How much is Nucynta without insurance?

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

Nucynta is a brand-name opioid used to treat moderate to severe immediate pain. Its extended-release form, Nucynta ER, is used to treat chronic severe pain or nerve pain due to diabetes. Doses are individualized but are usually taken every four hours for immediate-release Nucynta and every 12 hours for Nucynta ER. 

Common side effects include drowsiness, constipation, and breathing problems. Abuse, dependence, and opioid overdose are also possible, which is why Nucynta and other opioids are classified as Schedule II controlled substances. The active ingredient in Nucynta, tapentadol, is not yet available in less-expensive generic versions, so uninsured people prescribed Nucynta may have to pay the full retail price unless they follow a few smart tips to reduce the cost.

Is Nucynta covered by insurance?

Some commercial health insurance and Medicaid plans cover Nucynta prescriptions and others don’t. Those that do cover Nucynta will probably require prior authorization or that other pain management drugs be tried first. Medicare Part D recipients are less likely to be covered. Neither the VA nor Tricare include Nucynta or Nucynta ER in their formularies.

How much does Nucynta cost without insurance?

The cash price of Nucynta averages $600 for 60, 50 mg tablets and $1,200 for 60, 100 mg Nucynta ER tablets. For both drugs, these quantities will last 15 days. Without insurance, expect to pay $40 for a day of immediate-release Nucynta treatment and $80 for a day of Nucynta ER treatment. Health insurance coverage may make Nucynta treatment more affordable. Even then, the out-of-pocket cost may be high. However, people with commercial health insurance can use a Nucynta copay savings card from Collegium Pharmaceutical to reduce the copay cost to as little as $35 per prescription. 

If Nucynta can’t be afforded, people have a wide spectrum of less-expensive treatment options. Many different opioids are used to treat temporary pain, chronic pain, and diabetic neuropathy. Most options are less expensive than brand-name Nucynta. There are also many non-opioid alternatives. After all, healthcare providers are generally reluctant to use opioids and are strongly advised to avoid their long-term use. Other analgesics include prescription and over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, and nerve blocks. Treatment options without medication include physical therapy, spinal cord stimulation, acupuncture, and deadening nerves with radio waves.

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: Nucynta vs. oxycodone: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you

How to get Nucynta without insurance

Even people with health insurance may not be covered for a Nucynta or Nucynta ER prescription, so it helps to know the best workarounds to save money. Unlike other brand-name drugs, there are currently no patient assistance programs, manufacturer coupons, or rebates for Nucynta. Financial assistance from these sources is uncertain anyway. There are better and more certain ways to reduce the cost of prescription drugs, starting with a SingleCare discount card.

1. Use a SingleCare savings card

At full retail price, Nucynta costs $608. With a free Nucynta coupon from SingleCare, people can buy that same prescription for $472 at a participating local pharmacy. The savings are even greater for Nucynta ER. A Nucynta ER prescription which normally costs $1,227 can be purchased for as little as $867 at the lowest SingleCare discounted price.

2. Find Nucynta savings by comparing pharmacy prices

A 15-day supply of Nucynta can cost as much as $690 or as little as $580 depending on where it’s purchased. The price difference is even more dramatic for Nucynta ER. The highest price for Nucynta ER is $1,500 for a 15-day supply. That same prescription can be purchased for as little as $1,140 just by going to the pharmacy offering the lowest price. For those used to hunting down low prices on the Internet or at online pharmacies, there’s none to be found for Nucynta. As controlled substances, opioids cannot legally be sold over the Internet.

3. Get health insurance or switch insurance plans

It’s worth considering health insurance when faced with a long-term condition. Medicaid is a better option if you can qualify. However, for those denied Nucynta coverage by their health insurance carrier, it may be time to consider another policy that will cover needed medications. 

4. Get medical advice about other opioids

Opioids are not identical to one another, but many different types of opioids can effectively treat acute pain, chronic pain, and nerve pain. Generic tramadol, for instance, usually costs about $34 for an eight- to 10-day supply, but is $5 with a free coupon from SingleCare. Talk to the prescribing healthcare provider about the pros and cons of switching to more affordable medications.