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In this article:

• Is Incruse Ellipta covered by insurance?
• How much does Incruse Ellipta cost without insurance?
• How to get Incruse Ellipta without insurance

In this article

• Is Incruse Ellipta covered by insurance?
• How much does Incruse Ellipta cost without insurance?
• How to get Incruse Ellipta without insurance

Incruse Ellipta is a prescription drug that is FDA approved as a long-term maintenance treatment for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a medical condition that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. By taking a single puff each day from an Incruse Ellipta inhaler, people with COPD should experience fewer and less severe breathing problems. Umeclidinium bromide, the active ingredient of Incruse Ellipta, is an anticholinergic. It blocks a chemical that causes muscles in the lungs to tighten and narrow the airway passages. There are no over-the-counter alternatives for COPD, but there are effective ways to save on an Incruse Ellipta prescription.

What is the generic for Incruse Ellipta?

Incruse Ellipta is only available as a brand-name medication. There is no lower-priced or generic alternative. The earliest a generic version may be available is 2025, but that’s not guaranteed. 

Is Incruse Ellipta covered by insurance?

Some health insurance plans or Medicare drug plans cover Incruse Ellipta, but coverage varies by plan. For those that do, the out-of-pocket cost will vary. Insurance plans tend to put Incruse Ellipta in their top drug tiers, so copay costs may be high. Some insurance companies may impose quantity limits, so refilling the prescription too early may require paying full price.

How much does Incruse Ellipta cost without insurance?

For people without coverage for Incruse Ellipta, a 30-day supply is about $413. That works out to a little over $13 per day. A year’s worth of Incruse Ellipta at full cost will be about $5,000. However, a SingleCare coupon could get it down to $323 per month, saving about $90. For those with an insurance plan that does not cover Incruse Ellipta, there may be alternative long-acting anticholinergics that are covered, such as Spiriva (tiotropium) or Tudorza Pressair (aclidinium). For those without insurance, ask the prescribing healthcare provider about other alternative long-acting bronchodilators similar to Incruse Ellipta. Also, ask about combination drugs. A common treatment for COPD is a combination of a drug like Incruse Ellipta and a long-acting bronchodilator. There may be combination inhalers that are significantly less expensive than buying two different inhalers at full price.

RELATED: Incruse Ellipta alternatives

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 the latest drug prices.

How to get Incruse Ellipta without insurance

Paying retail prices month after month for brand-name drugs can be challenging, especially when managing other prescriptions, treatments, and office visits typically associated with a chronic illness. There are no manufacturer coupons available at this time, but the manufacturer of Incruse Ellipta, GSK, has a patient assistance program, GSK for You, that may help, depending on eligibility. Not everyone will meet the eligibility requirements, and they may not always be offered. However, Incruse Ellipta is a life-saving medicine, so it’s good to know there are dependable ways to save on a prescription for it.

1. Save on prescription drugs with a SingleCare savings card

With a free discount card from SingleCare, the price of many prescription drugs can be 80% lower than the pharmacy’s cash price. SingleCare can reduce the price of a month-supply of Incruse Ellipta by about $90. 

2. Ask for a free sample

The prescribing healthcare provider may have free samples. It may not be much—enough blister packs to cover seven or even 30 days. It may also be a one-shot deal. However, it does save money and buys time to find other ways to save money on an Incruse Ellipta prescription. 

3. Shop for the lowest price

Prescription drug prices can vary widely between pharmacies. Incruse Ellipta is no exception, and some pharmacies may charge less per dose for a 90-day supply of Incruse Ellipta than they do for a 30-day supply.

4. Find a 340B provider

Many communities have clinics and hospitals that will provide medical care and sell prescription drugs at a steep discount to people who are uninsured. Called 340B providers, who can most easily be found by calling local health officials. They may not always have the medications that are prescribed, but they will probably have effective alternatives. 

5. Ask the prescriber about lower-priced alternatives

The prescriber may be able to give medical advice about similar inhalants that are nearly the same as Incruse Ellipta. They may be significantly discounted with a SingleCare prescription discount. There are also combination inhalers that include one or two other drugs commonly used to treat COPD. These combination inhalers may be cheaper than buying two or three drugs separately. 

6. Consider health insurance

COPD is a lifelong condition that requires a constant stream of prescription drugs, doctor visits, treatments, and tests. Over the long term, the most efficient cost-saving strategy may be to buy health insurance. Start with the state’s insurance marketplace, but make sure that Incruse Ellipta and other needed COPD drugs are included in the plan’s formulary. 

7. Enroll in Medicaid

If private health insurance isn’t feasible, Medicaid may be the right option. Each state has a Medicaid website that includes eligibility requirements, enrollment instructions, and additional information. With Medicaid, the out-of-pocket cost for Incruse Ellipta, other prescription drugs, and medical treatment for COPD will be low. Again, make sure Incruse Ellipta is covered.