How much is Spiriva Respimat without insurance?

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

Spiriva Respimat is a brand-name prescription drug that helps reduce flare-ups of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a medical condition that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Spiriva Respimat is also FDA-approved as a long-term maintenance treatment for asthma in adults and children six years or older. Intended for long-term maintenance use rather than as a rescue inhalation spray, Spiriva Respimat helps to reduce the incidence and severity of bronchospasms, asthma symptoms, and COPD exacerbations. Its active ingredient, tiotropium bromide, is an anticholinergic bronchodilator that blocks the chemical that signals muscles in the airways to spasm and tighten. Common side effects include dry mouth, sore throat, urinary retention, and sinus infections. Tiotropium is unavailable in generic or over-the-counter versions, so people without insurance will pay a premium price for the brand name. Fortunately, people without insurance have several ways to bring down the cost.

What is the generic for Spiriva Respimat?

There is currently no generic version of Spiriva Respimat available. It is uncertain when a generic version might appear, but it might be as late as 2027.

Is Spiriva Respimat covered by insurance?

Spiriva Respimat mist and Spiriva Handihaler metered inhalers are usually covered by health insurance plans and Medicare prescription drug plans. Still, there may be restrictions such as quantity limits or mail-order only. Insurance companies tend to group both under brand-name drug tiers so that the copay cost will be higher than generic drugs. Other factors, such as coinsurance or coverage gaps, will determine the final out-of-pocket.

How much does Spiriva Respimat cost without insurance?

Without insurance, the average cash price for a single Spiriva Respimat inhaler is $620. A single inhaler provides 60 actuations, enough medicine for 30 days. That means the average price per day of treatment is around $20. A year’s worth of Spiriva will cost over $7,000. 

Unfortunately, there is no lower-priced generic version of Spiriva. There are similar inhaled anticholinergics—Tudorza Pressair (aclidinium) and Incruse Ellipta (umeclidinium bromide)—but switching to these other brands will not save money. Ask a healthcare professional for medical advice about alternative generic drugs that work differently than Spiriva, like inhaled corticosteroids. However, there will be trade-offs in both effectiveness and side effects. If other inhalants are also prescribed, money could be saved by switching to combination inhalers. A drug like tiotropium is typically prescribed with a long-acting beta antagonist. Purchasing both in a single inhaler may be cheaper than getting both separately.

RELATED: Spiriva Respimat alternatives

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 link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.

How to get Spiriva Respimat without insurance

At an annual cost exceeding $7,000, paying for Spiriva Respimat can be challenging over the long term. One option is to look into the manufacturer’s patient assistance program or track down any manufacturer coupons. However, not everyone will meet the eligibility requirements for patient assistance, and manufacturer coupons and rebates are not common. More practical savings can be found by using a SingleCare prescription discount card.

1. Save as much as $200 a month with a SingleCare savings card

SingleCare can reduce the cost of prescription medications by as much as 80%. The lowest SingleCare price for a 30-day supply of Spiriva Respimat is $408, more than $200 off the average retail price. Savings could add up to $2,400 yearly. Keep in mind that discount prices for Spiriva will vary by participating pharmacies. Shop free coupons for Spiriva on SingleCare’s Spiriva Respimat coupon page.

2. Look for the lowest price

Pharmacy prices for Spiriva Respimat can vary widely based on the store’s markup. The lowest retail price for Spiriva Respimat is almost $220 lower than the highest pharmacy price. Comparing prices at local pharmacies could net a discount of over $2,000 per year.

3. Consider health insurance

In the end, the cheapest alternative may be to get a health insurance policy, especially when all the costs of COPD or asthma treatment are added up. Start with your state’s health insurance marketplace. If an affordable plan is found, check the formulary to ensure that Spiriva Respimat and other needed drugs are covered at a reasonable out-of-pocket cost. 

4. Enroll in Medicaid or CHIP

Private health insurance may not be affordable. In that case, you may qualify for Medicaid, or your family may qualify for CHIP. Out-of-pocket costs will be minimal, not just for prescription drugs, but for office visits, tests, and emergency room treatment. Check your state’s Medicaid site for eligibility criteria, enrollment forms, and additional information.

5. Ask the prescriber about other treatment options

As a last resort, consider switching to another type of asthma or COPD maintenance inhaler. The cheapest alternative to an anticholinergic bronchodilator like Spiriva is an inhaled corticosteroid. It will work differently and, for some people, may not work as well. Side effects will also be different. Ask the prescriber for medical advice about the pros and cons of switching to less costly treatments. 

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