How Much Is Prozac Without Insurance

Dragos Condrea/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Prozac (fluoxetine) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). It's FDA approved to treat mental health conditions like depression and panic disorder, which it does by increasing serotonin levels in the brains.

Brand-name Prozac, which is available as capsules, could cost you over $6,000 a year without insurance or other savings methods. Fortunately, there are ways to save on Prozac.

How much does Prozac cost, and what affects the price?

Without insurance, a monthly supply of Prozac 10 mg capsules costs around $627.77on average. The average cost for a monthly supply of 20 mg capsules is approximately $634.38. And the average cost of a monthly supply of 40 mg capsules is $1129.72.

As with most prescription medications, Prozac prices vary based on many factors, such as:

• Location: Where you live can affect the cost of your prescription medications. For example, according to GoodRx data, people in Little Rock, Arkansas, tend to pay more for prescription medications than people in Houston, Texas.

• Pharmacy: Pharmacies negotiate their own pricing for prescription medications with the manufacturer. So different pharmacies may charge different prices for Prozac.

• Insurance: If you have insurance that covers Prozac, it can help reduce what you pay for your medication. But even with insurance, you may still have out-of-pocket expenses. These expenses may be higher if Prozac is listed in a higher tier on your plan's formulary.

• Dosage: A higher dosage of Prozac could increase your monthly costs.

Does insurance cover Prozac?

Some insurance plans cover brand-name Prozac, but coverage details vary. For example, if you have insurance, your plan may require you to do step therapy. In this case, you would need to try a lower-cost alternative or generic fluoxetine before your plan will consider covering Prozac.

Or you may need to obtain a prior authorization with help from your prescriber before your plan will cover Prozac. Check your plan's formulary or contact your insurance provider to find out about coverage details.

Here are some steps you can take to get your insurance provider to cover Prozac if the medication is not on your plan's formulary:

• Ask your prescriber to submit a letter of medical necessity to your insurance provider explaining why Prozac is necessary for your treatment.

• Request a formulary exception from your insurance provider.

• If your request is denied, submit an appeal to your provider.

Ways to save on Prozac

Here are six ways to save money on your Prozac prescription.

1. Use a GoodRx coupon

A GoodRx coupon may help you save on the cost of Prozac. For example, with a GoodRx coupon, you may be able to pay as low as $424.48for a month's supply of 20 mg Prozac capsules at certain pharmacies.

To get your free GoodRx coupon:

• Go to www.goodrx.com or download the GoodRx app on your phone or tablet.

• Enter "Prozac" in the search box. Make sure to select "Prozac (brand-name)" from the drop-down list. If you don't, the page will automatically display prices for generic fluoxetine.

• Click "Find the lowest prices."

• Indicate if you want to receive your coupon by text or email. Or you can print it out.

• Present the coupon to your pharmacist when you pick up your Prozac prescription

2. Apply for a patient assistance program

The Lilly Cares Foundation offers a patient assistance program that provides certain medications, including Prozac, at no cost for up to 12 months. This program has specific income requirements and other eligibility criteria. Check the program's website to see if you qualify.

3. Look into a 90-day supply or mail-order discounts

If you have insurance, ask your insurance provider if a 90-day supply of Prozac could save you money. Then, talk to your prescriber about changing your prescription from a 30-day supply to a 90-day supply. This may help you save money overall and cut down on pharmacy visits.

You can also check to see if your insurance provider offers discounts for using the company's mail-order pharmacy service.

4. Shop around at different pharmacies

As mentioned, the cost of a medication can vary from one pharmacy to the next. To find the best deal, compare Prozac prices at different pharmacies in your area on the GoodRx app or at www.goodrx.com.

5. Make the most of your HSA or FSA funds

Another way to save on Prozac is to use the money in your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) to pay for your prescription. Since these funds are pre-tax, you can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses through tax savings.

6. Ask about the generic version

Discuss switching to generic fluoxetine with your prescriber. Generic fluoxetine contains the same active ingredient as Prozac - meaning, it's considered to be equally effective - and is available as tablets, capsules, and an oral solution. Plus, it will likely cost much less than the brand-name version.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.