If you’re exploring treatment plans for alcohol and opioid dependence, you might come across Vivitrol.
Vivitrol is a name-brand prescription drug that’s FDA-approved to treat alcohol and opioid use disorder.
It’s typically used alongside other treatments such as counseling or therapy. Vivitrol is administered in the form of a monthly injection that releases naltrexone, its main active ingredient, slowly over a four-week period.
The cost of Vivitrol is based on a few different factors. For example, the dosage you require, your health insurance, and what pharmacy you get it from.
Today, we’ll discuss a few different ways you can get Vivitrol at a discount. We’ll cover their savings program, as well as what insurance, government aid, and other programs can help cover the cost.
How Much Is Vivitrol?
The cost of Vivitrol varies based on a few different factors. What dosage you’re prescribed, where you get it from, and the specifics of your healthcare insurance all play big roles in final price point.
Typically, you’ll have to pay for each individual injection of Vivitrol. A standard dose is 380 mg, but your treatment plan might call for more or less based on your circumstances.
You’ll also need to cover base costs like getting the Vivitrol injected by a healthcare professional. You should always speak to your healthcare provider directly before assuming how much Vivitrol is going to cost you.
The actual cost of Vivitrol can vary a lot between pharmacies. As of writing, the cost of a single Vivitrol shot sits at around $1,700. But remember that this figure is for the cost of Vivitrol alone; if you’re purchasing it alongside a treatment program or other costs, the price might be a lot higher or lower.
Where To Get A Vivitrol Discount?
Now that we’ve covered how much Vivitrol costs, it’s important to look at the ways you can get the drug discounted or even better, for free. Let’s go into a few different options you can explore.
VIVITROL® Co-Pay Savings Program
Vivitrol has its own savings program that eligible patients can utilize to get the injections discounted. However, you will have to meet certain eligibility requirements.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible for Vivitrol’s savings program, you must be at least 18 years old and have a valid Vivitrol prescription. Eligible patients can be enrolled in commercial healthcare insurance, as well as not having any insurance.
Vivitrol’s savings program unfortunately isn’t available for patients enrolled with federal or state healthcare programs. This includes Medicare and Medicaid.
Savings offered
Vivitrol’s savings program doesn’t completely cover the cost of each Vivitrol shot. However, it can subsidize part of the cost.
They offer up to $500 off each shot of Vivitrol, with the maximum being 12 shots in a calendar year. That means you could potentially save up to $6000 if you used Vivitrol for a full year.
How to enroll and use the program
To utilize this program, you just need to sign up for a co-pay card. This is a fairly simple process that you can either do yourself or with the help of your doctor or healthcare provider.
You’ll first need to confirm your eligibility for the program. This means declaring what healthcare insurance you’re currently under, and then basic things like your date of birth and what you’re using Vivitrol for.
Then you’ll receive a co-pay card which can help cover the costs of each Vivitrol injection.
Insurance Coverage and Benefits Verification
There are a few other ways you can get discounted Vivitrol if you’re not eligible for their savings program.
One way is through your healthcare insurance company. However, the coverage you get will vary based on the specifics of your coverage and your treatment plan.
Another factor to consider is the specifics of the coverage in your specific state. The best way to look into this is through contacting your insurance provider directly. You can also try speaking to your doctor about what options are open for you.
Most likely, your doctor will already discuss your insurance coverage before starting Vivitrol treatment. This ensures that you know what your treatment is going to cost before you get started, and you can choose to look into other payment options as well.
Government Assistance and Medicaid
You can also get federal or state assistance to cover the costs of Vivitrol. If you’re signed up for Medicaid, for example, you can get the costs either partially or fully discounted.
However, the coverage might be different depending on what state you live in. You might have to meet some eligibility requirements before you can make the most of this benefit.
Whatever the case, make sure you speak to your healthcare provider to learn the specifics of your situation and your state laws first.
Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)
Another option to get Vivitrol discounted is to reach out to Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs). These are programs that aim to help patients with little or no healthcare insurance cover costs related to medications.
PAPs are generally sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, nonprofits, or government agencies. They can either fully or partially cover the cost of Vivitrol based on your specific circumstances. You’ll likely have to meet certain criteria to utilize these programs.
You should do your research into what PAPs are eligible to support you. A good place to start is by talking to your doctor or looking into PAPs that cover your area.
Final Thoughts
Vivitrol is an FDA-approved drug for treating opioid or alcohol dependence. The retail price of Vivitrol might be slightly staggering, but there are plenty of ways you can find it discounted or even free.
Make sure you discuss with your healthcare provider first about the risks before starting Vivitrol treatment. Deciding whether Vivitrol is right for you is the first step you should take before tackling the potential costs.
Sources:
- https://www.vivitrol.com/alcohol-dependence/co-pay-savings-program
- https://www.addictionresource.net/mat/naltrexone/vivitrol/cost/medicaid-coverage/
- https://www.addictionresource.net/mat/naltrexone/vivitrol/cost/
- https://www.singlecare.com/prescription/vivitrol
- https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/vivitrol
