How Much Lexapro Costs Without Insurance – and 3 Ways to Save

About 20% of American adults are affected by a mental health condition every year. And more than 1 out of 10 Americans takes an antidepressant medication. 

If you have a condition like major depressive disorder (MDD) or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), your healthcare provider may recommend Lexapro (escitalopram) as part of your treatment plan. This prescription-only medication is FDA approved to treat depression and anxiety. 

The cost of Lexapro can vary depending on multiple factors, including the pharmacy you choose. Fortunately, there are ways to save with discounts, coupons, and other programs. 

Does insurance cover Lexapro?

Many health insurance plans offer coverage for mental health treatment, including medications like Lexapro. Health insurance plans offered through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace, for instance, typically provide coverage for antidepressants since mental health benefits are one of the 10 essential health benefits they must offer. 

If you have employer-sponsored health insurance, you should find out if there are any coverage limitations and out-of-pocket costs that you should consider while putting together a treatment plan with your provider. Coverage varies from plan to plan, so it’s important to review your plan’s formulary and other coverage details. 

Does Medicare cover Lexapro? 

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover prescription medications. However, Medicare requires all prescription medication (Part D) plans to cover nearly all antidepressants. Some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans may also cover these medications. 

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If Lexapro is not covered under your plan, you can find out what other antidepressants are and discuss these alternatives with your healthcare provider.  

Does Medicaid Cover Lexapro?

State Medicaid programs are not required to provide prescription medication coverage under federal law. However, all states currently provide outpatient prescription medication coverage to eligible individuals. 

Many Medicaid plans provide coverage for medically necessary medications in their formulary at various in-network pharmacies. These insurance plans often provide preferred drug lists (PDLs) to guide healthcare providers in their recommendations. PDLs typically include the most commonly prescribed medications within the plan, and updates are released on a quarterly basis. Some medications require prior approval before a plan will cover them, however.

How much does Lexapro cost?

Without insurance, Lexapro can cost more than $400 for a monthly supply of 10mg tablets. But if you buy the generic version, escitalopram, you may be able to save over 95% off the average retail price of the brand-name version when you use a free GoodRx coupon. 

What factors affect the cost of Lexapro?

Similar to many prescription medications, Lexapro can vary in cost based on multiple factors. Your location, insurance coverage, and pharmacy are just a few of the items that can influence what you pay. 

Here are a few things to consider when estimating the total costs you’ll pay for Lexapro: 

• Location: You may pay a lower price for Lexapro in a rural area versus an urban area. The cost of living and demand for the medication in your location can both affect this price.  

• Pharmacy: The price of Lexapro often varies among different pharmacies — even pharmacies on the same block. GoodRx can help you compare prices in your area to ensure you’re getting the best deal.  

• Insurance coverage: Even if you have insurance coverage, you may have to pay out-of-pocket costs when filling your Lexapro prescription. Review your plan’s formulary and coverage to find out how much of the costs your insurer will cover. 

• Quantity: Pharmacies usually dispense a 1-month supply of Lexapro at a time. But if you can buy a 90-day supply of the medication instead of a 30-day supply, your monthly costs will typically be lower. 

• Dosage: A higher dosage of Lexapro may lead to higher costs. For adults and adolescents, the recommended starting dosage is typically 10 mg daily. Your healthcare provider may increase it to a maximum of 20 mg per day if necessary. 

• Generic versus brand name:  Lexapro is available in both brand-name and generic forms. If you purchase the generic version of Lexapro, you will likely pay less. Generic medications typically cost about 80% to 85% less than brand-name medications.  

How to get Lexapro covered by insurance

Though many insurance providers cover antidepressants like Lexapro, there may be some instances when you have to take additional steps to receive coverage. Below are tips to increase the probability of getting Lexapro covered by your insurance.

Review your health insurance plan details 

Your plan’s formulary will give you a better idea of the generic and brand-name prescription medications that you have coverage for. Review the documents for your plan, including the prescription medication coverage section of your handbook or your summary of benefits and coverage (SBC), to see if Lexapro is included in your plan’s formulary. 

If you have questions, reach out to your insurance provider. Make sure you have your insurance ID number and other relevant information handy, so that a representative can assist you. 

Reach out to your healthcare provider 

Your healthcare provider can help you determine if Lexapro is covered by your insurance plan. If it’s not but your provider believes it’s the most appropriate medication for you, they may be able to help you get coverage of it being medically necessary. If not, they may also be able to recommend alternatives. 

Get a prescription 

Lexapro is a prescription-only medication that is FDA approved for adults and adolescents. You can schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider to discuss the potential benefits of Lexapro and the possibility of getting a prescription.  

Obtain a prior authorization if needed

Some insurance companies may require a prior authorization before they will cover Lexapro. This means your healthcare provider will need to prove why you need Lexapro to treat your condition, instead of an alternative medication. 

Find out if step therapy is required 

You may need to go through step therapy before your health plan will cover Lexapro. This will require you to try lower-cost and/or generic alternatives to Lexapro before it’s approved for coverage. 

Request an appeal if necessary 

If you find that Lexapro isn’t covered by your plan, you can ask your healthcare provider about submitting an appeal. The exact process will depend on your insurance provider. But it often requires you to work with your healthcare provider on an appeal letter that explains your health condition, why you need the specific medication, and why you believe an error has been made. 

Ways to save money on Lexapro

Below, we discuss three ways to save on Lexapro, with or without insurance. 

1. Get a free Lexapro coupon 

Prescription discount cards and coupons can lower your medication expenses. For example, GoodRx offers free coupons for a wide range of medications, including Lexapro.

To access a free GoodRx coupon: 

• Download the GoodRx app or log on to www.goodrx.com.  

• Use the search function to find Lexapro. 

• Set your location to view coupons in your area. 

It’s worthwhile to compare the amount of your insurance copay to the price you would pay with a GoodRx coupon. In certain situations, using a GoodRx coupon might help you save more money than if you use insurance.

2. Compare prices at pharmacies in your area 

Medication costs can vary from pharmacy to pharmacy, much like other items on your shopping list. You can use websites such as www.goodrx.com to compare prices and ensure you are getting the best deal. 

Type “Lexapro” into the search bar on goodrx.com, and you’ll instantly receive prices at different locations. If you’ve been going to the same pharmacy for years, you might find a better price at another pharmacy near you. 

3. Search for patient assistance programs 

Manufacturers typically offer patient assistance programs for brand-name medications     like Lexapro. These programs help you better afford your medication if you meet certain income and insurance requirements. Typically, individuals who are uninsured or underinsured can get access to their medication at no cost through Lexapro’s patient assistance program.

Bottom line

Lexapro (escitalopram) can cost more than $400 for a 30-day supply of 10 mg tablets. The actual price you’ll pay out of pocket will depend on your location, the pharmacy you choose, and other factors. But most insurance plans, such as Medicare and Medicaid, cover antidepressants like Lexapro. 

If you don’t have insurance or are underinsured, see if you qualify for Lexapro’s patient assistance program. You can also download a free GoodRx coupon, whether you have insurance or not. And switching to generic Lexapro may help you save over 95% off the average retail price of the brand-name version. 

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Written 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.

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