Key takeaways
Most insurance plans cover some formulation and dosage of buprenorphine, but coverage varies widely by plan.
Generic buprenorphine is available as a patch applied to the skin, under the brand name Butrans. It is also available as a dissolvable film under the brand name Belbuca.
Without insurance, the average cost of a single buprenorphine patch is around $125, or around $500 per month (for a one-patch-per-week treatment plan).
There are ways to save money on a generic buprenorphine patch prescription, including using a SingleCare discount or government programs.
Buprenorphine is a synthetic opioid medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat acute or chronic pain and opioid addiction. It’s a controlled substance and is available only by prescription. It’s sold as a generic medication and under several brand names in different formulations, including Belbuca and Butrans.
Although most insurance plans cover medications for opioid use disorder (OUD) to some degree, that coverage varies by formulation and dosage. Here’s what you should know if you need to budget for the cost of buprenorphine without insurance.
Forms of buprenorphine
Buprenorphine comes in several forms, including transdermal patches placed on the skin, films dissolved in the mouth, and as injections given by a healthcare professional. In some forms, like Suboxone, buprenorphine is combined with another opioid treatment drug, like naloxone. Transdermal patches contain only buprenorphine and are sold as either generic buprenorphine or brand-name Butrans. Patches are usually applied once a week and are prescribed in different dosages.
According to Chad Elkin, MD, addiction medicine physician and founder and president at National Addiction Specialists, buprenorphine is most commonly prescribed to reduce opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for opioid use disorder (OUD).
How much does buprenorphine cost without insurance?
Without insurance, the average cost per box of four 10-microgram patches is around $506, which is a one-month supply for anyone using one patch per week. At that price, each patch would cost just over $125, and the annual out-of-pocket expense would be over $6,000. This is an important consideration for people considering buprenorphine, as many people receiving treatment for OUD need to be on buprenorphine for several months or years before they are able to taper off this medication.
Dr. Elkin says several factors can influence your out-of-pocket expense for buprenorphine, including:
- Brand-name versus generic formulations (like buprenorphine versus Butrans)
- Your dosage strength and frequency (i.e., if you need to apply two patches per week instead of one)
- Your pharmacy’s cash pricing
- Any manufacturer discount programs or coupons available to you
Buprenorphine brand name versions
Generic buprenorphine is available in the form of transdermal patches applied to your skin once per week. The brand-name version of buprenorphine patches is called Butrans. Buprenorphine is also available in other formulations, like oral medications and injections, under different brand names, including:
- Belbuca, a form of buprenorphine dissolved against the inside of your cheek (buccal film)
- Brixadi, an injectable form of buprenorphine
- Sublocade, an injectable form of buprenorphine
- Suboxone, a buccal film containing buprenorphine and naloxone
Compare buprenorphine prices to brand-name versions |
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Drug name | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Savings options |
Generic buprenorphine | $506 per box of 4, 10 mcg patches of generic buprenorphine | $65 per 4, 10 mcg patches | See latest prices |
Belbuca | $873 for 1 box of 60, 300 mcg buccal films | $154 for 1 box of 60, 300 mcg buccal films | See latest prices |
Brixadi | $2,377 for 1, 1 mL of 128 mg/0.36 mL syringe | $1,726 for 1, 1 mL of 128 mg/0.36 mL syringe | See latest prices |
Butrans | $592 per box of 4, 10 mcg patches | $65 per box of 4, 10 mcg patches | See latest prices |
Sublocade | $2,810 for 1, 1.5 mL of 300 mg/1.5 mL syringe | $2,078 for 1, 1.5 mL of 300 mg/1.5 mL syringe | See latest prices |
Suboxone
(buprenorphine/ naloxone) |
$42 for a supply of 14, 8 mg/2 mg films (box of 30) | $35 for a supply of 14, 8 mg/2 mg brand-name Suboxone films (box of 30) | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
Is buprenorphine covered by insurance?
Buprenorphine is typically covered by most commercial insurance plans and Medicare Part D, according to Dr. Elkin. However, coverage details depend on the specific formulation you’re prescribed, your dosage, and whether your medication is included in your plan’s drug formulary.
“Brand-name products like Suboxone or Sublocade may have higher copays or require prior authorization,” Dr. Elkin explains, “while generic buprenorphine-naloxone tablets or films are usually more affordable and accessible.”
We recommend checking with your insurance provider if you aren’t sure whether buprenorphine is covered under your plan and, even if it is, how much of the drug’s cost you would be responsible for paying.
How to get buprenorphine without insurance
Paying out-of-pocket for medications is a financial hardship for many people. Even though buprenorphine is a generic drug, it still might not be affordable for you to get without insurance coverage. Thankfully, there are ways to access buprenorphine without having to pay full price. Not everyone is eligible for every type of cost savings, but here are some ways to get buprenorphine cheaper without insurance:
Use SingleCare
SingleCare negotiates drug discounts with pharmacies across the country. Just search for a buprenorphine coupon on the SingleCare website or app, and you’ll see coupons you can use at pharmacies in your area. When it’s time to pick up your prescription, show your pharmacist your coupon, whether you’ve printed it or have it saved on your phone. You can also show your pharmacist your free SingleCare prescription discount card if you haven’t had time to compare prices at local pharmacies. With your SingleCare card or coupon for buprenorphine, you could pay $65 instead of $506 for a box of four 10 mg patches, saving more than $441 per month and $5,292 per year.
Note that the exact amount of money you’ll save depends on which pharmacy you use. Different pharmacies offer different cash prices, so take some time to compare costs at your local pharmacies before using your discount card to fill your prescription.
Switch to another formulation
As we’ve noted, different forms of buprenorphine are available, and it might be more cost-effective to use another form of the drug instead of the generic buprenorphine patch, depending on your insurance plan. Insurance companies have different criteria for putting drugs on their formulary (the list of medications they’ll cover). If the generic buprenorphine patch isn’t covered under your plan or your copay or coinsurance is too high, see if something like the generic buprenorphine buccal film would be more affordable—and, if so, talk to your healthcare provider about switching.
Use a patient assistance program
Some manufacturers of brand-name buprenorphine formulations have patient assistance programs (PAPs) that allow you to fill your prescription for no cost or with a low-cost copay. Unfortunately, there are no PAPs for generic buprenorphine or Butrans, but some of the buccal film and injectable forms of buprenorphine have PAPs that you may be eligible for, like the Belbuca copay card and the Suboxone copay card. (Note that only people with private insurance are eligible for these programs.)
Find a local health center
Dr. Elkin says some federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and community-based addiction treatment clinics offer buprenorphine at a reduced cost or on a sliding scale. This could make the drug more affordable for you. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) maintains a database where you can search for a health center in your area. You can contact one near you to ask if they include treatment for OUD as one of their services and if they provide financial assistance with buprenorphine.
Check your state’s health department
Dr. Elkin also recommends checking with your state’s health department because some states have public health programs or grant-funded clinics that provide free or low-cost access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction. If you aren’t sure where to start, you can refer to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information on what’s available in your state.
- Buprenorphine, StatPearls (2024)
- MOUD saves lives, especially after 60 days, and the longer the better, Addiction (2023)