How much is Flovent without insurance?

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

Flovent (fluticasone) is a prescription inhaled corticosteroid used as a long-term daily maintenance treatment to control and prevent asthma attacks. Available as a metered aerosol inhaler (Flovent HFA) or dry powder inhaler (Flovent Diskus), Flovent is inhaled twice per day. However, it is never to be used as a rescue inhaler, such as Ventolin (albuterol), for acute asthma attacks. Unfortunately, fluticasone inhalants are not available in generic versions, so uninsured patients may need to pay the full retail price for brand-name Flovent. Although fluticasone propionate nasal spray (Flonase) can be purchased over the counter, it should never be used in place of an inhaled corticosteroid.

Is Flovent covered by insurance?

As a life-saving medication, Flovent is covered by most insurance plans, Medicare, and Medicaid. However, as a brand-name-only drug, some insurance companies may require prior authorization and Flovent is likely to be a high-tier drug, meaning that you’ll pay a higher copay than other medications covered by your insurance plan. Health insurance can help offset much of the cost of a Flovent prescription, but the actual out-of-pocket cost will depend on the insurance plan’s copay cost and deductible.

How much does Flovent cost without insurance?

Uninsured patients will find that the full retail price for Flovent HFA is $363 for one inhaler containing 12 gm of 11 mcg/act aerosol. One Flovent HFA inhaler contains 120 inhalations at any one of three dose strengths, so you’ll pay about $3 per inhalation. 

The monthly cost of Flovent HFA will depend on the dose prescribed. Flovent HFA dosages range from 88 mcg twice per day to 880 mcg twice per day. Therefore, one inhaler could last up to two months. That’s $182 per month for Flovent HFA.

Without insurance, Flovent Diskus costs $261 for one inhaler. The standard dose for Flovent Diskus is between 100 mcg and 1,000 mcg twice per day. However, a Flovent Diskus inhaler is only good for six weeks after the foil pouch is opened. Therefore, Flovent Diskus costs more than Flovent HFA at $261 per month.

Inhaled corticosteroids are the standard, nearly universal drugs used to control asthma. However, there aren’t very many generic versions available in this drug class. There are other types of FDA-approved drugs used to reduce the incidence and severity of asthma symptoms, but they are meant to be prescribed in addition to inhaled corticosteroids, never as substitutes. They cannot be relied on as lower-cost alternatives to Flovent.

There are no over-the-counter drugs or supplements that can be effectively or safely substituted for inhaled corticosteroids. Fluticasone, the active ingredient in Flovent, is widely available as an over-the-counter nasal spray called Flonase, but never consider substituting fluticasone nasal spray for a Flovent inhaler. Fluticasone nasal spray is only intended to relieve nasal and sinus symptoms. In the nasal spray form, very little fluticasone reaches the lungs where it’s needed to control asthma symptoms.

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. The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see updated drug prices.

RELATED: Symbicort alternatives | Qvar vs. Flovent

How to get Flovent without insurance

The annual cost of Flovent without insurance is approximately $2,200 to $3,200. Although it is an expensive prescription, people on a high deductible health plan may not meet their deductible and pay higher copays all year for their asthma medication. High deductible family health insurance plans have a minimum deductible of $2,800. 

Paying for a Flovent prescription at full price can be hard to manage. At the time that this article was published, the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), did not offer any manufacturer coupons, copay savings cards, or patient assistance programs for Flovent HFA or Flovent Diskus. Fortunately, there are more ways to save on necessary asthma medications like Flovent.

1. Take advantage of a SingleCare discount card

You can find free coupons on singlecare.com that can reduce the cost of a Flovent HFA inhaler to $235—a savings of more than $125 per inhaler. A SingleCare savings card can be downloaded or printed and used immediately to save money on prescription medications at thousands of local pharmacies.

2. Ask the prescribing healthcare provider about other inhaled corticosteroids

Unfortunately, most other inhaled corticosteroids that could substitute for high-priced Flovent are premium-priced brand-name drugs as well. Some, though, are less expensive. Ask a healthcare professional for medical advice about the effectiveness and safety of other steroid inhalers.

3. Shop around for the best Flovent price

It pays to find the lowest price before filling a prescription. Search for your prescription on SingleCare and enter your zip code to compare drug prices at pharmacies near you.

4. Get health insurance

For chronic conditions like asthma that require life-long medical treatment, often the best way to save money on prescriptions is to purchase health insurance coverage. It could be considerably less expensive than paying for a year of inhaled corticosteroids out of pocket. Go to your state’s health insurance marketplace to compare policies and prices. Remember, though, that insurance can only be purchased through the marketplace during open enrollment periods.

5. Apply for Medicaid

You might be eligible for health insurance through your state’s Medicaid program. Life-saving drugs like Flovent could cost very little through a Medicaid health insurance plan.

RELATED: What is Medicaid?

6. Apply for Extra Help

Extra Help is a low-income subsidy that helps cover Medicare Part D costs. If you have Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage, you should look into whether you qualify for Extra Help. In 2022, brand-name drugs like Flovent cost $8.85 or 15% of your coinsurance or copay—whichever is less. In addition to copays, you could also save on Part D deductibles, premiums, and even eliminate the Part D penalty if it applies to you.

7. Ask the city or county for help

Drugs like Flovent are necessary medications. City, county, and state health departments are crucial sources for finding life-saving medical treatment and medications. They can direct you to community clinics and other resources that may be able to provide Flovent or other inhaled corticosteroids for free or at very little cost. You can also call 211 for financial assistance.

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