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Key takeaways
Synthroid is a medication used to treat hypothyroidism and slow thyroid cancer growth, with the cost averaging $63.65 for a 30-day supply without insurance.
Many health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover Synthroid but often prefer the cheaper generic version, levothyroxine sodium.
Using manufacturer coupons, discount cards like SingleCare, asking for generic versions, and shopping prices among pharmacies can help reduce Synthroid prescription costs.
Additional cost-saving strategies include getting a 90-day prescription, asking healthcare providers for free samples, using discount pharmacies, visiting community health clinics, and checking eligibility for Medicaid.
Is Synthroid covered by insurance? | How much does Synthroid cost without insurance? | How to get Synthroid without insurance?
Synthroid (levothyroxine sodium) is a brand-name thyroid medication prescribed to treat hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland isn’t producing enough thyroid hormone, and it can develop due to different causes, such as autoimmune diseases, surgical removal of the thyroid gland, or radiation treatment. In addition to hypothyroidism, Synthroid is FDA approved to slow the growth of thyroid cancer when combined with surgery and radioiodine therapy.
Levothyroxine, the active ingredient in Synthroid, is a synthetic version of the natural thyroid hormone called thyroxine (T4). In the body, T4 is converted into triiodothyronine (T3), the more active form of the thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormones govern some of the most fundamental processes in the body, including digestion, metabolism, and bone maintenance.
Most people taking Synthroid as a hormone replacement can expect to take 50 to 200 micrograms (mcg) daily, but exact dosages are individualized based on the treated medical condition. Synthroid is available as a generic drug, levothyroxine sodium.
RELATED: Synthroid side effects
Is Synthroid covered by insurance?
Synthroid is covered by many health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Synthroid is a brand-name medication that is typically covered as a higher-tier drug. Most plans, however, prefer to cover levothyroxine sodium, the generic version of Synthroid.
How much does Synthroid cost without insurance?
Synthroid prices average $63.65 for a 30-day supply of 50 mcg tablets, or a little over $2 per tablet. For people on long-term thyroid hormone replacement, that works out to about $760 a year. Health insurance can help cover much of this cost, but copays will vary based on your insurance plan and its formulary. Synthroid copay costs for Medicare patients range from $6 to $44 per month.
Switching to generic Synthroid can significantly reduce costs. In some cases, your healthcare provider can prescribe another alternative to Synthroid that may be cheaper. Other brand-name levothyroxine products include Levoxyl, Tirosint, Unithroid, and Euthyroid. The prices can vary for these medications, but Euthyroid is generally less expensive than Synthroid.
Discount coupons can also help reduce the retail cost of Synthroid and its alternatives.
Compare the price of Synthroid to other drugs |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug Name | Uses | Price without insurance | SingleCare price | Learn more |
| Synthroid (levothyroxine sodium) | Hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer | $63.65 30, 50 mcg tablets |
$1.00 30, 50 mcg tablets |
What is Synthroid? |
| What is levothyroxine sodium? | ||||
| Euthyrox (levothyroxine sodium) | Hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer | $15.44 30, 50 mcg tablets |
$1.00 30, 50 mcg tablets |
What is Euthyrox? |
| Levoxyl (levothyroxine sodium) | Hypothyroidism, thyroid cancer | $44.00 30, 50 mcg tablets |
$1.00 30, 50 mcg tablets |
What is Levoxyl? |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing.
How to get Synthroid without insurance?
Synthroid can be an expensive brand-name medication, especially for people without health insurance coverage. Costs for brand-name Synthroid can add up if it’s taken over the long-term. Manufacturer coupons, manufacturer patient assistance programs, or manufacturer savings cards may help, although they usually have eligibility requirements. For those who don’t qualify for direct savings from the manufacturer, there are other ways to save, including a SingleCare discount card.
1. Join SingleCare
A Synthroid discount coupon from SingleCare may lower the monthly cost of Synthroid. Enrollment for a SingleCare membership is free and takes less than a minute. Once enrolled in SingleCare, you can visit the Synthroid discount coupon page to choose a free coupon based on the lowest price of your medication at your favorite local pharmacy. The coupon can be printed, emailed, or sent to a smartphone where it can be used immediately to fill a prescription.
2. Ask the prescriber about generic Synthroid
The cash price of generic levothyroxine is usually cheaper than the cash price of brand-name Synthroid. There may be reasons why a healthcare professional prescribes brand-name Synthroid or a particular levothyroxine product, so ask your prescriber for medical advice about the most appropriate substitute for Synthroid.
3. Get a 90-day prescription
You may be able to fill a 90-day prescription of Synthroid with AbbVie’s Synthroid Delivers program. Through this program, you could pay just $25 per month. Each 90-day supply will be shipped for home delivery. Visit the Synthroid website for additional information.
4. Ask for a free sample
The prescribing healthcare provider may have free samples of Synthroid that may help you save money, especially if you’re just starting treatment.
5. Compare prices
Most people don’t know that prescription medications cost more at some pharmacies than others. A careful consumer can save as much as $20 on a Synthroid prescription by doing a little price-shopping.
6. Use a discount pharmacy
If price-shopping is too much work, some pharmacies routinely offer the best discount prices on prescription medications. These include pharmacies associated with big discount retailers, discount pharmacies, and online mail-order pharmacies. Not all online pharmacies are safe to deal with, so make sure the online pharmacy is reputable if you choose to go that route.
7. Visit a community health clinic
Consider visiting a community health clinic if you’re having trouble paying for generic or brand-name Synthroid. Some clinics can provide low-cost or free medical care, including prescription drugs, to eligible patients. If you’re uncertain, contact your city or county’s health department. They can direct you to community health clinics, medical programs, and even low-cost health insurance resources.
8. Sign up for Medicaid
Low-income patients will probably be able to get generic levothyroxine for free through Medicaid. Find out if you qualify by visiting your state’s Medicaid website.