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Key takeaways
Viagra and other brand-name ED medications are often not covered by insurance, but generic sildenafil may be covered for other approved uses.
To find out whether your insurance covers Viagra or generic sildenafil, you can check your formulary, call your plan, or have your healthcare provider send a prescription to your pharmacy.
If you are paying for Viagra without insurance, there are many ways to save money, such as choosing generic, purchasing a larger quantity, and using a discount card.
Viagra is a popular prescription drug used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) that has been helping men improve their sex life for almost 30 years. And while ED is a common condition, Pfizer’s brand-name “little blue pill” isn’t exactly cheap, averaging over $100 per pill. Although insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid do not commonly cover Viagra and many other ED drugs, there are still several ways to make erectile dysfunction treatment more affordable.
Does insurance cover Viagra?
Commercial health insurance plans do not typically cover brand-name ED drugs like Viagra, Cialis, and Stendra. Insurance is more likely to cover the generic version of these medications, such as sildenafil or tadalafil. Even if these medications are included in your plan’s formulary, there will likely be restrictions to insurance coverage, such as prior authorization or quantity limits.
If your health plan covers any of these medications, you most likely will still have a copayment, although the amount depends on your specific plan. When you discuss coverage with your insurance provider, be sure to ask how much your copay will cost.
Consult your primary care physician or urologist when evaluating ED drugs, as the best drug for you largely depends on your health history, lifestyle, and other current medications.
Does Medicare cover Viagra?
Most Medicare prescription plans do not currently cover brand-name Viagra. Some Medicare drug plans will cover generic ED medications but only if they’re medically necessary and prescribed to treat other medical conditions (not solely erectile dysfunction). For example, generic Cialis (tadalafil) may be covered when prescribed for BPH, or Medicare may cover Revatio (sildenafil), which is indicated for use in pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Each Medicare plan has a formulary (a list of covered drugs) that you should review before choosing a plan. Use the Medicare Plan Finder to look for a plan that includes ED medications.
Note: Medicare Part B may cover other ED-related services, such as exams, diagnostic tests, or penile implant surgery.
Does Medicaid cover Viagra?
Medicaid also does not often cover Viagra or other ED drugs, as they’re usually prescribed for lifestyle issues and not deemed “medically necessary.” If prescribed for health problems other than erectile dysfunction, however, generic versions of these medications may be covered.
Medicaid policies vary from state to state, so you should check with your specific state’s program before writing this option off.
How much does generic Viagra cost?
Prices vary widely for generic Viagra. A typical retail price (without insurance or discounts) may be about $1,394 for 30, 100 mg tablets. However, you can use a discount card like SingleCare and pay as low as $14 for this prescription. What’s more, you can use the coupon to pay for your initial prescription as well as refills. The price will vary based on the dosage, quantity, and pharmacy where you fill your prescription. You can check with your preferred pharmacy for cost information.
Save up to 80% on Viagra with SingleCare Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
How to check whether your insurance covers Viagra
You can find out if your insurance company covers Viagra (or generic sildenafil) by checking the most recent online formulary. To do this, you can log in to your plan’s secure website and navigate to the formulary. Search for Viagra (sildenafil) to see if it is listed and what pricing tier it is in. Keep in mind that even if the drug is listed, it may only be covered for certain conditions and is not guaranteed to be covered for ED.
Another way to find out if your insurance covers Viagra is to contact your insurance plan. Have your member ID number ready and call the member services number on the back of your card. An insurance representative can give you more information about Viagra cost and coverage for your plan.
You can also have your healthcare provider send the prescription to your preferred pharmacy. The pharmacy staff can process the claim and tell you if Viagra or sildenafil is covered, and what your cost would be.
What to do if insurance won’t cover Viagra
If your insurance does not initially cover Viagra, you may have other options. Your healthcare provider can work with your insurance company to try to obtain coverage for Viagra or generic sildenafil. Your provider may need to complete a prior authorization, where they will submit additional information to your plan about why you need this medicine. If the request is denied, your healthcare provider may try to appeal the decision. If the appeal is denied, you may want to look into prescription discount programs, such as SingleCare, or manufacturer coupons. You can also talk to your healthcare provider about Viagra alternatives that may be suitable for you.
How to get Viagra without insurance
So far, we’ve determined that if you need Viagra, you can’t always count on assistance from your insurance provider or Medicare plan. And brand-name Viagra can be prohibitively expensive. However, even if your insurance doesn’t provide coverage, there are still ways to get erectile dysfunction drugs at a discount. You just need to know a few tricks. It’s important to always see a licensed healthcare provider and fill your prescription at a licensed pharmacy. There are many scams and counterfeit ED drugs out there, so using the proper channels to fill your prescription ensures your safety.
1. Use SingleCare
SingleCare is all about making prescriptions more affordable. Whether you have insurance or not, SingleCare can find the lowest prices at your local pharmacies and use coupons to drop the price even further. It’s completely free to use. For example, generic Viagra costs $14 for 30, 100 mg tablets with SingleCare.
2. Ask your healthcare provider for a larger quantity
Buying in bulk almost always lowers the cost per unit, and this applies to drug costs, too. Purchasing 10 pills at once will likely yield a much lower price per pill than buying them one at a time. You can ask your pharmacy for the price for various quantities of Viagra, and see how the price compares when the quantity increases. If there are significant savings, check with your healthcare provider about increasing the quantity on your prescription.
3. Ask for a generic version
The generic version of Viagra is more likely to be covered by insurance and is also a lot cheaper.
Generic Viagra costs an average of $1,394 per 30, 100 mg tablets, while the brand-name equivalent goes for around $3,225 per 30, 100 mg tablets. That’s a massive difference. And it’s the exact same medication. The same goes for other ED meds such as tadalafil (generic Cialis).
4. Switch to a cheaper brand
You’ll find that some ED drugs are more affordable than others. In some instances, Cialis, Levitra, and other alternative ED drugs might be more cost-effective than Viagra. You’ll want to check with your healthcare provider, of course, before diving into any new medication.
RELATED: Sildenafil alternatives and how to switch your Rx
5. Treat the underlying cause
Erectile dysfunction can be a symptom of another medical condition, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid are much more likely to cover medications for these health conditions over ED.
RELATED: What causes erectile dysfunction?
ED can also be a side effect of certain medications. Ask your healthcare provider to review your list of medications for a culprit.
Additionally, ED could be improved or treated with natural remedies like smoking cessation, stress management, exercise, and diet. If your health insurance plan doesn’t cover ED drugs, you may try treating it with a different approach.
The SingleCare prices in this article are the most accurate at the time of publishing in ZIP code 23666 as of March 24, 2026. Prices vary by pharmacy. Visit our Viagra coupon page for updated Viagra prices near you.
- Viagra, DailyMed (2017)
- Explore your Medicare coverage options, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services