Key takeaways

  • The cost of Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) can depend on the condition you’re using it to treat, where you receive your injections, and whether you have insurance.
  • Botox’s effects typically last at least 3 months, but they can last longer. Your cost may vary depending on how often you need to receive follow-up injections.
  • In general, it’s likely that Botox costs more without insurance. But certain coupons and savings cards may help lower the price. Keep reading for details.

The price you pay for Botox can vary. Your cost may depend on whether Botox is approved to treat your condition, the complexity of the treatment, your dosage, your health insurance (if you have it), and where you receive your injections.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Botox, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.

Botox is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms. Botox isn’t available in a biosimilar form. Biosimilars are like generic drugs, but they’re made for biologic drugs.

Why is there such a cost difference between biologic drugs and biosimilar drugs?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research and testing needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, other drug manufacturers can create biosimilar versions. This competition in the market may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. And because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower costs for biosimilars.

If you need help covering the cost of Botox or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for Botox, talk with your doctor.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Botox and cost.

How much do Botox injections cost without insurance?

The cost of Botox injections without insurance will depend on several factors, including:

  • your Botox dosage (how many units you’ll need)
  • the complexity of the procedure
  • whether you require some form of anesthesia
  • where the procedure takes place (doctor’s office or hospital)
  • the need for additional imaging tools, such as electromyography or ultrasonography

The current list price for Botox is $1,292 for a 200-unit vial. But the price you pay may be different. You can find more cost information on the drug manufacturer’s website.

One program that you might qualify for if you’re uninsured or can’t afford Botox is called myAbbVie Assist. You can call them at 800-222-6885.

Your doctor may also be aware of savings programs for you, depending on the condition you’re using Botox to treat. To find out how much you’ll pay for Botox injections without insurance, talk with your doctor.

Is Botox covered by Medicare?

While Medicare doesn’t cover Botox for cosmetic purposes, it will usually cover approved medical uses. Approved medical uses are listed in the drug’s prescribing information.

When prescribed as a treatment for one of these conditions, Botox is given as an injection in a doctor’s office or another healthcare facility. Medicare Part B covers approved outpatient medical services.

To learn more, you can read this article about Botox and Medicare. Your doctor will likely be able to provide additional information, too. But to find out if your plan will cover Botox, it’s best to talk with your Medicare plan provider directly.

You may want to consider the following information if you have insurance and receive Botox injections.

Prior authorization: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Botox. This means the company and your doctor will discuss the drug in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether Botox is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Botox requires prior authorization.

Type of insurance coverage: Botox is given by your doctor or another healthcare professional. If you have insurance, the price of your Botox doses may be billed through your medical coverage instead of the prescription drug portion of your insurance plan. This depends on your specific insurance plan and where you receive your Botox doses, such as at your doctor’s office, an infusion clinic, or a hospital. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.

If you still have questions about the cost of Botox, talk with your doctor. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Botox.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • How does my dosage affect the cost of my Botox injections?
  • If I can’t afford Botox injections, what are my options?
  • Am I charged for unused units of Botox?
  • Is it cheaper to receive my Botox injections at a surgical center or at the hospital?
  • If you suggest sedation or general anesthesia for my Botox injections, how much will I have to pay for this?

To learn more about Botox, see these articles:

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.