Breztri savings tips

In this article:

• How much does Breztri cost?
• Can I get Breztri for free?
• How to save money on Breztri
• Is there a cheaper alternative to Breztri?

In this article

• How much does Breztri cost?
• Can I get Breztri for free?
• How to save money on Breztri
• Is there a cheaper alternative to Breztri?

From 2017 to 2020, the hospitalization rate for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) dropped significantly, from 233.6 per 100,000 cases to just 101.3. That’s thanks in part to new COPD treatments and medications like the Breztri Aerosphere inhaler. The three-in-one treatment that includes budesonide, glycopyrrolate, and formoterol fumarate has been proven effective in treating the symptoms of conditions like emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

However, that effectiveness comes at a cost. As a brand-name drug, Breztri’s average cost isn’t what most people would call cheap, but there are ways to bring it down. In this article, we’ve provided the essential details on a few of the most reliable money-saving methods. 

How much does Breztri cost?

For someone paying completely out of pocket, with no discounts or insurance coverage, Breztri costs an average of $860 for a 30-day supply. That’s around $29 per dose and could add up to over $10,000 per year—which might not be doable for everyone.

Most people who have a Medicare Part D plan or private insurance might not have to pay that much, though, since many of these plans cover Breztri. But it’s important to check with your insurance provider since “some plans may cover Breztri under a high-tier copay, while others might not cover it at all, leading to high out-of-pocket expenses,” said Sazan Sylejmani, Pharm.D., a pharmacist in Westmont, Illinois.

According to data from the IQVIA Institute, the average out-of-pocket cost for people with private health insurance coverage is $55.73 per month, and for people with Medicare drug coverage, it’s $54.83 per month. With Medicaid, the price might drop down to $0.99-$1.35 per month, according to the drug’s manufacturer, AstraZeneca.

Of course, you’ll need to examine your plan’s formulary for the details about how, exactly, it covers Breztri. “In my work, I’ve seen patients struggle with the nuances of insurance coverage, where some are covered under their plan, and others face high out-of-pocket costs due to deductibles or formulary restrictions,” said Robert McLaughlin II, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Boston Concierge Orthopedics. Some plans might also require prior authorization—confirmation that Breztri is medically necessary—or trying other medication first. 

Can I get Breztri for free?

Whether or not you have insurance, it’s possible to get Breztri for free through two different programs.

For uninsured individuals or eligible commercially insured patients, the Breztri Zero Pay program may provide the medication at no cost. To qualify, you can’t be enrolled in any federal- or state-funded assistance programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, TriCare, and Veterans Affairs benefits. In the fine print, the terms and conditions state that there is a maximum savings limit.

AstraZeneca also has a patient assistance program. Called AZ&Me, it’s specifically for uninsured individuals and people who have Medicare but still need help paying for their prescription drugs. If you don’t have private insurance, meet other requirements, and have an annual adjusted gross income at or below 300% of the Federal Poverty Level, the company will provide Breztri for free. The savings program lasts for one year, and you can re-enroll after that.

How to save money on Breztri

Not everyone is eligible for Breztri Zero Pay and AZ&Me, but those aren’t the only ways to save money on Breztri either. Here are a few more.

1. Get free Breztri Aerosphere coupons

SingleCare offers discounts on prescription drugs, including Breztri, at any of over 35,000 participating pharmacies nationwide. In some cases, these discounts can take more than $200 off the price. For example, the average retail price of Breztri Aerosphere at the time this article was written was $860 for a 30-day supply, but a SingleCare coupon could bring that down to $540, depending on your choice of pharmacy. Everyone is eligible, even people who have Medicare or private health insurance. However, you can’t use SingleCare discounts on top of insurance coverage, so you’ll need to see which can get you the better price.

2. Get a 90-day prescription

Doctors often write 30-day prescriptions, but sometimes, 90-day prescriptions are actually less expensive in the long run. A one-time 90-day copay can be lower than three 30-day copays. Studies have demonstrated that patients who get three months’ worth of their medication at a time not only save money but also stick to their treatment regimen better. “This approach not only reduces the frequency of pharmacy visits but often comes with a lower cost per dose,” Dr. Sylejmani said. 

