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Key takeaways
Breo Ellipta, a medication for asthma and COPD, is expensive without insurance, costing about $4,600 annually. It is often covered by insurance, but out-of-pocket costs will vary.
There are no generic versions of Breo Ellipta, but alternatives for maintenance treatment of asthma and COPD include generic corticosteroid inhalers, LABAs, and anticholinergic inhalers.
Savings on Breo Ellipta without insurance can be achieved through methods like using a SingleCare savings card, asking your healthcare provider about less expensive treatments, and purchasing health insurance.
Other ways to reduce costs include enrolling in Medicaid, utilizing community resources for discounted medications, and comparing pharmacy prices.
Is Breo Ellipta covered by insurance | How much does Breo Ellipta cost without insurance? | How to get Breo Ellipta without insurance
Breo Ellipta is a brand-name inhaled medication used for long-term maintenance treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes both chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Combining fluticasone furoate, an inhaled corticosteroid, with vilanterol, a long-acting bronchodilator, Breo Ellipta prevents asthma attacks and COPD flare-ups. Breo Ellipta is not suitable, however, as a rescue inhaler. For both asthma and COPD, Breo Ellipta is inhaled once daily in one of two dosage strengths (100 mcg/25 mcg or 200 mcg/25 mcg). There are no over-the-counter or generic versions of fluticasone-vilanterol, so people without health insurance coverage may need to pay the full cash price for their prescription.
RELATED: Breo Ellipta side effects | Is it safe to mix Breo Ellipta and alcohol?
Is Breo Ellipta covered by insurance?
Breo Ellipta is covered by some commercial health insurance plans and Medicare Part D drug plans. However, no commercial health insurance plan or Medicare Part D currently covers Breo Ellipta without restrictions, so the insurance company may require prior authorization or that other drugs be tried first.
How much does Breo Ellipta cost without insurance?
A single Breo Ellipta inhalation pack with 28 blisters, a 14-day supply, has an average retail price of $182. Because Breo Ellipta is intended for months or years of daily dosing, that means people without insurance coverage can expect to spend $4,600 or more per year for this medicine. Insurance can help bring down this cost, but the actual out-of-pocket costs will depend on the policy’s formulary, deductible, and coinsurance percentage. Some insurance companies may have restrictions on Breo Ellipta coverage.
Breo Ellipta is a unique medication in its combination of fluticasone and vilanterol, but other prescription inhalants also combine a high-dose inhaled corticosteroid with a long-acting beta agonist (LABA). Most are expensive brand-name drugs, but there are generic versions of at least one of them (Advair Diskus), which is sold as Wixela Inhub and as fluticasone-salmeterol.
If combination inhalants are too expensive, ask for medical advice about other FDA-approved COPD or asthma maintenance treatments. For asthma, these maintenance treatments include high-dose corticosteroid inhalants, long-acting beta-agonist inhalants (LABAs), oral leukotriene modifiers, and theophylline. People with COPD should ask the prescriber about less-expensive generic corticosteroid inhalers, LABAs, and anticholinergic inhalers.
Although over-the-counter medicines, natural remedies, and even dietary supplements may provide some relief for people with mild asthma or breathing problems, none can effectively or safely substitute for prescription medications in the treatment of COPD or moderate to severe asthma.
RELATED: COPD vs. asthma: Which is worse? | Breo vs. Advair
Compare Breo Ellipta prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Breo Ellipta (fluticasone-vilanterol) | $182 for 1 inhalation powder inhaler with 28 blisters (14 daily doses) | $152 for 1 inhalation powder inhaler with 28 blisters (14 daily doses) of generic Breo Ellipta | See updated prices |
| Symbicort (budesonide-formoterol) | $502 for 1 aerosol inhaler with 10.2 grams of 160-4.5 mcg per actuation (30 days) | $252 for 1 aerosol inhaler with 10.2 grams of 160-4.5 mcg per actuation (30 days) of brand-name Symbicort | See updated prices |
| Advair Diskus (fluticasone-salmeterol) | $527 for 1 inhalation powder inhaler with 60 doses (30 days) | $73 for 1 inhalation powder inhaler with 60 doses (30 days) of generic fluticasone-salmeterol | See updated prices |
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. The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see updated drug prices.
How to get Breo Ellipta without insurance
Breo Ellipta is an expensive medicine, even for people with health insurance. Unlike other high-priced medicines, the manufacturer, GlaxoSmithKline, does not offer a copay savings program, manufacturer coupons, or reimbursements. GSK does have a patient assistance program, but there are income and eligibility requirements. There are also no savings in buying a 90-day supply versus a 30-day supply. But there are other ways to save money, starting with a Breo Ellipta prescription discount using a SingleCare savings card.
RELATED: How do I search for savings?
1. Use a SingleCare savings card to fill a Breo Ellipta prescription
Anyone with a Breo Ellipta prescription can get a discount on a 14-day inhaler just by downloading or printing a SingleCare discount card. For a 30-day supply, the prescription cost can be reduced by almost 50%. Visit the Breo Ellipta free coupon page for updated prices.
2. Ask for medical advice about using less expensive treatments
If Breo Ellipta is simply unaffordable, then it’s worth asking a healthcare professional about less expensive alternatives. Make sure you understand the trade-offs and potential drug interactions involved before switching. It is always best to discuss the safety information with a healthcare professional prior to switching medication.
3. Consider purchasing health insurance
Asthma and COPD are lifelong medical conditions that may involve expensive treatments, frequent healthcare services, and long-term medications. In the long run, health insurance may be the best way to save money. Your state’s health insurance marketplace can give a good picture of the cost. Talk to an agent to make sure the medications and treatments you require are covered with a reasonable deductible and coinsurance percentage.
4. Enroll in Medicaid or CHIP
If commercial health insurance is too expensive, you may qualify for Medicaid. Many asthma and COPD maintenance treatments are covered and will probably only cost a few dollars a month. Check your state’s Medicaid website for eligibility requirements, enrollment, and additional information.
5. Use community resources
Community resources may help with finding discounted prescription medications. These include public health clinics and 340B providers where eligible patients can receive substantial prescription discounts. Talk to county and city health departments to find affordable public health resources that can also supply prescription medications.
6. Compare pharmacy prices
As a last resort, a proven way to save money is to hunt down the best price in your area, begin with SingleCare’s pharmacy finder page. Finding the local pharmacy that offers the lowest SingleCare discount price can maximize your savings.