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Is phentermine covered by insurance? | How much does phentermine cost without insurance? | How to get phentermine without insurance
Phentermine is a generic prescription drug that is FDA-approved as a short-term weight loss drug. It is prescribed for short periods of time, along with exercise, a calorie-reducing diet, and lifestyle changes that are intended to be the long-term solution to losing weight. Phentermine is an appetite suppressant. People don’t feel like eating as much as they otherwise would when taking phentermine. Taken once per day, a 30-day supply of generic phentermine sells at relatively low prices. Because phentermine works like an amphetamine, no lower-priced over-the-counter versions are available.
What is the brand name for phentermine?
The brand-name version of phentermine is called Adipex-P. The average retail price for a 30-day supply of Adepex-P is about $100, about twice that of generic phentermine. Lomaira is a branded generic version of phentermine and costs about $27 for 30 daily tablets.
Is phentermine covered by insurance?
Many health insurance plans do not cover weight loss drugs. Medicare plans also do not cover weight loss drugs. Medicaid covers these drugs in only a few states, such as Michigan. For these reasons, people with insurance are unlikely to find themselves covered for their phentermine prescription. The insurance companies that provide coverage may require prior authorization from the doctor. The copay costs should be low, but the final out-of-pocket cost will depend on other factors, such as coinsurance and coverage gaps.
How much does phentermine cost without insurance?
People without insurance can expect to pay about $40 for 30, 37.5 mg tablets, enough medicine for a month of treatment. That works out to less than $2 per tablet. Phentermine is only intended to be taken for a few weeks because of possible serious side effects such as high blood pressure, heart disease, abuse, and withdrawal. Many patients may get a one-time prescription for two, three, or four weeks of treatment.
Phentermine is the lowest-cost weight-loss pill. There aren’t many other low-cost weight-loss drugs to choose from. Most are brand-name drugs. The lowest-priced alternative is phendimetrazine. It costs a little more than phentermine. Other weight loss medications that cost less than $100 include Alli (orlistat), benzphetamine, and diethylpropion. Qsymia (phentermine-topiramate) costs about five times more, and Contrave (naltrexone-bupropion) is about 20 times the price of phentermine. Other weight loss drugs cost thousands of dollars per month at full retail price.
The least expensive option for uninsured patients is purchasing phentermine with a SingleCare prescription discount card. The lowest price for phentermine using a SingleCare savings card is $5 for a 30-day supply.
RELATED: Phentermine alternatives: What can I take instead of phentermine?
Compare Adipex (phentermine) prices to related drugs |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Phentermine | $42 per 30, 37.5 mg tablets of generic phentermine | $5 per 30, 37.5 mg tablets of generic phentermine | See latest prices |
| Brand-name phentermine (Adipex) | $99 per 30, 37.5 mg tablets | $76 per 30, 37.5 mg tablets of brand-name Adipex | See latest prices |
| Mounjaro
(tirzepatide) |
$1535 per 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg/0.5 mL pen-injectors | $1024 per 4, 0.5 mL of 5 mg/0.5 mL pen-injectors of brand-name Mounjaro | See latest prices |
| Wegovy
(semaglutide) |
$1770 per 4, 0.75 mL of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL auto-injectors | $1198 per 4, 0.75 mL of 2.4 mg/0.75 mL auto-injectors of brand-name Wegovy | See latest prices |
| Saxenda
(liraglutide) |
$1900 per 5, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL pen-injectors | $1287 per 5, 3 mL of 18 mg/3 mL pen-injectors of brand-name Saxenda | See latest prices |
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 “Savings options” link to see the latest drug prices.
How to get phentermine without insurance
The cost of phentermine averages about $42 for 30 days of treatment, but it could cost less if prescribed for a shorter period. Even at a modest price, phentermine can be purchased at a significantly discounted price. Start with a SingleCare prescription discount card and pay as little as $5 for that same one-month prescription.
1. Save up to 80% on generic drugs with SingleCare
SingleCare’s lowest price for a 30-day supply of phentermine is $5, an instant discount of $37 off the average cash price. Discount prices vary by pharmacy, but you can get $30 or more off the average retail price at many SingleCare participating pharmacies. Browse phentermine savings offered by local pharmacies on the phentermine coupons page.
2. Look for the lowest price
The lowest pharmacy price for phentermine can be as much as $10 less than the highest price. This is because different pharmacies charge different prices for the same generic drugs. Some add a large markup, and some don’t. It pays to compare prices.
3. Ask the prescriber about other treatment options
Other weight loss pills are more expensive than phentermine. Over-the-counter weight loss remedies and supplements may not work. However, there may be other options that are less costly or free, but they’ll involve exercise, dietary changes, and lifestyle changes. Because phentermine tablets are only intended to kick-start the weight loss process, diet and exercise will always remain important parts of a weight-loss program. Ask the prescriber for medical advice about how to succeed with long-term weight loss methods that don’t involve prescription medications.
4. Consider Medicaid
If even a SingleCare steeply discounted price for phentermine is difficult to manage, you may qualify for Medicaid. Phentermine will either be free or cost very little if it is covered. Medicaid will cover other aspects of treatment, including healthcare provider visits and tests. To find eligibility and enrollment requirements, visit your state’s Medicaid website or call local healthcare officials. Make sure to examine the policies carefully. Only a few states allow Medicaid to pay for weight loss medications.