3. Look into government or nonprofit assistance

The federal government, state governments, and certain nonprofit companies all offer prescription assistance for eligible individuals. For Medicare beneficiaries who meet the eligibility requirements, Medicare Extra Help can help cover Part D expenses. Each state also has its own pharmaceutical assistance programs, and the Patient Advocate Foundation’s Co-Pay Relief program can be a solid resource for people with private insurance plans.

4. Shop around

It might seem strange to compare prices on medications, but since there’s not one regulatory price for Breztri, each pharmacy sets its own rates. Sometimes, the difference in prices between pharmacies can amount to thousands every year. In fact, a study from the U.S. Public Interest Research Groups found patients could save up to $5,400 per year by paying minimum drug prices instead of median prices. Calling around before you get your prescription filled could lead to significant savings.

5. Ask about alternatives and two-inhaler treatment

Because Breztri contains three different medications, it’s a pretty convenient treatment. But those medications (or ones like them) can come as two separate inhalers as well. “I’ve seen patients use similar combination inhalers with corticosteroids, long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMA), and long-acting beta-agonists (LABA) that might offer a lower cost alternative depending on the generic availability and insurance coverage,” Dr. McLaughlin said.

For some people, using two inhalers might be cheaper, but it could be more expensive for others. Plus, it might make it harder to stick to a consistent treatment plan since studies suggest that single-inhaler triple therapy encourages higher persistence than multiple inhalers. Either way, it might be worth asking your healthcare provider.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Breztri?

Not every COPD medication works for every person. Healthcare providers often use a guide called the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease to determine the best course of treatment. Breztri doesn’t have a generic version, and not every Breztri alternative will work for your specific case, but there are still plenty of other options for doctors to consider.

• Triple therapy inhalers: The only other fixed-dose combination triple therapy inhaler currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration is Trelegy Ellipta. It combines fluticasone furoate, umeclidinium, and vilanterol to treat not just COPD but also asthma. However, its average price is $880 for a 30-day supply, so it might not come any cheaper than Breztri.

 RELATED: Can you take Breztri Aerosphere for asthma?

• LABA/LAMA inhalers: Some combination inhalers, specifically Duaklir Pressair and Anoro Ellipta, combine a LABA LAMA. These may come cheaper—Anoro Ellipta costs $170 on average for a month’s supply—although certain people might need a second inhaler with an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), since there’s not one included in the formula.
• LABA/ICS inhalers: Further, combination inhalers like Advair Diskus/Advair HFA, Breo Ellipta, and Dulera include a LABA and a corticosteroid. These are common alternatives and may cost a couple hundred dollars less. However, some clinical trials have shown that these don’t significantly reduce the primary outcome of mortality in COPD patients when compared with a placebo. To have all three inhaled drug classes like Breztri, you would need to add a LAMA inhaler to the regimen with a LABA/ICS inhaler.
• Corticosteroid inhalers: Pulmicort Flexhaler, Fluticasone Propionate HFA, and other purely corticosteroid inhalers might be cheaper than Breztri, but they might not be comprehensive enough to treat certain cases of COPD. A LABA/LAMA combination inhaler would also have to be used with one of these ICS inhalers to get the three drug types that Breztri offers.
• Beta-2 agonists: Similar to corticosteroids, drugs like albuterol or Perforomist might come at lower prices, but certain cases of COPD might require a more comprehensive medication. Albuterol is better suited as a short-acting, rescue medication for acute symptom relief rather than daily prevention. As a LABA, Perforomist would need an lCS inhaler and a LAMA inhaler to get all three medication categories like Breztri. 

Ultimately, it’s up to the healthcare provider to give medical advice on the best medication for each patient. No matter which route they recommend, most COPD patients need a fast-acting rescue inhaler to use during an attack. This is in addition to their regular maintenance inhaler rather than an alternative treatment.