How Patients Can Save on 6 Types of Derm Medications Insurance May Not Cover

It’s no surprise to dermatology prescribers that many medications are unlikely to be covered by prescription insurance plans since they’re often considered cosmetic.

If a patient’s insurance doesn’t cover a dermatology medication, or it requires a high-cost copay, there are ways to help lower the cost. Below, we’ll cover common self-pay dermatology medications and ways to save on these prescriptions.

1. Topical retinoids

A few topical retinoids are FDA approved for improving skin appearance and acne, but others are prescribed off-label. Insurance plans are less likely to cover off-label prescriptions and those with cosmetic, rather than medical, applications. So it’s common for patients to self-pay for topical retinoids.

This chart shows common prescription retinoids that may not be covered by insurance, their average cash price, and how patients can save on their cost. Note that in some cases, brand-name Retin-A may be more affordable than the generic version.

2. Hair-loss medications

Medications that treat hair loss are often considered cosmetic, and thus are often self-pay.

The chart below shows common prescription medications for hair loss that may not be covered by insurance, their average cash price, and how to save on their cost.

3. Medications for eyelash growth and blepharoptosis

Two unique cosmetic medications are Latisse (bimatoprost) for eyelash hypotrichosis and Upneeq (oxymetazoline) for acquired blepharoptosis. These are often self-pay dermatology medications, since their use is cosmetic. But there are still ways to reduce the cost of these treatments, as shown in this chart.

4. Rosacea treatments

Many prescription treatments for rosacea are covered by insurance. This is especially true for older medications with lower-cost generics, such as metronidazole gel (Metrogel) and azelaic acid (Finacea).

But newer rosacea medications are less likely to have insurance coverage or may have a higher copay than expected. Thankfully, many of these products have savings programs or other ways to reduce your cost. See the chart below for average cash prices of common self-pay rosacea medications and other ways to save.

5. Medications for hyperpigmentation and melasma

Several topical prescription medications can help with skin discoloration. But, again, these treatments are often considered cosmetic.

This chart shows common prescription medications for skin discoloration that may not be covered by insurance, their average cash price, and how patients can save.

6. Topical nail antifungals

Topical liquid medications can help treat toenail fungus, but they aren’t as effective as oral options. Here are some options (often not covered by insurance) with average cash price and other ways to save.

Other ways to save

For those still having trouble accessing dermatology medications at an affordable price, here are some other things to try:

• Consider GoodRx Companion: Over 250 medications are available for free and hundreds more for under $10 per month with a GoodRx Companion subscription. This program also includes benefits to help users cut other self-pay costs, such as lower prices for telehealth and discounts on dental care.

• Compare pharmacy prices: Out-of-pocket prices can differ between pharmacies, even within the same area. GoodRx can help patients compare prices and transfer their prescription to a more affordable location if needed.

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Written by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

Edited by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She is co-executive director at Nonclinical Physicians Network and has served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

Reviewed by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

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