How Much Is Latisse Without Insurance?
Key takeaways:
Latisse (bimatoprost) is a prescription-only medication used to increase eyelash growth.
Latisse is applied daily to the base of the upper lash line using a disposable applicator. People typically need to apply it for at least 16 weeks (about 4 months) to see full results.
Without insurance, a 5 mL bottle of brand-name Latisse costs an average of $218.97. You may be able to pay less if you choose generic bimatoprost or use a GoodRx coupon.
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Table of contents
Latisse (bimatoprost) is a prescription-only eye solution used to increase eyelash growth. When used consistently, this solution can help people increase the length, thickness, and darkness of their lashes. It’s also FDA approved to help people who have hypotrichosis, or little-to-no hair on certain parts of the body — like the head, eyebrow region, or lash lines — thicken and grow their upper eyelashes.
The active ingredient in Latisse is the same one used in the glaucoma medication Lumigan, which lowers eye pressure. Latisse is applied daily to the base of the upper lash line using a disposable applicator. You’ll likely need to apply the solution for at least 16 weeks (about 4 months) to see full results.
The results last as long as you use Latisse. If you stop, your lashes will slowly start to appear and grow as they normally would.
How does Latisse (bimatoprost) work? Latisse is a prescription-only eye solution that can help people grow and thicken sparse eyelashes.
Latisse side effects: This lash-growth solution can cause side effects, including dry eyes, darkened eyelid skin, and irritation.
What to expect with Latisse: Three people share their experiences using Latisse, including what changes they’ve seen in their lashes.
Latisse basics
The chart below provides a summary of basic information about Latisse.
Latisse Basics
| Generic name | Bimatoprost |
| FDA-approved uses | Hypotrichosis of the eyelashes |
| Benefits | Lengthens, thickens, and darkens eyelashes Available in brand-name and generic versions Results depend on continued use, so you can stop application at any point and your lashes will gradually return to their normal appearance. |
| Possible side effects |
|
Is Latisse covered by insurance?
About 60% of commercial plans and more than 35% of Medicaid plans cover brand-name Latisse. Fewer than 20% of plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act (ACA, also known as Obamacare) marketplace cover Latisse. Medicare does not cover this medication.
If you have insurance, review your plan’s summary of benefits and coverage and formulary (list of covered medications) to determine whether Latisse or generic bimatoprost is covered. If not, contact your prescription medication plan provider and ask about your coverage options. You can also discuss alternatives with your prescriber or a pharmacist.
How insurance covers Latisse
The following charts show the likelihood of having coverage for brand-name Latisse, as well as prior authorization and step therapy requirements, with various types of insurance. Keep in mind that needing to have a prior authorization or do step therapy is particularly likely if you are covered by Medicaid.
Insurance Coverage for Latisse
Insurance type | Enrollees covered | Enrollees required to get a prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
Commercial (not including plans purchased through an ACA marketplace) | 58.3% | 11.1% | 4.8% |
19.1% | 12.5% | 0% | |
Medicare, including original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans | 0% | 0% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 37.1% | 35.4% | 5.4% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of January 6, 2025. (See methodology below.)
Tips if your medication isn’t covered by insurance
Here are a few options to consider if you have health insurance that doesn’t cover Latisse:
Ask your prescriber about a less costly medication that may meet your needs. Or discuss switching to the lower-cost generic, bimatoprost, if you were prescribed brand-name Latisse.
Request a formulary exception from your prescription medication plan provider. Keep in mind you may be required to do step therapy or get prior authorization to be covered.
If you request a formulary exception and are denied coverage, file an appeal with your plan.
Use a GoodRx coupon to save on your prescription.
During your next open enrollment period, weigh your options. You may be eligible for a plan with better prescription medication coverage.
How much does Latisse cost without insurance?
Without insurance, what you’ll pay for Latisse depends on several factors, including your:
Specific pharmacy
Geographic location
Fill amount
Prescribed dosage
The following tables show the average retail prices for various quantities and doses of Latisse and generic bimatoprost.
Latisse Costs
Quantity and dose | Average retail price |
|---|---|
3 mL of 0.03% solution (1 bottle) | |
5 mL of 0.03% solution (1 bottle) |
Bimatoprost (Generic Latisse) Costs
Quantity and dose | Average retail price |
|---|---|
3 mL of 0.03% solution (1 bottle) | |
5 mL of 0.03% solution (1 bottle) |
Ways to save on Latisse without insurance
Here are four ways to save on Latisse without insurance.
1. Use a GoodRx coupon
With a GoodRx coupon, you may be able to pay a lower price for your Latisse prescription. For example, you may be able to get one 5 mL bottle of brand-name Latisse for as little as $166.29 at certain pharmacies with a free GoodRx coupon. Or you may be able to get one 5 mL bottle of generic bimatoprost for as little as $55.62 with a GoodRx coupon.
Here’s how to get a coupon:
Visit www.goodrx.com, or download the GoodRx app on your mobile device.
Type “Latisse” in the search field.
Select the correct quantity and bottle size and your location.
Choose to receive your coupon via email or text, or print it out.
Show the coupon at your pharmacy when you pick up your medication. Or present the coupon to your pharmacy staff early on in the filling process, such as when you first receive your prescription, to prevent delays at the pickup counter.
2. Compare prices at various pharmacies
With the help of GoodRx, you can easily compare costs at different pharmacies in your area to find the best price for Latisse.
3. Ask your prescriber about alternatives
If you’re concerned about the cost of brand-name Latisse, speak with a pharmacist or your prescriber. There may be another product or medication, like generic bimatoprost, that adequately treats your condition and better fits your budget.
4. Use tax-advantaged healthcare funds
If you have a flexible spending account (FSA), a health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), consider using those funds to buy your medication. This can lower your out-of-pocket costs through tax savings.
Methodology
We obtained national prescription coverage data for each medication from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT). The data reflects health insurance coverage as of January 2025.
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).
The bottom line
Latisse (bimatoprost) is a prescription-only topical medication that can lengthen, thicken, and darken your eyelashes. What you’ll pay for Latisse depends on your pharmacy, location, prescribed quantity, insurance status, and other factors.
If you don’t have insurance, there are strategies that can help you save on your prescription. For example, with a GoodRx coupon, a 5 mL bottle of 0.03% brand-name Latisse could cost as little as $166.29 at certain pharmacies. And you may be able to pay even less for the same quantity and dose of generic bimatoprost. You can also use funds from a tax-advantaged healthcare account, like a flexible spending account (FSA), or compare prices at local pharmacies to find the best price near you.
Why trust our experts?
References
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care.
Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. (2025). Hypotrichosis simplex. National Institute of Health.
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