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Is furosemide covered by insurance? | How much does furosemide cost without insurance? | How to get furosemide without insurance
Furosemide is a generic diuretic (“water pill”) that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to reduce swelling due to fluid retention in people with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or kidney disease. Healthcare providers also use it to reduce high blood pressure. Furosemide belongs to a family of drugs called loop diuretics. These are among the most powerful diuretics. Healthcare professionals generally reserve them for serious medical conditions like heart failure or liver disease. Furosemide is a lower-priced generic drug, but the cost can add up over the months if health insurance is lacking. It helps to know a few tips to bring the price down.
Related: Lasix side effects | Furosemide side effects
What is the brand name for furosemide?
Furosemide is familiarly known by its brand name, Lasix. Most people, however, will be prescribed the generic version. Generic furosemide tablets are about half the cost of brand-name Lasix.
Is furosemide covered by insurance?
As a life-saving drug, furosemide is usually covered by health insurance, Medicare Part D, Medicaid, TRICARE, and the VA. However, coverage may vary. The out-of-pocket expense should be low. Insurance plans typically place furosemide in their lowest copay tiers, but there may be other costs, such as deductibles or coinsurance, to pay.
How much does furosemide cost without insurance?
People without insurance may have to pay the full retail cost when picking up a furosemide prescription. The average cash price is $19 for 30, 20 mg tablets. A quantity of 30 tablets could last anywhere from two weeks to a month since healthcare professionals can ask patients to take one or two pills each day. If the dosage is twice daily, the monthly cost will exceed $35—about $400 per year of treatment. Furosemide oral solution or injections may cost more.
Furosemide is one of the cheapest options for treating edema and high blood pressure. Drugs similar to furosemide include torsemide and bumetanide. Both are low-priced but about twice the price of furosemide.
Other types of diuretics can be used, but they may not be suitable for people who need furosemide therapy. In some cases, adverse effects like electrolyte imbalances may make it necessary to switch to other diuretics, such as potassium-sparing diuretics. Among the cheapest is the thiazide diuretic hydrochlorothiazide. Taken once per day for all the same problems as furosemide, it costs about half the price.
For people taking furosemide to treat hypertension, it may be possible to use other blood pressure-lowering drugs. However, many people given furosemide for high blood pressure will already have tried other diuretics. Other blood pressure drugs may not be as effective as furosemide at reducing blood pressure. Get medical advice from a healthcare provider about the most appropriate treatment.
For serious issues such as heart failure, liver disease, or high blood pressure, over-the-counter medications, supplements, or diuretic herbs are not suitable substitutes for prescription diuretics.
The least expensive option might be to use a SingleCare prescription discount card. At SingleCare participating pharmacies, the lowest discount price for furosemide is only $1. That will purchase at least a 15-day supply. When totaled over the year, furosemide will only cost $24 by relying on SingleCare.
RELATED: Furosemide alternatives: What can I take instead of furosemide?
Compare Lasix (furosemide) prices to related drugs |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Furosemide | $19 per 30, 20 mg tablets | $1 per 30, 20 mg tablets of generic furosemide | See latest prices |
| Brand-name furosemide
(Lasix) |
$49 per 30, 40 mg tablets | $1 per 30, 20 mg tablets of brand-name Lasix | See latest prices |
| Hydrochlorothiazide | $17 per 30, 25 mg tablets | Less than $1 per 30, 25 mg tablets of generic hydrochlorothiazide | See latest prices |
| Spironolactone | $19 per 30, 25 mg tablets | $2 per 30, 25 mg tablets of generic spironolactone | See latest prices |
| Nifedipine | $44 per 30, 10 mg capsules | $7 per 30, 10 mg capsules of generic nifedipine | See latest prices |
| Valsartan | $133 per 30, 160 mg tablets | $6 per 30, 160 mg tablets of generic valsartan | See latest prices |
| Lisinopril | $27 per 30, 10 mg tablets | Less than $1 per 30, 10 mg tablets of generic lisinopril | 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 furosemide without insurance
Furosemide prices are low compared to other generic drugs. However, paying for the drug month after month can add up. In fact, at two pills a day, it can add up to almost $400 per year. A few cost-saving strategies can not only help make furosemide more affordable, but almost free.
1. Use a SingleCare prescription savings card
With a free coupon from SingleCare, the lowest price for a 30-day supply of furosemide oral tablets is $1 to $2. At that price, each furosemide tablet costs about three cents. SingleCare discount prices will vary depending on the participating pharmacy. A list of SingleCare discounts can be found on SingleCare’s furosemide coupon page. Read the FAQs section on this page for more savings and drug information.
2. Shop for the lowest price
Different pharmacies may charge different prices for the same generic drugs. The differences may be significant. Based on SingleCare’s price history for furosemide, the lowest pharmacy price for 30 tablets of furosemide is $6. The highest is $21. Simply buying at the lowest price saves $15 a month. Start price-shopping by using SingleCare’s pharmacy finder to track down local pharmacies.
3. Look into Medicaid
If lower-cost prescription drugs like furosemide are challenging to pay for, Medicaid may be an option. Premiums are either low or free. So are all out-of-pocket costs for office visits, procedures, tests, and prescription drugs. Find out if you’re eligible by visiting your state’s Medicaid website or calling a local healthcare official.
4. Look into Medicare Extra Help
Medicare LIS (Low Income Subsidy) is another government-funded insurance program like Medicaid, but it’s intended for people receiving Medicare benefits. It will have many of the same income eligibility requirements, so visit your state’s Medicaid website or talk to a community health department official.
