How much is buspirone (BuSpar) without insurance?

Is buspirone covered by insurance? | How much does buspirone cost without insurance? | How to get buspirone without insurance

Buspirone hydrochloride is a generic prescription drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat generalized anxiety disorder or temporary symptoms of anxiety or worry. In addition, some people may take buspirone for depression or problems with sleep when prescribed off-label by a mental health provider or other healthcare professional. It remains uncertain exactly how buspirone works, but the side effects of buspirone are comparatively mild compared to other anxiety medications like benzodiazepines. 

Buspirone is typically covered by most insurance plans. However, the good news for people without insurance coverage is that buspirone is available as a lower-cost generic drug. Even better news is that the retail price can be reduced dramatically, especially with prescription savings cards. 

What is the brand name for buspirone?

The original brand name for buspirone HCl was BuSpar. Some healthcare providers still call it that, but BuSpar is no longer sold in the U.S.

Is buspirone covered by insurance?

If prescribed for an FDA-approved medical condition, buspirone is usually covered by health insurance plans, Medicare Part D, and Medicaid. Additionally, both TRICARE and the VA cover buspirone prescriptions. The cost should be low because most insurance companies place buspirone in their lowest copay tier. Still, the final out-of-pocket cost may involve additional fees like deductibles, coinsurance, or any money due during a coverage gap.

Many insurance providers also offer a cost-saving option by covering a 90-day supply of buspirone from mail order or online pharmacies. Purchasing a prescription this way could save time and money for transportation while providing a convenient way to avoid running out of medication. 

How much does buspirone cost without insurance?

Buspirone is a lower-priced generic drug, with a cash price averaging $39 for 60, 5 mg tablets, less than $1 per tablet. That’s enough for 30 days at twice-daily dosing. However, 5 mg is the starting dose, and higher doses may cost a little more. At the full retail price, buspirone treatment may cost between $12 at twice-daily and $20 at three-times-a-day dosing for a 30-day supply.

At these prices, buspirone may be one of the cheapest prescription anxiety medications on the market compared to other drugs. There are alternative anxiolytics, but people will probably not save money by switching. However, some alternatives may work better than buspirone. 

SSRIs and SNRIs such as generic Zoloft (sertraline) may cost slightly more, but they may be more effective at treating anxiety disorders. However, they may also have more side effects, including sexual dysfunction. In addition, they may be more likely to cause serious side effects such as serotonin syndrome, which can cause increased heart rate and changes in blood pressure. Other serious side effects include suicidal thoughts or severe allergic reactions. 

Some benzodiazepines like generic Valium (diazepam) are cheaper. However, they’re more likely to cause adverse effects such as drowsiness and lightheadedness. They also have serious side effects and drug interactions. They can cause dependency and have a well-known history of misuse or abuse. The savings may not balance out the risks, so get medical advice from your prescribing healthcare professional before switching. 

For clinical anxiety disorders, there are no over-the-counter medications or dietary supplements that are an equally effective substitute for prescription anxiety medications.

Since switching medications involves trade-offs in side effects and drug interactions, using a SingleCare prescription discount card may be the best cost-saving option. With SingleCare, the lowest discount price for buspirone is $4 for 60, 5 mg tablets, less than seven cents per tablet.

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.

How to get buspirone without insurance

The cost of buspirone is low compared to other anxiolytics, but there are still ways to lower the price. Before exploring these strategies, realize that generic drugs like buspirone usually don’t have manufacturer-patient assistance programs, coupons, or rebates. That means the first place to find buspirone at a steeply discounted price may be with a SingleCare savings card.

1. Use a free coupon from SingleCare 

The lowest SingleCare discount price for 60 buspirone tablets is $4, less than seven cents per tablet. Discounts will vary by participating pharmacies, but the discount prices range from $4 to a little more than $7, all significant savings off the average $39 retail price. Read the FAQs section for more savings information, drug information, and buspirone side effects.

2. Find the pharmacy with the lowest price 

The lowest pharmacy price for 60 buspirone tablets is $40 less than the highest pharmacy price. That’s a big payoff for price shopping. However, it’s not always easy to find lower prices on prescription medications. Instead, you can look at SingleCare’s buspirone pricing history to quickly compare pharmacy prices to find the best retail price.

3. Visit a 340B provider or public health clinic

Another place to find discounted prescription medications is at local 340B providers or public health clinics. There may be enrollment and eligibility requirements. To find these providers, call a local representative of your community’s health department or your state’s mental health department. 

4. Enroll in Medicaid

For some people, Medicaid may be the best overall option for saving money not just on prescription drugs but doctor’s visits, tests, and procedures. Eligibility for Medicaid is usually based on income level and other personal circumstances, and the specifics can vary from state to state. Information about eligibility requirements and the enrollment process can be found on each state’s Medicaid website or by calling a local health department. 

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