classes used to treat ADHD include stimulants, non-stimulants, antidepressants, and other drugs used off-label.
“Stimulants have shown promising results when treating individuals with ADHD,” explains Dr. McMahon. “Ritalin, Adderall, and Dexedrine are classified under this category.” Most stimulants are available in affordable generic versions and extended-release formulations.
RELATED: Vyvanse vs. Ritalin
Some extended-release ADHD medications are taken once a day, whereas immediate-release ADHD meds may be taken two or three times a day. The cost of ADHD medication can increase with the frequency of doses. For example, a one-month supply of immediate-release Adderall can contain up to 90 tablets, whereas a one-month supply of extended-release Adderall (Adderall XR) contains just 30 capsules.
Use the ADHD medication price chart to compare prices of popular prescriptions. The most expensive stimulant medication without insurance is brand-name Concerta.
The cheapest stimulant listed is generic Focalin, which costs $67 per 30, 10 mg tablets or about $2 per 10 mg tablet.
How to save on ADHD medication costs
There are several strategies people with ADHD can use to save money on medication costs.
1. Use SingleCare
SingleCare offers discounts on prescription medications at no cost to you. By using SingleCare’s prescription discount card, you can save up to 80% on the cost of your ADHD medication. For example, 30, 10 mg tablets of generic Focalin costs as low as $11 with a SingleCare coupon. That’s $56 in savings. Anyone with a valid prescription can use SingleCare’s free drug coupons at a participating pharmacy regardless of insurance status or income level.
2. Compare prices of ADHD medications at different pharmacies
The cost of ADHD medications can vary significantly from pharmacy to pharmacy. There are many treatment options available for ADHD. By comparing prices, you may find a more affordable option. Search for your prescription on singlecare.com to compare drug prices at participating pharmacies near you.
3. Check the drug’s manufacturer’s site for rebates
Drug manufacturers may sometimes offer a rebate or voucher to help offset the cost of their medications. This is especially true for newer, brand-name medications that recently entered the market. However, manufacturer coupons typically have strict eligibility requirements or are limited to a certain dollar amount, so be sure to read the fine print.
4. Ask your healthcare provider for an alternative medication
If you’re taking an expensive ADHD medication, ask your provider for medical advice about affordable alternatives or generic medications that may be available.
5. Find patient assistance programs
There are several patient assistance programs available that can help offset the cost of ADHD medication. Programs vary in terms of who is eligible and what’s covered.
Other ADHD costs to consider
Aside from the hefty expense of ADHD medications, there are other costs associated with ADHD treatment. It could take months or years to get a diagnosis, and finding the right medication and dosage can be costly and time-consuming.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is helpful for most mental health disorders. As of 2022, 2.8 million children with ADHD in the U.S. were receiving behavioral treatment, which was an increase compared to 2.5 million children in 2016. The average cost of therapy without insurance in the U.S. is about $100 to $250 per session. Copay costs vary per plan and deductible, and some patients may need to pay the entire cost of the visit until the deductible is reached.
Most people who are on medication for ADHD need frequent check-ups, often every three months. The cost of these appointments can add up quickly, especially for those with a high-deductible insurance plan or no insurance at all.
According to a study in the Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy, unemployment costs were about $66.8 billion, and productivity loss costs were estimated to be $28.8 billion in U.S. adults with ADHD from 2017 to 2018.
ADHD treatment can be expensive, but there are ways to save money. By comparing prices at different pharmacies, using SingleCare, or checking for rebates from the drug manufacturer, people with ADHD can find more affordable options. Understanding other costs associated with ADHD treatment—such as therapy and testing—can help to plan for the overall expenses related to this condition and its treatment.
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- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder market to reach $18.6 billion by 2030, Grand View Research (2024)
- State Medicaid policies prescribing ADHD medications to children, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Data and Statistics on ADHD, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024)
- Economic burden of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder among adults in the United States: A societal perspective, Journal of Managed Care & Specialty Pharmacy (2021)