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Key takeaways
Medicaid will often cover Linzess, but it depends on the specific state, since each state has its own policies, formularies, and eligibility requirements.
To check whether Medicaid will cover Linzess, look at the plan’s preferred drug list (PDL) or contact the state’s Medicaid agency.
The Linzess website says Medicaid beneficiaries will pay between $0 and $10 for a Linzess prescription, but this depends on the state and plan.
Just ask the 25–45 million US adults who have irritable bowel syndrome or the approximately 35 million who have chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC): It can make life a challenge. Fortunately, Linzess (linaclotide) can help, treating the abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation associated with IBS-C or CIC—but those benefits cost money. The specific cost you might pay for Linzess depends on your insurance coverage, your reason for taking it, and other factors. If you have Medicaid, you may receive some assistance paying for it.
How much does Linzess cost?
For people purchasing Linzess without insurance coverage, Medicare, or Medicaid, the average cost is around $730 for 30, 145 mcg capsules. That price isn’t static across the board, though. It can vary depending on the dosage, the size of the prescription (30 or 90 days), your location in the country, and even the pharmacy you use.
Unfortunately, there’s no Linzess generic currently available, so even though generics might be a reliable way to save on many medications, they aren’t an option here. There are generic versions of linaclotide in development, but they won’t be available until 2029.
Save up to 80% on Linzess with SingleCare
Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
Does Medicaid cover Linzess?
The short answer is yes, Medicaid may cover Linzess. The longer answer is that coverage might vary by state. Since the federal and state governments jointly fund Medicaid, each state determines its own eligibility requirements and preferred drug list (PDL). So while Medicaid might cover Linzess most of the time, whether you qualify for Medicaid depends on your state. And Linzess may or may not be on the PDL in your state.
Typically, the eligibility requirements include an income limit—you must only make up to a certain percentage of the federal poverty level—but this limit varies by state. To see if you’re eligible, you’ll need to contact your state’s Medicaid agency. Some states even allow you to check your eligibility by answering some questions online.
To see whether your state’s Medicaid plan specifically covers Linzess, you’ll want to check its PDL. You should be able to find this document on the state government’s Medicaid website. Typically, these lists label prescription drugs as “preferred” or “non-preferred,” though some might organize them into tiers with different coverage for each. If Linzess is non-preferred or a higher tier in your state, that doesn’t mean it’s never covered. However, you might need to complete some prior authorization requirements first, and you might still have an out-of-pocket cost.
Most states allow you to do all of this directly on their Medicaid website, but you can also always call or email the state’s health and human services department if you’d like to ask a representative.
Factors influencing Medicaid coverage for Linzess
Even if your state’s Medicaid plan covers Linzess, it’s not always as simple as going to the pharmacy and claiming your discount. Some state Medicaid plans might put restrictions on certain prescription drugs or have extra requirements to meet before you can receive coverage.
According to Dr. Eve Elizabeth Pennie, MD, an epidemiologist and contributor at Drugwatch.com, coverage often depends on prior authorization, which insurance plans use to determine whether a drug or treatment is medically necessary. “Documentation showing failure of first-line treatments such as fiber or laxatives,” she says. “Approval is more likely when the diagnosis and treatment history are clearly documented.”
Some plans might also put quantity limits on certain drugs. This may limit the length of the prescription a healthcare provider can write (15 days, 30 days, etc.) or the number of refills allowed. The purpose behind quantity limits is to ensure safe and responsible use, particularly for drugs with a risk of misuse and abuse.
How to get Linzess with Medicaid
Dr. Pennie says she and other clinicians “typically advise patients to coordinate closely with their provider and pharmacy, ensure accurate coding, and explore assistance programs if coverage is delayed or denied.” This will improve your chances of receiving coverage and establish a backup plan if you’re denied.
But if you receive coverage, using it is fairly simple. When you enroll in Medicaid, you should receive an enrollment card, which contains your personal information and instructions for beneficiaries and providers. It may also include information about your specific Medicaid plan, depending on the state. If you don’t receive this card after enrolling, you’ll need to contact your state’s Medicaid or CHIP agency to request one.
Before you put that card to good use, however, you’ll need to get a valid Linzess prescription from your healthcare provider. If your Medicaid plan has prior authorization requirements, you’ll need to comply with those as well. But once you’ve confirmed that Medicaid will cover your prescription, using your benefits is pretty simple: Just present your enrollment card when you pick up your Linzess at the pharmacy.
Cost of Linzess with Medicaid
According to the Linzess website, for Medicaid beneficiaries, “about 100% of Linzess prescriptions have an out-of-pocket cost between $0–$10 per month depending on state plan.” Considering that Linzess can cost several hundred dollars without insurance or other assistance, those are significant savings.
This is a generalization, though, and the actual price of your Linzess prescription depends on your state, your Medicaid plan, the pharmacy, and the reason you’re taking it.
Ways to get discounts on Linzess without Medicaid
Medicaid is a reliable way to knock hundreds off the price of your Linzess prescription—but it’s not the only way. You can also get discounts with a SingleCare coupon card. It’s completely free to sign up, and instead of paying around $718 for your Linzess prescription, you might pay as little as $252 for 30, 145mcg capsules at certain Kroger pharmacies.
SingleCare partners with more than 35,000 pharmacies nationwide for discounts on over 10,000 drugs, including Linzess. All you have to do is present your coupon card at one of these pharmacies, and you’ll get your discount.
Linzess’ manufacturer also offers a savings card that allows eligible patients to pay as little as $30 per month for their prescription. However, not everyone is eligible. Anyone enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, VA benefits, or other government assistance programs cannot get this card, and it has an annual maximum benefit of $2,280.
Private insurance plans or nonprofit assistance, such as the Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief Program, are options as well and can provide significant savings.
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of 02/25/26. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our Linzess coupon page for updated Linzess prices near you.
- IBS facts and statistics, About IBS
- Update on the management of chronic idiopathic constipation, The American Journal of Managed Care (2019)
- Linaclotide, NIH National Library of Medicine (2024)
- Medicaid income eligibility limits for other adults, 2011-2025, KFF.org (2025)
- How can I find out if I’m eligible for Medicaid?, Medicaid.gov
- Prior authorization: What is it, when might you need it, and how do you get it?, Harvard Health (2024)
- Where can people get help with Medicaid & CHIP?, Medicaid.gov