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Is EpiPen covered by insurance? | How much does EpiPen cost without insurance? | How to get EpiPen without insurance
EpiPen and EpiPen Jr are brand-name epinephrine injections used in emergencies to control severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis. Intramuscular epinephrine injections are considered the first-line emergency treatment for severe allergic reactions. EpiPen is an epinephrine auto-injector (EAI). It can be easily carried and readily used during a crisis. Both EpiPen and EpiPen Jr carry a premium price. People without insurance coverage can expect to pay $800 for a carton with two pen injectors. Unfortunately, generic EAIs cost about the same.
What is the generic for EpiPen?
The active ingredient in EpiPen is epinephrine. There are currently three FDA-approved generic versions of epinephrine auto-injectors on the market. One of them, manufactured by Mylan, is an authorized generic version of EpiPen. A second is the generic version of brand-name Adrenaclick, but this brand is no longer sold in the U.S. A third is manufactured by Teva Pharmaceuticals. The three generic versions cost less than EpiPen and EpiPen Jr, but only the authorized generic made by Mylan is interchangeable for EpiPen. This means if your doctor prescribes EpiPen, your pharmacy can only attempt to substitute the Mylan generic form. The three generic forms are not interchangeable amongst each other, and if you want a non-Mylan generic, your doctor will have to prescribe that product specifically
Is EpiPen covered by insurance?
EpiPen and EpiPen Jr are covered by some health insurance plans, but other plans don’t cover them. However, insurance plans almost universally cover generic epinephrine auto-injectors.
Medicare drug plans and Medicaid are less likely to cover brand-name EpiPen. Again, they will cover generic epinephrine auto-injectors or prefilled syringes. People with military benefits (Tricare) or VA benefits are covered for brand-name EpiPen.
Insurance plans usually place EpiPen in their higher copay tiers. In addition to the copay, insurance providers may tack on extra charges for coinsurance, deductibles, or coverage gap costs. If the out-of-pocket cost is challenging, then switching to a generic version may help. Insurance companies usually place generic epinephrine autoinjectors in their lowest copay tier even though the price is just a little lower than brand-name EpiPens.
How much does EpiPen cost without insurance?
People without insurance coverage will have to pay the full cash price—$800—for an EpiPen or EpiPen Jr two-pack carton. That works out to $400 per auto-injector, but it’s difficult to determine the cost of treatment. Epinephrine is an emergency treatment that may never be needed or used frequently. During a severe allergic reaction, most people will only need one dose of epinephrine. Sometimes two doses or more will be needed.
Ask a prescribing healthcare provider about generic epinephrine injections. Three generic epinephrine auto-injectors are available in the U.S. Their average cost is about $750 for two auto-injectors. Prefilled syringes will cost even less, but they are less ready for use than epinephrine pens.
The best solution may be to use a SingleCare prescription discount card when purchasing EpiPens or generic epinephrine. With a free coupon from SingleCare, two EpiPen or EpiPen Jr auto-injectors can be purchased for as low as $420. The lowest SingleCare discount price for two generic epinephrine auto-injectors is only $160. Two prefilled syringes can be purchased for as low as $20 using SingleCare.
RELATED: What you need to know about EpiPen alternatives
Compare EpiPen (epinephrine) prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| EpiPen | $803 per 2, 0.3 mg/0.3 mL auto-injector pens | $420 per 2, 0.3 mg/0.3 mL auto-injector pens of brand-name EpiPen | See latest prices |
| Generic EpiPen (epinephrine) | $753 per 2, 0.15 mg/0.3 mL auto-injector pens | $164 per 2, 0.15 mg/0.3 mL of generic epinephrine | See latest prices |
| Auvi-Q | $2365 per 6, 0.3 mg/0.3 mL auto-injector pens | $420 per 6, 0.3 mg/0.3 mL auto-injector pens of brand-name Auvi-Q | See latest prices |
| Symjepi | $318 per 2, 0.3 mg/0.3 mL prefilled syringe | $254 per 2, 0.3 mg/0.3 mL prefilled syringe of brand-name Symjepi | 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 link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
How to get EpiPen without insurance
Epinephrine injections are a life-saving medication for people with severe or life-threatening allergies. If the cost of EpiPens is unsustainable, then finding a way to save money is imperative. One alternative is to apply to the manufacturer’s patient assistance program, but not everyone can meet eligibility requirements. Viatris also offers an EpiPen Savings Card, but that only saves money for people with commercial insurance coverage. Fortunately, there are many other alternative ways to find discounts or savings starting with a SingleCare prescription discount card.
1. Use a free coupon from SingleCare
The lowest price for an EpiPen 2-Pak using a SingleCare savings card is $420, nearly half the average retail price. will vary by participating pharmacy, so browse current savings prices on SingleCare’s EpiPen 2-Pak coupons page and EpiPen Jr 2-Pak coupons page.
2. Look for the lowest price
Another way to unlock savings is to compare pharmacy prices. For higher-priced drugs like EpiPen, finding the lowest price could save almost $100. Find the nearest local pharmacy with SingleCare’s pharmacy finder.
3. Ask for a generic epinephrine auto-injector prescription
Significant savings can be had by switching to a generic auto-injector and then using a SingleCare prescription discount card. The process may be somewhat involved, but the prescribing healthcare provider can help make sure you get the right generic.
4. Ask the prescriber about generic epinephrine prefilled syringes
You can save by switching to a generic epinephrine prefilled syringe. With a SingleCare savings card, the lowest price for two prefilled epinephrine syringes is only $20. However, using those syringes is not as easy as using pen injectors, and many pharmacies do not have the availability to dispense epinephrine this way. Get medical advice from the prescriber before switching.
5. Sign up for a health plan
Chronic and potentially catastrophic illnesses such as severe allergies or severe food allergies may eventually rack up overwhelming obligations. Health insurance may be the cheapest option when everything is added up, including the high costs of emergency care. Start by browsing your state’s health insurance marketplace.
6. Enroll in Medicaid
If health insurance is not affordable, you may qualify for Medicaid. In that case, eligible patients can purchase EpiPen cartons or the generic with little or no out-of-pocket cost. Find your state’s Medicaid website to research eligibility requirements and start the enrollment process.
