Key takeaways
- The cost of Rybelsus can vary depending on insurance coverage, dosage, and the pharmacy you use, but you may save money by comparing pharmacies or using coupons.
- Rybelsus is currently only available as a brand-name drug.
- You may be able to lower your long-term costs for Rybelsus by getting a 90-day supply or using a mail-order pharmacy.
Several factors can affect the price you’ll pay for Rybelsus, including your treatment plan and the pharmacy you use.
- Comparing pharmacies: The price of Rybelsus may vary depending on which pharmacy you use, so it can help to compare prices across pharmacies to find the lowest cost.
- Drug coupons: You may be able to find drug coupons on prescription discount websites that can reduce the cost of your medication. These coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits, but the discounted price may be lower than what you would pay through insurance.
- Financial assistance: Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
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Rybelsus only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.
Brand-name drugs, including Rybelsus, tend to be more expensive than generics.
Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug exclusively for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.
If you take Rybelsus long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:
- Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication: You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Rybelsus if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Rybelsus. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
- Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication: Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Rybelsus. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need help covering the cost of Rybelsus or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:
- Rybelsus savings card
- online form for checking your insurance coverage for Rybelsus
- NeedyMeds
- Medicine Assistance Tool
- prescription discount programs
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 paying for Rybelsus, including what your cost per month may be, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. For questions about whether your insurance plan covers Rybelsus, contact your plan provider.
The following are answers to some frequently asked questions about Rybelsus and cost.
How much does Rybelsus cost without insurance vs. with insurance?
The cost of Rybelsus can vary based on a few factors, including the pharmacy you use and your insurance coverage (if you have it). In general, prescription drugs such as Rybelsus cost more without insurance.
To find out how much you’ll pay for Rybelsus, talk with your pharmacist. If you have insurance coverage, you can call your insurance provider and ask what Rybelsus may cost you.
You can also check out this website from the manufacturer to see what your estimated cost for Rybelsus may be.
What’s the cost of Rybelsus with Medicare?
The cost of Rybelsus with Medicare can vary depending on certain factors. These include your specific Medicare plan and the pharmacy you use.
To find out whether your Medicare plan covers the cost of Rybelsus, call your plan provider. There are many different types of Medicare plans, and your cost and coverage depend on your particular plan’s benefits.
You can check an estimate of what your costs may be on this website. Your pharmacist can also provide more information about how much you’ll pay for Rybelsus.
Why is Rybelsus so expensive?
Brand-name drugs like Rybelsus are generally more expensive than generic equivalents due to the years of testing they must undergo. Rybelsus manufacturers can also exclusively sell this medication for 20 years before other manufacturers can make and sell generic equivalents.
These factors can lead to Rybelsus being more expensive, and there is currently no generic equivalent.
Does the cost of Rybelsus depend on the tablet strength (3 mg, 7 mg, or 14 mg)?
No, the cost of Rybelsus usually doesn’t depend on the tablet strength in milligrams (mg). But keep in mind that the price you pay for Rybelsus will depend on several other factors. These include the pharmacy you use and your insurance coverage (if you have it).
To learn more about what your cost for Rybelsus will be, talk with your pharmacist, doctor, or insurance provider.
You may want to consider the following information if you have insurance and take Rybelsus.
If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Rybelsus. This means the company and your doctor will discuss the drug in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether Rybelsus 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 Rybelsus requires prior authorization.
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.