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Key takeaways
Letrozole is a generic drug used to treat hormone-sensitive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. It can be costly without insurance – over $2,500 per month.
Most commercial health insurances, including Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage Drug Plans, and Medicaid, typically cover letrozole, but out-of-pocket costs vary depending on the insurance plan’s details.
Alternatives to letrozole include other aromatase inhibitors like Arimidex or Aromasin, as well as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs), though medical advice should be sought before switching.
To reduce the cost of letrozole without insurance, options include using prescription discount cards like SingleCare, shopping for the best price, exploring health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare Extra Help, hospital discount programs, and seeking financial assistance from charities and foundations.
Is letrozole covered by insurance? | How much does letrozole cost without insurance? | How to get letrozole without insurance
Letrozole is a generic prescription drug indicated to treat hormone-sensitive breast cancer (HER+ breast cancer) in postmenopausal women. For women in the early stages of breast cancer, letrozole is used as an add-on treatment to suppress the body’s production of estrogen, a sex hormone that stimulates the growth of HER+ breast tumors. Women with advanced breast cancer are often prescribed letrozole as a first-line treatment. Letrozole is taken as a single 2.5 mg oral tablet once per day. Side effects could include hot flashes, joint pain, osteoporosis, and high cholesterol. Though generic, letrozole can have a high retail price compared to other generics. The brand-name versions, Femara (letrozole) or co-formulated product Kisqali Femara (ribociclib-letrozole), can cost even more. Read on for more cost information, less expensive alternatives, and ways to buy letrozole without insurance.
Is letrozole covered by insurance?
Commercial health insurance, Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage Drug Plans, and Medicaid typically cover letrozole for FDA-approved conditions. How much the insurance company will cover, however, is hard to pin down. The out-of-pocket cost is affected by the insurance plan’s formulary, copay cost, deductible, and, for Medicare Part D drug plans, the current coverage phase. Insurance plans typically place letrozole either in their Tier 2 drug list or Tier 1. The lower the tier, the lower the copay cost once all other factors have been accounted for. Expect to pay more out-of-pocket for brand-name Femara.
How much does letrozole cost without insurance?
With an average retail price of $843 for 10, 2.5 mg tablets letrozole can be cost-prohibitive for many people, especially since letrozole is intended for long-term treatment (around five years).
Called aromatase inhibitors, only two other drugs work like letrozole: Arimidex (anastrozole) and Aromasin (exemestane). They suppress the enzyme that produces estrogens, the female sex hormones that stimulate the growth of hormone receptor-positive cancers. If letrozole is too expensive, other estrogen-blocking cancer therapies include selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), such as tamoxifen, and selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs), such as Faslodex (fulvestrant). However, make sure to get medical advice before switching. In general, healthcare professionals regard aromatase inhibitors as the best way to block estrogen production in women after menopause.
Even though they may be cheaper and have fewer side effects, it’s not recommended to rely on over-the-counter medications, natural remedies, or dietary supplements to treat breast cancer. None have been proven to halt or reduce the growth of breast cancer.
Compare letrozole prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Femara | $843 per 10, 2.5 mg tablets (10 days) | $4 per 10, 2.5 mg tablets of generic Femara | See updated prices |
| Arimidex (anastrozole) | $1,888 per 30, 1 mg tablets | $8 per 30, 1 mg tablets of generic Arimidex | See updated prices |
| Aromasin (exemestane) | $1,425 per 30, 25 mg tablets | $35 per 30, 25 mg tablets of generic Aromasin | 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 letrozole without insurance
For many postmenopausal women, letrozole is the best option for treating estrogen-sensitive breast cancer. However, it can be expensive without insurance coverage, particularly when you consider all the other costs involved. Some people may be able to qualify for a manufacturer’s patient assistance program, but options can be limited for generic drugs. Since letrozole is a life-saving treatment, it’s important to try every strategy possible to make it affordable. Here are eight tips for reducing the cost of cancer drug treatment:
1. Get a prescription discount with a SingleCare savings card
Letrozole can cost as little as $12 a month with a free letrozole coupon from SingleCare, versus the average monthly cash price of $321. SingleCare discount cards can be used at participating pharmacies, but discounts will vary by pharmacy.
2. Shop for the best price
Prices vary from pharmacy to pharmacy. Search the Single Care pharmacy finder for the best letrozole prices in your area.
3. Get health insurance
Breast cancer treatment is lengthy and expensive. When all treatment costs for the full duration of treatment are considered, health insurance is usually the most affordable option. Visit your state’s health insurance marketplace to explore the options.
4. Enroll in Medicaid
If you qualify, Medicaid can substantially reduce both health insurance premiums and breast cancer costs. Every state has different eligibility criteria, so visit your state’s Medicaid site for additional information and enrollment forms.
5. Get Medicare Extra Help
For people on Medicare, Extra Help is a Medicare program that can help make necessary prescription medications affordable. Also called the Medicare Low Income Subsidy (LIS), Extra Help has income eligibility requirements that are usually identical to Medicaid income requirements. Call your state’s Medicaid office for more information.
6. Ask the hospital or cancer center if they have a discount program
The hospital or cancer center where you’re receiving treatment may have a discount program. If they don’t, they may be able to direct you to one that does. Called 340B providers, some hospitals, cancer centers, or clinics get federal subsidies to buy drugs cheaply and then sell them at a discount to people who meet income requirements.
7. Find financial assistance
Part of the difficulty with paying for cancer treatment is meeting all the other expenses. These not only include medical and drug expenses, but rent, travel, and food. There are government programs, charities, and foundations, such as the Susan G. Komen foundation, that can provide financial assistance for these other programs, freeing up money to pay for treatment. Some will provide drug assistance, too. Contact local health officials or your state department of health.