1. < Sleep Health

Ambien cost

Posted by royanthony @royanthony, Mar 5 4:59pm

I've seen a lot of comments from those who use Ambien. My insurance company is fighting to not provide it for me, even with me co-paying. Costs with no co-pay I've been finding is about $3,000 for 90 day supply. Please make a recommendation on how I might find/search for a lower cost. Thank you

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Sleep Health Support Group.

Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Mar 6 8:09am

@royanthony
Few suggestions when dealing with cost of medications,
1. Check with provider if OK to take the generic version. Zolpidem or zolpidem tartrate is the generic name of Ambien.
2. Check the discount coupon sites, such as GoodRx. I do not take Ambien, but I have other medications my insurance plan does not cover and able to get a discount using GoodRx coupon at my pharmacy.

If neither of those options work, talk to your provider about alternative options to help with sleep.

REPLY
2 replies
scottbeammeup | @scottbeammeup | Mar 6 8:26am

The GoodRX price for a 90 day supply of Zolpidem (generic Ambien) is $33.36. According to GoodRX, if you go to CVS they will charge $29.11, Rite Aid $17.25 and Shop Rite (a supermarket chain in the Northeast) $4.22.

REPLY
dustycat52 | @dustycat52 | Mar 6 12:31pm

Does your insurance company let your doctor give a reason that you need it? Mine does and my doctor approves it,

REPLY
royanthony | @royanthony | Mar 6 1:50pm

Yes, they do with my seizure meds, e.g. Keppra & Lamictal. It is always a fight, though. My neurologist handles this matter and has always been successful. The Ambien request is coming from my G.P. I've been taking Zolpidem (generic of Ambien) many years and it's no longer effective. I welcome any more suggestions. Thank you.

REPLY
1 reply
ScarletB | @scarletb | Mar 6 2:57pm
In reply to @royanthony "Yes, they do with my seizure meds, e.g. Keppra & Lamictal. It is always a fight,..." + (show)
@royanthony

Yes, they do with my seizure meds, e.g. Keppra & Lamictal. It is always a fight, though. My neurologist handles this matter and has always been successful. The Ambien request is coming from my G.P. I've been taking Zolpidem (generic of Ambien) many years and it's no longer effective. I welcome any more suggestions. Thank you.

Jump to this post

Might generic zolpidem manufactured by a different company be effective? I'm thinking out loud and hope someone else might know.

REPLY
1 reply
royanthony | @royanthony | Mar 10 8:29pm
In reply to @scarletb "Might generic zolpidem manufactured by a different company be effective? I'm thinking out loud and hope..." + (show)
@scarletb

Might generic zolpidem manufactured by a different company be effective? I'm thinking out loud and hope someone else might know.

Jump to this post

Educate me, please. How does one know what fillers are used in Zolpidem from one company to another? You're right. Different companies use different fillers. I got approved by my insurance company today for Ambien. I haven't picked up the med yet, so I'm getting ready for the shock. Do you know about Pharmacy Benefit Managers?

REPLY
royanthony | @royanthony | Mar 10 8:33pm
In reply to @roch "@royanthony Few suggestions when dealing with cost of medications, 1. Check with provider if OK to..." + (show)
@roch

@royanthony
Few suggestions when dealing with cost of medications,
1. Check with provider if OK to take the generic version. Zolpidem or zolpidem tartrate is the generic name of Ambien.
2. Check the discount coupon sites, such as GoodRx. I do not take Ambien, but I have other medications my insurance plan does not cover and able to get a discount using GoodRx coupon at my pharmacy.

If neither of those options work, talk to your provider about alternative options to help with sleep.

Jump to this post

Thanks for your suggestion.

REPLY
royanthony | @royanthony | 5 days ago
In reply to @roch "@royanthony Few suggestions when dealing with cost of medications, 1. Check with provider if OK to..." + (show)
@roch

@royanthony
Few suggestions when dealing with cost of medications,
1. Check with provider if OK to take the generic version. Zolpidem or zolpidem tartrate is the generic name of Ambien.
2. Check the discount coupon sites, such as GoodRx. I do not take Ambien, but I have other medications my insurance plan does not cover and able to get a discount using GoodRx coupon at my pharmacy.

If neither of those options work, talk to your provider about alternative options to help with sleep.

Jump to this post

I appreciate the suggestions. Just learned that my co-pay cost for Brand name Ambien would be $ 120+/- for 30 tablets, compared to $11.18 for my 30 tablets of Zolpidem. My purchase decision was easy.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.