How much is Myrbetriq without insurance?

Is Myrbetriq covered by insurance | How much does Myrbetriq cost without insurance? | How to get Myrbetriq without insurance

Myrbetriq (mirabegron) is a brand-name prescription drug prescribed to treat overactive bladder (OAB) in adults and pediatric neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) in children, a type of bladder condition that is often caused by certain neurologic medical conditions. Taken as a 25 or 50 mg tablet once daily, Myrbetriq relaxes the smooth muscle around the bladder that squeezes out urine, the detrusor muscle, allowing the bladder to fill with more urine. The active ingredient in Myrbetriq, mirabegron, cannot be purchased as a generic, but there are similar, less expensive muscle relaxants that can be used to treat OAB instead.

RELATED: Myrbetriq side effects 

Is Myrbetriq covered by insurance?

Most health insurance plans, Medicare plans, and Medicaid cover a Myrbetriq prescription. Some may require less expensive treatments to be used first.

How much does Myrbetriq cost without insurance?

The retail price of Myrbetriq averages $544.03 for a 30-day supply of 30, 50 mg tablets. A year of Myrbetriq treatment, then, will cost almost $7,000. People with health insurance or Medicare will pay less, but copay costs will vary depending on the plan and its formulary.

There is no generic version of Myrbetriq currently on the market. Its active ingredient, mirabegron, is an adrenergic beta-3 agonist, a smooth muscle relaxant. Only one other similar drug is used for overactive bladder, the brand-name drug Gemtesa (vibegron). Gemtesa retails for about the same price as Myrbetriq but you can save with a SingleCare discount card.

Most people with overactive bladder or urinary incontinence are treated by smooth muscle relaxants called antimuscarinic (or anticholinergic) agents. These drugs, like mirabegron, relax the bladder muscles, allowing the bladder to fill with more urine before contracting. Many are either less expensive than Myrbetriq or available as inexpensive generics. One of these drugs, oxybutynin, is available over-the-counter under the brand-name Oxytrol for Women, a transdermal patch. Although antimuscarinics also relax bladder muscles, they work differently than Myrbetriq. Ask the prescribing healthcare provider if they are appropriate substitutes. Keep in mind that only two antimuscarinic prescription medications are FDA approved to treat pediatric neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO). 

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing.

How to get Myrbetriq without insurance

Prescription drugs are expensive, but brand-name drugs can be prohibitively difficult to afford. Myrbetriq is no exception. Without a cheaper generic available, uninsured patients may have to pay the full cash price unless they enroll in Astellas’ patient assistance program, get a Momentum savings card, or find a manufacturer coupon. Not everyone is eligible for patient assistance and a Momentum savings card requires commercial insurance, but there are more foolproof ways to save money.

1. Become a member of SingleCare

With a SingleCare discount card, members can save almost $200 on their monthly Myrbetriq prescription. Joining SingleCare is free, and enrollment takes less than a minute. Free coupons for Myrbetriq can be chosen by discount price or participating pharmacy, and then printed, emailed, or sent to a smartphone.

2. Ask the prescribing healthcare provider for free samples

Astellas, the manufacturer of Myrbetriq, gives healthcare providers free samples.  This could help you get started on the medication until you can figure out how to pay for the prescription over the long term.

3. Ask the prescriber about other less-expensive OAB treatments

Mirabegron, the active ingredient in Myrbetriq, relaxes the smooth muscles of the bladder. Only one other prescription drug works just like mirabegron, but it, too, is an expensive brand-name drug. However, OAB is traditionally treated with antimuscarinics. They, too, relax bladder muscles, but they are much less expensive. One of them, Oxytrol for Women, can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) for less than $30 a month. However, get medical advice from a healthcare professional before switching from any prescription drug, like Myrbetriq, to an OTC drug.

4. Shop for the best price

Prescription drug prices depend on where they’re bought. Myrbetriq prices can vary by as much as $100 between pharmacies, so it’s smart to compare prices before buying. Start with the retail price comparison table on the Myrbetriq coupon page. Sometimes, it’s surprising who offers the best price, but frequently the steepest prescription discounts are found at big-box retailers as well as at mail-order online pharmacies. 

5. Discover healthcare resources in the community

If you live in an urban area, contact your city or county health department. They can direct patients to community resources such as health clinics, healthcare programs, and even low-cost health insurance. They may not be able to provide low-cost or free Myrbetriq, but they may be able to provide other smooth muscle relaxants to relieve overactive bladder symptoms. 

6. Consider Medicaid

Many state Medicaid plans cover Myrbetriq with very low (or zero) copay costs. However, these programs have strict income requirements, so start by researching eligibility requirements for your state.

7. Contact Astellas Pharma Support Solutions

Astellas, the manufacturer of Myrbetriq, can help direct uninsured patients to resources that may help them afford their prescriptions. Additional information and a contact phone number can be found on the Myrbetriq website.

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