How much is Combivent Respimat without insurance?

In this article:

• What is the generic for Combivent Respimat?
• How much does Combivent Respimat cost without insurance?
• Is Combivent Respimat covered by insurance?
• Compare Combivent Respimat prices to related drugs
• How to get Combivent Respimat without insurance

In this article

• What is the generic for Combivent Respimat?
• How much does Combivent Respimat cost without insurance?
• Is Combivent Respimat covered by insurance?
• Compare Combivent Respimat prices to related drugs
• How to get Combivent Respimat without insurance

Combivent Respimat is a combination of the drugs albuterol and ipratropium, commonly prescribed to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—a group of pulmonary medical conditions (like chronic bronchitis) that make breathing difficult. As a bronchodilator, Combivent Respimat comes in an inhaler and can help open constricted airways. It can sometimes be expensive, and although there are no over-the-counter or generic versions, there are still some potentially cheaper alternatives. Plus, we’ve got tips on how to save, even if you don’t have insurance. 

What is the generic for Combivent Respimat?

Generic drugs are often more affordable than their brand-name references, but unfortunately, there are no current generics for Combivent Respimat. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a generic mixture of ipratropium and albuterol—Combivent Respimat’s active ingredients—for use by COPD patients. 

They may be prescribed as two separate inhalers or as part of a nebulizer treatment. Nebulizers are machines that turn liquid medications into a mist that you inhale through a mask. They’re effective, but they’re larger than inhalers, take 5–20 minutes to administer the medicine, and require a power source, so they’re less convenient to use on the go. 

How much does Combivent Respimat cost without insurance?

For people who don’t have insurance or Medicare—or whose plans don’t cover Combivent Respimat—the average retail price is $636 for a 4 gm of 20–100 mcg/act inhaler with 120 inhalations. The typical dosage is four inhalations per day, so that’s around a month’s worth of medication. At that price, it’s around $21 per day and $7,932 per year. In comparison, the generic ipratropium-albuterol combo costs an average of $152 out of pocket and as low as $9 with SingleCare coupons.

That’s not an across-the-board price, though. It can vary based on the specific pharmacy you use, your dosage, and even where you live. 

Is Combivent Respimat covered by insurance?

Many times, yes. According to the drug’s manufacturer, Boehringer Ingelheim, 95% of Combivent Respimat prescriptions were covered by commercial insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid in 2023. However, your out-of-pocket costs depend completely on your specific insurance plan. Some may cover it in full, while others may only cover part of the price. Check your plan’s formulary for information on copays, coinsurance, and deductibles to get a better sense of what you might pay after insurance. 

Coverage may depend on how your plan classifies Combivent Respimat as well. “Insurance companies have a tier system on medications,” says David Nazarian, MD, founder of My Concierge MD. “The higher the [tier], the more out of pocket you typically have to pay.” Drug tiers vary between plans, so check your formulary to see where Combivent Respimat falls.

If your coverage isn’t sufficient, you can speak with a healthcare provider about alternative drugs that might come at a lower cost. Only the generic nebulizer solution, or a combination of an albuterol inhaler and an ipratropium inhaler, contains the same ingredients as Combivent Respimat. The other inhalers listed below contain different forms of medication that may be used to treat COPD.

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 (unless otherwise specified). 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 Combivent Respimat without insurance

If you don’t have health insurance that covers Combivent Respimat, there are several ways to make it more affordable.

1. Use free Combivent Respimat coupons

SingleCare offers coupons you can use at more than 35,000 pharmacies across the country. It’s free to sign up for a prescription discount card, and when you present it at a participating pharmacy, you can use its available coupon for Combivent Respimat. Prices and coupon amounts vary by pharmacy and location, but you may be able to pay $481 instead of $636 at some pharmacies. You can use SingleCare coupons even if you have insurance or Medicare coverage, but you can’t combine SingleCare savings with insurance.

2. Apply for a Combivent Respimat savings card

Boehringer Ingelheim, the pharmaceutical company that makes Combivent Respimat, offers a savings card that lets patients pay as little as $35 for a 30-day supply. You can get it regardless of whether you have commercial insurance as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. Eligible applicants must:

• Have a prescription for Combivent Respimat
• Be a resident of the United States or its territories 
• Not be enrolled in any government healthcare program—including Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, the Retiree Drug Subsidy Program, VA, DOD, TRICARE, or any state pharmaceutical assistance program
• Be 18 years or older 

3. Look for other patient assistance programs

There are programs available to help uninsured individuals and people with lower income levels pay for their medications. One of the most prominent is Medicaid, a state-run government program that helps pay for treatments and prescriptions. Some states have additional prescription drug programs, and some third-party organizations, like the Patient Advocate Foundation, can help as well.

4. Ask your healthcare provider about alternatives

Even though Combivent Respimat doesn’t have an FDA-approved generic, its active ingredients—albuterol sulfate and ipratropium bromide—are available separately as generics. Plus, “there are other medications that are used for COPD that can be effective, such as inhaled steroids or a corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator (Symbicort), but these can also be pricey,” Dr. Nazarian says. 

But be sure to consult a healthcare professional about your specific condition, symptoms, and medical history so they can offer medical advice on the best alternative for you.

5. Shop around

The U.S. Public Interest Research Groups published a study that found people can save up to $5,400 per year by comparing drug prices at different pharmacies and choosing the most cost-effective options. 

6. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist

Medical professionals know the industry well, and they often know various ways to save on prescription drugs. Ask them when you go in for an appointment or to drop off your prescription.