How much is methylprednisolone (Medrol) without insurance?

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

Methylprednisolone is a generic prescription corticosteroid used to treat a broad spectrum of inflammatory medical conditions, including arthritis, severe allergic reactions, eye conditions, blood disorders, autoimmune disorders such as psoriasis or multiple sclerosis, and hormone disorders such as adrenal gland insufficiency. As a corticosteroid, methylprednisolone reduces inflammation at lower doses and blocks the immune system at higher doses. Taken as a tablet or administered as an injection, methylprednisolone is used at a variety of dosages. Treatment can last from one or two days to several weeks. As a commonly prescribed generic drug, methylprednisolone, is a low-priced treatment, but more expensive than similar steroids. 

Related: Methylprednisolone dosage 

What is the brand name for methylprednisolone?

Methylprednisolone is the generic version of Medrol. Both Medrol and generic Medrol come as oral tablets. Medrol can also be purchased as Medrol Dosepak, a tablet therapy pack with four doses. Solu-Medrol and Depo-Medrol are the brand-name versions of methylprednisolone injections. 

Is methylprednisolone covered by insurance?

Methylprednisolone is covered by most health insurance plans, Medicare Part D drug plans, and Medicaid plans. Coverage varies by insurance plan. As a general rule, methylprednisolone is usually in lower copay tiers, so the copay cost should be low. Remember, the copay cost isn’t the only out-of-pocket expense. There may be coinsurance, deductibles, or extra costs because of coverage gaps.

How much does methylprednisolone cost without insurance?

Uninsured patients can expect to pay about $45 for 21 methylprednisolone tablets. Dosages vary from one to three tablets a day, so for many conditions, 21 tablets will be anywhere from a seven-day supply to a 21-day supply. Duration of treatment varies, making the total cost of methylprednisolone treatment hard to predict. 

Other commonly prescribed corticosteroid tablets often cost less than methylprednisolone. These include prednisone, dexamethasone, and hydrocortisone. These drugs work similarly to methylprednisolone and have many of the same side effects. There are slight differences, so ask the prescribing healthcare provider for medical advice when inquiring about lower-cost steroid treatments.

Depending on the condition being treated, there may be other lower-cost treatment options, including prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen. These alternatives often have fewer side effects compared to steroids. Steroids have problematic side effects such as weight gain, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, and increased blood sugar levels. Steroids also interfere with vaccine effectiveness. Before switching, get medical advice first. Other drugs and supplements may not be suitable substitutes for some conditions, like severe allergies or autoimmune disorders.

The cheapest alternative may be to use a free coupon from SingleCare when picking up a methylprednisolone prescription. The lowest price SingleCare offers for 21 methylprednisolone tablets is only $8.

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 methylprednisolone without insurance

Although the number of doses taken per day will vary, a week’s worth of methylprednisolone tablets will cost about $45. For most people, treatment usually lasts from a week to 10 days. Sometimes the medication dose is tapered. There are many ways to save money on generic drugs like methylprednisolone, so the pharmacy price doesn’t have to be the final price. The first place to start looking is a SingleCare prescription discount card. 

1. Save with a SingleCare discount card

A SingleCare savings card can reduce the cost of 21 methylprednisolone tablets to as little as $8 at participating pharmacies. Some participating pharmacies might have a higher discount price, so compare available savings on SingleCare’s methylprednisolone coupon page. Look for additional savings and drug information in the FAQs section.

2. Look for the lowest pharmacy price 

Not only do pharmacies charge different prices for the same generic drugs, but sometimes the price difference is dramatic. The lowest cash price for methylprednisolone tablets is over $20 less than the average retail price.

3. Talk to the prescribing healthcare provider about lower-priced glucocorticoids

Other generic corticosteroids work much the same way as methylprednisolone and are FDA-approved to treat many of the same medical conditions. The prescribing healthcare professional may have good medical advice about a lower-cost alternative, such as prednisone.

4. Talk to local healthcare officials about community resources

If it’s difficult to pay for needed prescription medications like methylprednisolone, a variety of local resources may provide help, like public health clinics and 340B providers. Find out more about local community resources and community clinics by contacting your county’s or city’s health department.

5. Enroll in Medicaid, CHIP, or Medicare Extra Help

As a permanent solution for lower-income patients, Medicaid and CHIP are designed to minimize out-of-pocket costs for office visits, medical procedures, and medications. Medicare LIS is a version of Medicaid drug coverage for people on Medicare. For eligibility requirements, enrollment instructions, and additional information, call or visit your state’s Medicaid website.

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