How Much Is Albuterol Without Insurance?

Albuterol (Ventolin) is a short-acting beta agonist (SABA) medication that’s FDA-approved to treat breathing difficulties related to asthma and other breathing conditions. Known as a rescue inhaler, albuterol works quickly to relax and open the airways. 

While most people use the inhaler version, generic albuterol also comes as a liquid solution for nebulizers and in oral forms. The good news is that you have options beyond the brand-name versions, because more-affordable generic versions of albuterol are available.

How much do albuterol inhalers cost?

An 18 g generic albuterol inhaler costs $48.33 without insurance, on average, though prices can vary. Albuterol inhalers generally deliver 90 mcg of medication per inhalation. The medication comes in different canister variations, ranging from 6.7 g to 18 g, with most canisters containing 200 inhalations. 

The table below compares the average retail price of generic and brand-name albuterol inhalers:

Brand-name Proventil HFA and ProAir HFA have been discontinued, though you can still get the generic versions of the medications.

Generic albuterol is also available as an inhalation solution (used with a nebulizer), oral tablets, and an oral syrup, although the oral forms of the medication are rarely prescribed. Here's what different forms of the medication might cost you at some pharmacies:  

What factors affect the cost of albuterol?

Several factors can influence how much you'll pay for albuterol, including:

• Location: Where you live plays a role in your prescription costs. GoodRx research shows that some cities — including New York City and Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas — tend to have higher prescription prices. But certain other cities, including Atlanta and Houston, for example, often fall below the national average.

• Pharmacy: Not all pharmacies charge the same price for prescription medications. The cost can vary between pharmacies, even if they’re just a few blocks apart.

• Insurance: If you have insurance, your out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles, copays, or coinsurance, determine how much you pay for albuterol.

• Generic vs. brand-name: Choosing generic albuterol typically saves you money compared to brand-name versions such as Ventolin.

• Dose: Your albuterol dosage may depend on your symptoms and how well you respond to treatment. Treating more severe or persistent asthma symptoms might require more frequent doses, meaning you’ll likely need refills more often, which can increase your overall cost.

• Form: For nebulizers, the inhalation solution in a bottle might cost less than the vials, even at a similar dose.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Every second counts during an asthma attack. Understanding how to use a rescue inhaler correctly can make all the difference when you’re struggling to breathe.

• Albuterol can interact with certain medications. Here are the main albuterol interactions you need to know, and how to manage them.

• Albuterol isn't the only rescue inhaler available — levalbuterol is another option. Pharmacists break down what makes these two medications different.

Does insurance cover albuterol inhalers?

Most insurance plans cover albuterol, particularly the generic version. However, your exact coverage and costs will depend on your insurance plan. You can check your plan's formulary (list of covered medications) to see if albuterol is included.

Medicare Part D plans typically cover albuterol inhalers. While brand-name versions might not be covered, generic options usually are. If you use an albuterol inhalation solution through a nebulizer, both the machine and the medication would be covered under Medicare Part B as durable medical equipment (DME). 

Medicare Advantage plans generally cover albuterol, though coverage varies by plan. Medicaid benefits differ by state, but generic albuterol is typically included in their formularies.

How different insurance plans cover albuterol inhalers

Here's how different insurance plans typically cover generic albuterol and brand-name inhalers, including the need for prior authorization and step therapy:

Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of September 26, 2024. (See methodology below.)

If your insurance won't cover albuterol, you have several options. 

• Talk to your prescriber about alternative medications or alternative forms of albuterol that may be covered.

• Request a formulary exception to have albuterol added to your plan’s formulary.

• Appeal a denial if your insurer rejects your request for coverage.

• Consider switching plans during open enrollment to find one with better coverage for you.

Ways to save on albuterol

Whether you have insurance or not, here are six ways to save on albuterol:

1. Use a GoodRx coupon 

GoodRx offers free coupons that can help you significantly lower the cost of albuterol. These coupons provide savings at many pharmacies, and you can also use GoodRx to compare prices across different locations.

Here’s what you can expect to pay for different doses of generic and brand-name albuterol when using a GoodRx coupon.

To access a coupon, visit www.goodrx.com or download the GoodRx app. 

2. Ask for a 90-day prescription

Getting a 90-day supply of the medication could reduce your costs. Many insurance plans offer lower copays for 3-month supplies, and pharmacies may provide bulk discounts. Talk to your prescriber about switching to a 90-day prescription.

3. Consider a mail-order pharmacy

Skip the pharmacy visits and potentially save money by switching to a mail-order pharmacy. Many insurance plans offer reduced copays or other incentives for using their mail-order service. 

4. Take advantage of manufacturer programs 

If you use Ventolin HFA, a brand-name albuterol inhaler, there's help coming. Starting no later than January 2025, manufacturer GSK will cap the monthly out-of-pocket cost at $35 for certain medications, including Ventolin HFA. 

However, if you have government insurance, such as Medicare or Medicaid, you won't be eligible for this savings program due to federal regulations.

5. Make use of your tax-advantaged accounts

Put your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) funds to work when buying albuterol. These tax-advantaged accounts can help reduce your overall healthcare costs. Either pay with your HSA or FSA card at the pharmacy or submit receipts for reimbursement. Unlike HSA funds, FSA funds expire, so be sure to use them before the deadline.

6. Check patient assistance programs

The HealthWell Foundation offers assistance for albuterol costs through its Cystic Fibrosis and Asthma programs. Although both programs are currently closed to new applicants, check the foundation’s website from time to time for program updates.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Maggie Aime, MSN, RN

Maggie's writing brings health topics to life for readers at any stage of life. With over 25 years in healthcare and a passion for education, she creates content that informs, inspires, and empowers.

Edited by:

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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Methodology

We obtained national prescription coverage data for each medication from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT). The data reflect health insurance coverage as of September 2024. 

We calculated the percentage of enrollees in plans that cover each medication by dividing the number of enrollees covered for the medication within a specific insurance channel (e.g., ACA, Medicare, Medicaid) by the total number of enrollees in all plans within that channel. 

We determined the percentage of enrollees in plans with a prior authorization requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that required prior authorization for the medication within each channel. 

Finally, we measured the percentage of enrollees in plans with a step therapy requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that imposed step therapy requirements for the medication in each channel. 

These estimates, derived from national MMIT coverage data, provide insight into health insurance coverage for each medication. They take into account restrictions such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits. The percentages are expressed relative to the total number of enrollees covered by various insurance channels, including the ACA, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).