Suboxone treatment has become indispensable in managing the ongoing opioid addiction crisis. That said, the cost of medication-assisted treatment can pile up, especially if the person has limited or no insurance.
The cost can vary based on your specific health plan and its benefits, but you can expect to pay as little as $5 per month if you’re eligible. You may even pay less if your insurance plan offers copay assistance.
Read on to learn more about how much Suboxone costs with and without insurance and how you can cover your treatment expenses.
How Much Does Suboxone Cost With Insurance?
Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires most major insurance providers to cover the cost of addiction treatment services, you can expect your health insurance provider to cover most if not all of the cost of your Suboxone prescriptions.
Common insurers that offer coverage for Suboxone include:
- Aetna
- TRICARE
- Humana
- Anthem (Elevance Health)
- Medicaid
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Kaiser
- UnitedHealth Group
Keep in mind that not all insurance providers offer the same level of coverage for Suboxone treatment. Though you may pay as little as $5 per month, some prescriptions may be more expensive than others depending on how much your insurer covers.
How Much Is Suboxone Without Insurance?
The exact price of Suboxone without insurance depends on the dosage and whether the medication is prescribed in strip/film or tablet form.
Generally, Suboxone strips are more expensive than tablets. And as you’d expect, the higher the dose the more the medication will cost.
Suboxone strips can cost you up to $600 per month, while a one-month supply of tablets can range from $90-$240 for lower doses and $360-$480 for higher doses.
Note: Opting for the generic form of Suboxone is more cost-effective than the brand-name version.
Factors That Affect the Price of Suboxone
Your Suboxone prescriptions may cost more or less based on the following factors:
- Your Deductible: The higher your deductible the more you’ll need to cover the cost out-of-pocket until the deductible is met.
- Copay Assistance: Some health insurance plans have a copay that can help reduce the cost a great deal.
- Coinsurance: With coinsurance, you pay for a small percentage of your prescription and your insurer pays the rest.
- Suboxone Formulation: Strips are typically more expensive than tablets, but this can vary depending on your location.
- Generic vs. Name Brand: Suboxone is a brand-name drug. It costs more than generic forms that are just as effective.
Tips for Navigating the Cost of Suboxone
Struggling to access or afford Suboxone? The following tips may help you:
Insurance Verification
Before starting Suboxone treatment, you should first verify your health insurance coverage. Reach out to your insurance provider or consult with a treatment center to understand your benefits.
Ask about copay amounts, deductibles, and potential limitations.
Patient Assistance Programs
If you encounter financial barriers, explore different patient assistance programs. Some pharmaceutical companies offer discounts or free medication to eligible patients. These programs can significantly reduce the cost of Suboxone.
Pharmacy Discounts
Another thing you can do is compare prices at different pharmacies. Some pharmacies may offer discounts or have preferred pricing for certain medications. Don’t hesitate to ask the pharmacist about cost-saving options.
Prescription Savings Card
Prescription savings cards provide discounts on prescription medications like Suboxone. You can find them online or inquire about them at your local pharmacy.
More About Suboxone
Suboxone is an FDA-approved medication designed to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). It combines two active ingredients: buprenorphine (a long-acting partial opioid agonist) and naloxone (an opioid receptor antagonist).
As a partial agonist, buprenorphine binds to opioid receptors but produces less pronounced opioid effects compared to full agonists like oxycodone or heroin.
It helps stabilize you during detox and manage withdrawal symptoms like nausea and chronic pain. It also helps with long-term maintenance therapy.
Concurrently, naloxone blocks opioid receptors, which prevents other opioids from attaching to them. It’s often administered by itself, but it’s included in Suboxone to discourage the misuse of buprenorphine and lower the risk of overdose.
Is Suboxone Worth It?
Suboxone is a lifeline for individuals battling opioid substance abuse. Whether you have insurance or not, knowing how much Suboxone costs and the factors that affect its pricing will help you make informed decisions.
Fortunately, several things may help you reduce the cost of Suboxone if you don’t have insurance, like patient assistance programs, prescription savings cards, and pharmacy discounts.
You can also opt for the generic version of Suboxone instead of the brand-name version.
Access Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Addiction Today
If you or someone you know needs help, don’t wait! Reach out to Curednation today. We’re available 24/7 to discuss treatment options and guide you towards a healthier, drug-free life.
