Every health insurance plan has different policies about what medication, treatment, or diagnostic test they cover or otherwise. For instance, insurance companies will generally have a list of drugs that they cover based on a policyholder’s plan on their websites.
Several large group plans under major American insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield, for instance, seem to cover sildenafil (Viagra) and other PDE5 inhibitor drugs that sildenafil belongs to which include tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra). Cigna, another major insurer, covers the same medicines under some plans.
Nevertheless, it’s important to talk to your insurance provider to check which medicines they will cover and under what conditions regardless of what insurance plan you own. For instance, they may have certain requirements as far as when someone from the insurance provider will need to review a prescription before they authorize coverage. They may also reduce how much you can get, and you might need to see if any copayments are involved.
Sildenafil (Viagra) is just one of the several medicines available to treat ED. When you call your insurance provider to verify, ask if you have any insurance coverage for drugs similar to sildenafil like tadalafil (Cialis), vardenafil (Levitra), or avanafil (Stendra).
If your insurance provider will cover some, but not all of your medicines, ask your healthcare provider if it makes sense to switch to one covered by your plan. Different coverage for different dosages also exists depending on your use. For instance, tadalafil is available in an as-needed dose or a daily dose. Your plan may cover one but not the other.
If your insurance plan doesn’t cover any of the medications, you might still be liable for copayments, or your coverage may only take effect after paying your deductibles. Your plans and your mileage may vary widely.
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How much does sildenafil (Viagra) cost when paid out-of-pocket?
If your insurance plan doesn’t cover sildenafil (Viagra), buying branded Viagra can cost quite a pretty penny. For instance, 30 pills of a 100 mg dose of Viagra can cost as much as $2,000. Prices vary depending on where you buy, so it’s worth looking around to see what’s available.
Cialis, on the other hand, can cost $350 for a pack of 30 2.5 mg (the lowest dose) pills, while the highest Cialis dose (20 mg) can run up to $2,000.
Levitra and Stendra, which are less commonly prescribed for ED, can cost from $1,700 and $1,600 for 30 pills when purchased out-of-pocket.
However, there are other more affordable options in case you find yourself a bit priced out.
Do Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra have cheaper alternatives?
Absolutely. Viagra and Cialis are available in their generic versions as sildenafil and tadalafil, respectively. Levitra is also available as generic vardenafil. However, Stendra (avanafil) isn’t available in its generic form yet.
What are some cheaper options for Viagra?
Sildenafil citrate (the active ingredient in Viagra) is available as generic drugs: generic Viagra and generic Revatio. Generic Viagra is biochemically similar to branded Viagra and is available in the same doses.
Revatio, on the other hand, is an FDA-approved medicine used to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension, a specific kind of hypertension in the lungs.
Revatio possesses the same active ingredient as Viagra, but it comes in a different dosage. Both branded and generic Revatio comes in a 20 mg tablet and is generally prescribed in 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg, and 100 mg doses to treat erectile dysfunction, while branded and generic Viagra comes in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg doses. However, this is seen as an off-label prescription, because Revatio and its generic format aren’t specifically used to treat ED.
Generic Revatio is cheaper than branded Viagra, and 30 tablets of 100 mg doses can be priced as low as $10.
What are some cheaper options for Cialis?
Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis, which works longer than sildenafil does but at the same effectiveness rate. 30 tablets of tadalafil can be bought at $20, with some variation in doses and prices based on your preferred pharmacy.
What are some cheaper alternatives to Levitra?
Levitra, also known as the branded version of vardenafil, is another PDE5 inhibitor ED drug with the same mechanism of action as sildenafil and tadalafil. Generic Levitra, or vardenafil, tends to be cheaper than branded Levitra but remains relatively expensive, as 30 doses of vardenafil may set you back $250.
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Is Viagra covered by a Medicaid or Medicare plan?
Consult your plan’s specific benefits to determine whether your prescription drugs will be covered. Generally, the chances of having one of the generic versions of Viagra (Sildenafil), Cialis (Tadalafil), or Levitra (Vardenafil) covered under your Medicare or Medicaid plan is more likely than that of their branded equivalents.
How do PDE5 inhibitor ED drugs treat ED symptoms?
Sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), and vardenafil (Levitra) belong to a class of drugs called PDE5 inhibitors, which are medicines that treat male sexual dysfunction. As their name implies, PDE5 inhibitors block the PDE5 enzyme, which is responsible for breaking down cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) – a chemical that causes the penile blood vessels to open up and dilate. When PDE5 is inhibited in the bloodstream, cGMP levels increase to enhance penile blood flow. Enhanced penile blood flow produces stronger, longer-lasting erections.
There’s always a solution for every budget
PDE5 inhibitors work in similar ways, with their main differences lying in how long they last in the body including side effects. In the end, the medicine you select will hinge on your doctor’s advice, taking into account your budget and medical history. Talk to your insurance provider if any of these medicines are covered. Otherwise, try looking around the internet to find the best options from licensed, authentic online pharmacies.
