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Key takeaways
Telmisartan, a medication used for reducing high blood pressure, can be expensive without insurance, averaging $170 for a 30-day supply.
Insurance coverage for telmisartan varies, with some plans covering it while others may offer alternatives like losartan or candesartan, but programs like TriCare and the VA generally cover it.
Cost-saving strategies include using a SingleCare discount card, comparing prices, purchasing a 90-day supply, considering generic alternatives, or seeking financial assistance through Medicaid or Medicare.
Alternatives to telmisartan for treating high blood pressure include ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and other classes of medication, which may be more affordable and equally effective.
Is telmisartan covered by insurance | How much does telmisartan cost without insurance? | How to get telmisartan without insurance
The generic drug telmisartan, also sold as brand-name Micardis, reduces blood pressure in people diagnosed with hypertension. Controlling high blood pressure reduces the risk of a whole host of problems: heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, and others, but the greatest benefit is heart health. Dosing is generally straightforward; tablets are taken once per day in doses ranging from 20 mg to 80 mg. Like other blood pressure drugs, telmisartan can only be obtained with a prescription. It may be expensive without health insurance coverage – here are a few cost-saving strategies to implement.
Is telmisartan covered by insurance?
Some commercial health insurance plans, Medicare Part D drug plans, and Medicaid cover telmisartan, but some do not. Those that don’t will cover drugs similar to telmisartan such as losartan or candesartan. Telmisartan is covered by TriCare and the VA.
How much does telmisartan cost without insurance?
The average retail price for a 30-day supply of telmisartan is $170. In general, the tablet strength doesn’t influence the price much, so $170 is about right no matter what the prescription.
$170 per month may be expensive. In a year, it will add up to almost $2,000. People with health insurance, of course, will not have to pay a significant fraction of that cost, but it’s difficult to nail down the exact out-of-pocket costs for insured patients. It’s a good guess to expect the out-of-pocket cost to be reasonable with insurance coverage. Insurance formularies generally classify telmisartan as a preferred or Tier 1 drug, so the copay cost will be low after all deductibles, coinsurance, and any coverage gaps have been resolved.
One way to reduce the cost is to ask the prescribing healthcare provider about alternative and less expensive FDA-approved treatments. Telmisartan belongs to a class of drugs called angiotensin II receptor blockers, or ARBs. All are used to treat high blood pressure and some are FDA-approved to help people with heart failure. ARBs work by blocking a hormone, angiotensin, that causes blood vessels to contract and narrow. As a result, blood vessels widen and blood pressure goes down. Among the generic ARBs, telmisartan is one of the priciest. The prescriber may have good medical reasons to prescribe telmisartan: effectiveness, side effects, or allergic reactions. However the cost is a factor in successful treatment, so it’s a good idea to ask about more affordable alternatives.
Healthcare professionals have a wide array of blood pressure drugs. Many can be less expensive than ARBs: ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril, thiazide diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and alpha blockers. People prescribed telmisartan may recognize these drugs, particularly the first three. That’s because they’re often used and have failed before a drug like telmisartan is prescribed. In addition, some of these drugs may be prescribed along with telmisartan. Again, listen to the medical advice of a healthcare professional. ARBs like telmisartan are usually prescribed because they’re the best drug for the situation.
Although some over-the-counter medications or dietary supplements may help reduce blood pressure, they are not effective substitutes for prescription medications like telmisartan.
Compare telmisartan prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug Name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Micardis (telmisartan) | $251 per 30, 80 mg tablets | $17 per 30, 40 mg tablets of generic telmisartan | See updated prices |
| Cozaar (losartan potassium) | $131 per 30, 50 mg tablets | $3 per 30, 50 mg tablets of generic losartan | See updated prices |
| Avapro (irbesartan) | $314 per 30, 300 mg tablets | $9 per 30, 300 mg tablets of generic irbesartan | See updated prices |
| Atacand (candesartan) | $354 per 30, 32 mg tablets | $15 per 30, 16 mg tablets of generic candesartan | See updated prices |
| Diovan (valsartan) | $317 per 30, 160 mg tablets | $11 per 30, 160 mg tablets of generic valsartan | 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 telmisartan without insurance
Telmisartan may be expensive, but there are strategies to get it at an affordable price. Getting affordable generic drugs without insurance involves a simple strategy: first, always carry a SingleCare savings card to take advantage of dependable and substantial prescription discounts. Then shop for the lowest price. If the drug is still too expensive, get medical advice about less expensive drugs, and, if one’s income is tight, look for financial assistance.
1. Always rely on a SingleCare discount card
Generic drugs like telmisartan can be purchased at a discounted price by taking a SingleCare savings card to a participating pharmacy. For instance, a 30-day supply of generic telmisartan, normally $170, can cost as little as $17 with a SingleCare telmisartan coupon.
2. Buy at the lowest price by comparing prices
Currently, the lowest price for telmisartan at a local pharmacy is $98, a savings of over $70 off the average cash price. If you remember to carry a SingleCare discount coupon, the lowest pharmacy price is $17.
3. Buy at the lowest price by comparing prices for a 90-day prescription
Another way to save on generic drugs is to purchase a 90-day supply rather than enough to cover a month. At some pharmacies, the price per tablet is lower when filling a 90-day prescription. The savings are even better with SingleCare. Currently, the lowest SingleCare price for 90 telmisartan tablets is $34, or $11 per month.
4. Buy at the lowest price online
Online mail-order pharmacies typically have the best generic prescription discounts. Some online pharmacies also honor SingleCare coupons.
5. Switch to another ARB
Telmisartan is expensive, but other drugs similar to telmisartan may work just as well. The lowest-priced ARB, losartan, costs $54 for a month’s supply and only $4 a month with a SingleCare free coupon.
6. Get financial assistance from Medicaid
If income is a struggle, financial assistance may be the best solution. Telmisartan will be free or cost only a few dollars for Medicaid patients. Visit your state’s Medicaid website for eligibility requirements, enrollment advice, and additional information.
7. Get financial assistance from Medicare
Eligible patients on Medicare may qualify for Medicare Low Income Subsidy, also called Medicare Extra Help. As for Medicaid patients, telmisartan may be free or cost only a few dollars. The eligibility criteria for Medicare Extra Help are similar to Medicaid.