How much is Clenpiq without insurance?

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

Clenpiq is a brand-name prescription drug used to cleanse the bowels before a colonoscopy. Clenpiq comes as a ready-to-drink, two-dose oral solution. One 160 mL dose (about a half gallon) is taken in the evening before the procedure and another in the morning before the procedure. Clenpiq’s active ingredients are a combination of certain laxatives. They loosen stools by increasing water secretion in the colon. As a brand-name medication, Clenpiq is one of the higher-priced bowel cleansers, but patients have ways to save money. 

What is the generic for Clenpiq?

Clenpiq is an oral solution of sodium picosulfate, magnesium oxide, and anhydrous citric acid. All of these are generic compounds, but Clenpiq is a unique combination. No exact alternatives are on the market, but other commonly used bowel preparation products may be priced lower. 

Is Clenpiq covered by insurance?

Some health insurance plans and Medicare Part D plans cover Clenpiq. Coverage will vary. Even if Clenpiq is not covered, alternative bowel preparation products will be covered. Others are essentially as effective as Clenpiq if all bowel prep instructions are followed, such as avoiding solid foods or supplements and drinking only clear liquids. 

Health insurance plans tend to place Clenpiq in higher copay tiers. Example formularies include Anthem and United Healthcare. However, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) classifies colonoscopies as necessary preventive treatments. For people with Medicaid, colonoscopies and associated medications are free. 

RELATED: Does Medicare cover a colonoscopy?

How much does Clenpiq cost without insurance?

Without health insurance coverage, a Clenpiq prescription costs $229 at full retail price. That price includes two 160 ml doses to be used before a colonoscopy procedure. Since colonoscopy procedures are few and far between, bowel preparation medications are usually only necessary a few times a lifetime for most patients.

If cost is an issue, healthcare professionals have other options for bowel preparation. The two least expensive are GoLytely, a prescription solution of polyethylene glycol 3350 along with four other salts, and a combination of MiraLax and Dulcolax taken with Gatorade. However, alternative bowel prep products may have different side effects and drug interactions. Do not choose another bowel-cleansing method without the permission of the clinic or gastroenterologist performing the procedure. 

People without insurance can find significant savings by using a SingleCare prescription discount card. By using this savings card at participating pharmacies, people prescribed Clenpiq could purchase the prescription for a cash price as low as $150.

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 Clenpiq without insurance

Unlike many other prescription medications, Clenpiq is exclusively used for a colonoscopy procedure. Sometimes, Clenpiq or another bowel cleanser may be provided at the clinic and billed as part of the procedure. In other cases, Clenpiq is prescribed and picked up at a pharmacy. Of the various billable components of the procedure, the bowel cleanser is the one area where people without insurance can save money. The manufacturer, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, does not offer a patient assistance program. Instead, look to save money first by visiting SingleCare.

1. Use a free coupon from SingleCare

The lowest SingleCare discount price for Clenpiq is $149, a savings of $80 off the average retail price. SingleCare is accepted at many participating pharmacies, but discount prices will vary. Available discounts at local pharmacies can be found on the Clenpiq coupons page. The FAQs section on this page includes additional information about Clenpiq savings.

2. Find the lowest price

SingleCare’s Clenpiq price history table is a valuable resource for comparing Clenpiq prices without making phone calls. Currently, the lowest pharmacy price for Clenpiq is $30 less than the highest price.

3. Ask your healthcare provider about other bowel cleansers

Ask the prescribing healthcare professional for medical advice about Clenpiq alternatives. While bowel cleansers approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are very similar in their effectiveness, Clenpiq has two benefits. People report having an easier time with side effects than with other oral medications. It’s also more convenient to take since it’s a low-volume, two-dose medication. Even so, there are less costly alternatives, including MiraLax (combined with Dulcolax) and GoLytely. 

4. Enroll in health insurance

Health insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid are legally required to pay for all the expenses of a colonoscopy. There should be no copay or other out-of-pocket costs. If insurance or Medicare Part D are challenging to afford, consider applying for Medicaid or the Medicare Low Income Subsidy. Each state has a website that can answer questions about eligibility and enrollment for these subsidized programs.