How much is clopidogrel without insurance?

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

Clopidogrel is a generic prescription blood thinner used to help reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death in people with chest pain (angina), peripheral arterial disease, or for people who have recently had a heart attack or stroke. Healthcare providers also use clopidogrel for atrial fibrillation, bypass surgery, stent insertion, and other procedures to open arteries. Clopidogrel prevents blood platelets from sticking together to form blood clots. For this reason, it’s considered an antiplatelet medication rather than an anticoagulant. 

Clopidogrel is a lower-priced generic drug, but may still be challenging to afford without insurance. Unfortunately, no lower-cost over-the-counter drugs or supplements can be substituted for clopidogrel. Still, several cost-cutting strategies can help dramatically reduce clopidogrel’s out-of-pocket cost.

Related: Plavix side effects

What is the brand for clopidogrel?

Clopidogrel is a generic drug; its full generic name is clopidogrel bisulfate. It’s also available as brand-name Plavix, but the cash price of the brand-name drug is almost the same as the generic version. 

Is clopidogrel covered by insurance?

As a life-saving generic drug, clopidogrel is usually covered by health insurance for FDA-approved uses. Clopidogrel coverage is also common with Medicare drug plans, Medicaid, the VA, and Tricare. However, brand-name Plavix may not be covered by some of these plans. There are generally no restrictions on clopidogrel, but some plans may impose quantity limits.

How much does clopidogrel cost without insurance?

Without insurance coverage, people can expect to pay an average of $200 for 30, 75 mg tablets of clopidogrel, which is enough medicine to last 30 days. That same prescription for brand-name Plavix will cost an average of $280. Treatment duration is variable, but the average annual cost for clopidogrel works out to about $2,400. Health insurance will lower the out-of-pocket cost, but what people end up paying will depend on the insurance plan’s formulary. As a general rule, insurance companies place clopidogrel in their lowest drug tier, meaning that the copay obligation should be low or minimal. 

While there are alternative blood thinners that may be more affordable, cardiologists and heart surgeons follow well-established and relatively rigid guidelines when treating serious medical conditions such as heart attack, chest pain, stroke, and blood vessel diseases. It’s a good idea to remember that if clopidogrel has been prescribed, it is probably the most effective life-saving medication for the problem. 

RELATED: Clopidogrel alternatives: What can I take instead of clopidogrel? 

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 updated drug prices.

How to get clopidogrel without insurance

Although clopidogrel is a lower-priced generic, it still may be difficult to afford without insurance coverage. Cost is even more of a concern because of all the other medical bills associated with serious medical conditions like heart disease, heart surgery, or stroke. Drug manufacturers are unlikely to provide patient assistance programs, coupons, or rebates for generic Plavix. Luckily, there are more reliable ways to unlock savings, even big savings. Here are some options. Start with a 30-day supply of clopidogrel for only $4 by using a SingleCare discount card.

1. Pay only $4 for clopidogrel with a SingleCare prescription savings card

Using a SingleCare savings card can reduce the cost of a 30-day supply of clopidogrel from $200 to $4. The yearly cost? $48 as opposed to $2,400. The discount price will vary by participating pharmacy, so visit SingleCare’s clopidogrel coupon page to explore the best values at convenient local pharmacies. 

2. Shop for the lowest price

Simply looking for lower prices can net big savings. Currently, the lowest chain pharmacy price for clopidogrel is $26 for 30, 75 mg tablets. That’s $170 off the average retail price. The annual cost? $300 instead of $2,400. A SingleCare savings card can reap even more savings.

3. Consider health insurance

Serious, long-term medical conditions like blood vessel problems, heart attack, stroke, and heart surgery are going to cost money over the long term. While it’s possible to save on a prescription for clopidogrel, all the other costs could be overwhelming month after month, year after year. It may be time to look into health insurance. Start with the healthcare marketplace for your state or talk to an agent. Local health department staff may also be able to help find the most affordable and effective plans.

4. Consider Medicaid

If health insurance is difficult to afford, you may qualify for Medicaid coverage. Premiums and out-of-pocket costs are minimal and, in some cases, zero. Medicaid coverage has income requirements, so check your state’s Medicaid site for eligibility. 

5. Talk to the prescriber

There are less expensive treatments, but they may not be suitable. For serious conditions like heart disease or stroke, healthcare professionals follow well-established treatment guidelines that they are not likely to depart from. However, it doesn’t hurt to ask the prescriber for medical advice about more affordable alternatives.