Methylprednisolone is a generic prescription drug used to reduce inflammation associated with many conditions. It’s available as the brand-name drugs Medrol and others. The cost of methylprednisolone with and without insurance can depend on several factors.
As with all medications, the cost of methylprednisolone can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, the form of the drug your doctor prescribes, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.
Methylprednisolone comes in three forms:
- oral tablet
- injectable solution
- injectable suspension (a type of liquid mixture)
The cost of methylprednisolone injections will also depend on the cost of the visit to your healthcare professional to receive your doses. In some cases, you or a caregiver may be able to give the injections at home after your doctor shows you how. If so, you may need to purchase needles and syringes to use these forms of methylprednisolone.
To find out what the cost of methylprednisolone will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or look below in the next section to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.
To save money on your methylprednisolone prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.
Methylprednisolone is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
Methylprednisolone is available as the following brand-name versions and generics:
| Form | Generic available | Brand available | Brand name |
|---|---|---|---|
| oral tablet | ✓ | ✓ | Medrol |
| injectable solution | ✓ | ✓ | Solu-Medrol |
| injectable suspension | ✓ | ✓ | Depo-Medrol |
If your doctor has prescribed methylprednisolone and you’re interested in using a brand-name drug instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.
To find out how the cost of these brand-name drugs compare with the cost of methylprednisolone, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If you take methylprednisolone long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.
Getting a 3-month supply
You may be able to get a 90-day supply of methylprednisolone. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Using a mail-order pharmacy
Methylprednisolone may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.
If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need financial support to pay for methylprednisolone, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:
These sites can provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and methylprednisolone.
What does the methylprednisolone dose pack cost with insurance?
If you have insurance, your cost depends on your particular plan benefits, including your drug copay amount. The 4 milligrams (mg) strength of generic methylprednisolone tablet is available as a dose pack of 21 tablets.
To find out how much the methylprednisolone dose pack will cost you with insurance, contact your insurance provider. The dose pack is also available as the brand-name drug Medrol, labeled “Medrol Dosepak.” The cost of Medrol Dosepak with or without insurance is likely higher than the generic version since generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
You can also visit Optum Perks for price estimates for the methylprednisolone dose pack when using coupons from the site. However, Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance benefits or copays. (Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.)
What does methylprednisolone cost without insurance?
The price you’ll pay for methylprednisolone if you don’t have insurance can vary based on several factors. But typically, the cost is higher without insurance.
There are other factors that could affect what you pay for this drug. These include:
- the quantity you’re prescribed
- your dosage
- the pharmacy you use
- the form of the drug you’re prescribed (such as the tablet or injection)
To learn the exact cost you’d pay for this medication without insurance, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You may want to contact several pharmacies to compare their prices for methylprednisolone.
You can also check out Optum Perks for methylprednisolone price estimates when using coupons from the site.
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive methylprednisolone.
Prior authorization: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers methylprednisolone. This means the company and your doctor will discuss methylprednisolone in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether methylprednisolone requires prior authorization.
Type of insurance coverage: Methylprednisolone injection is given by your doctor or another healthcare professional. If you have insurance, the price of your methylprednisolone doses may be billed through your medical coverage instead of the prescription drug portion of your insurance plan. This depends on your specific insurance plan and where you receive your methylprednisolone doses, such as at your doctor’s office, an infusion clinic, or a hospital. (Or, your doctor may teach you or a caregiver how to inject doses at home.) If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
