How Much Is Metformin Without Insurance?

Before medications such as Ozempic (semaglutide) for Type 2 diabetes, there was metformin. It’s ranked as the most commonly prescribed medication for Type 2 diabetes.  

​​Metformin comes in tablet or liquid form, as well as immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER) versions. Adults and children ages 10 and older can take metformin IR, but only adults can take metformin ER. Metformin ER is also sold under brand names, including Glumetza and Fortamet.

The cost of metformin depends on several factors, including your location, pharmacy, quantity, and dosage. You can reduce the cost of this medication by comparing prices at different pharmacies and downloading a free GoodRx discount.

How much does metformin cost per month without insurance?

Without insurance or discounts, 60 tablets of generic metformin 500 mg cost around  $15.08. By comparison, the average retail price for one 300 mL bottle of oral liquid is $307.17 without insurance.

What factors affect the cost of metformin?

Factors that can affect what you pay for metformin include:

• Location: Where you live will affect the price you pay for metformin. According to GoodRx research, prescription medications typically cost more in Los Angeles than in Atlanta, for example.

• Pharmacy: Prescription prices vary at different retailers. Pharmacies negotiate prices with distributors, so they may pay varying costs for the same medication. That’s why you may find two different prices for your medication even at pharmacies that are in the same neighborhood.

• Insurance: If your insurance covers metformin, you may still have out-of-pocket expenses. These costs may include premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

• Quantity: The number of tablets or the amount of liquid you buy will affect the price of metformin. For example, let’s say your healthcare professional prescribes 1 tablet twice daily. Then your 1-month supply must include 60 tablets instead of 30.

• Dosage: Your prescriber will likely start you on a low dose of metformin. They will likely increase the dosage until your blood glucose (sugar) is managed. Going from 500 mg to 1,000 mg could raise the price of your 60-tablet prescription by a few dollars.

• Specific metformin product: For example, metformin ER (generic for Glucophage ER) costs much less than the generic and brand-name versions of Fortamet and Glumetza.

Disclosure

Metformin

Avg retail price

$40.62(Save 66.69%)

GoodRx discount

$13.53

See all discounts

How it works

Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.

GoodRx discounts can help you pay less for your prescription.

Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.

Does insurance cover metformin?

Yes, metformin tablets are widely covered by health insurance plans, including:

• Medicaid

• Medicare

• Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace

• Commercial

Only about 1 in 3 Medicare and ACA marketplace enrollees receive coverage for metformin oral solution. More than 9 in 10 people with commercial insurance are covered. Nearly all Medicaid enrollees have coverage, but more than half of those plans require prior authorization.

Insurance coverage for metformin ER (Glumetza generic) and metformin ER (Fortamet generic) varies widely by plan type. Nearly all Medicaid enrollees have coverage for both, though more than 6 in 10 plans require prior authorization. About half of people with ACA marketplace or commercial plans have coverage, while only about 1 in 5 Medicare enrollees are covered.

Different insurance plans may or may not cover metformin for nondiabetic uses such as weight loss or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Check your plan’s formulary (list of covered medications) and specific plan details to verify metformin coverage, requirements, and out-of-pocket costs.

How different insurance plans cover metformin

The tables below break down the percentage of enrollees who have coverage for metformin by insurance type. They also show the likelihood of having prior authorization and step therapy requirements.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Still have flexible spending account (FSA) funds left? You can use your FSA dollars on prescription medications such as metformin before they expire.

• Looking for ways to save on diabetes medications and supplies? From GoodRx coupons to manufacturer copay savings cards, here are ways to save.

• Ozempic vs. metformin: Here are some differences between metformin and Ozempic (semaglutide).

Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of June 13, 2025. (See methodology below.)

If your insurance doesn’t cover metformin, consider taking the following steps:

• Ask your healthcare professional about alternative medications. There may be a way to switch your prescription to another medication on your plan’s formulary or explore other treatments for your condition.

• Request a formulary exception to get metformin covered by your plan. Your prescriber will likely need to write a letter of medical necessity explaining why metformin is required for your condition. You can appeal the decision if the request is denied.

• Compare health plans during the next open enrollment period. You might find a plan that better covers your medications with lower out-of-pocket costs.

How can you get your insurance provider to cover metformin?

Here are five steps you can take to increase the likelihood that your insurance provider will cover metformin:

• Review your health insurance plan. Start by examining your documents, including the Summary of Benefits and Coverage and formulary. They should tell you whether metformin is covered and whether you must meet specific criteria.

• See if you need prior authorization. Your insurance provider may require approval before covering metformin. To get prior authorization, your prescriber may have to confirm your Type 2 diabetes diagnosis. They may also have to verify the medication’s necessity.

• Find out whether step therapy is required. If you’re prescribed a brand-name version of metformin, your insurance plan may require you to try generic metformin first to see if it’s effective before the company will pay for the other medication.

• Request a formulary exception. Ask for an exception if metformin is not on your insurance plan's formulary. Your prescriber will likely have to submit documentation explaining why metformin is medically necessary for your treatment.

• File an appeal. You usually have up to 180 days (6 months) to file an appeal if your health insurance claim is denied. Review the process and gather documents to back up your claim. If you’re turned down again, you can request an external review by an independent third party.

Ways to save on metformin

There are a few ways you can save on metformin:

1. Use a GoodRx discount

A free GoodRx discount can lower the cost of your metformin prescription. Many pharmacies accept these coupons. And while you’re looking at the GoodRx website or app, compare costs among pharmacies in your area to see which one has the best deal near you.

The table below shows average prices for different doses and quantities of metformin when using a GoodRx coupon at participating pharmacies.

To use the discount:

• Visit www.goodrx.com or download the app.

• Search for “metformin,” then click or tap “Find the lowest prices.”

• Select your prescribed dose and quantity.

• Choose to receive the discount information by text, email, or print. You can also have it available on your phone screen or add it to your phone’s digital wallet app.

To avoid delays, show the discount at the pharmacy before your prescription is filled.

2. Ask about a 90-day prescription

If you’re paying out of pocket, many pharmacies provide discounts on larger quantities. Additionally, certain insurance plans offer lower copays for 90-day prescriptions compared with monthly refills. Mail-order pharmacy services through your plan may also provide better pricing.

3. Use a tax-advantaged health account

Your flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or health reimbursement account (HRA) can be used to cover many qualified medical expenses, including your out-of-pocket costs for metformin. These tax-advantaged health accounts allow you to pay for eligible expenses with pretax dollars. Make sure you understand how your health account works so you can make the most of your benefits.

4. Ask your prescriber about lower-cost generics

Generic medications are usually more affordable than brand-name versions, because they don’t require the same research, development, and marketing costs.

Metformin IR and metformin ER are both available as lower-cost generics. Metformin IR is the generic version of brand-name Glucophage. However, brand-name Glucophage is no longer available in the U.S. The three generic versions of metformin ER tablets were developed from a different brand-name medication:

• Fortamet

• Glumetza

• Glucophage XR (brand name no longer available)

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Written by:

Mitzi S. Morris

Mitzi S. Morris is a freelancer who writes long-form content such as blogs, e-books, and white papers. She has a certificate in digital communication from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Hanover College.

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:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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Methodology

We obtained national prescription coverage data for each medication from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT). The data reflects health insurance coverage as of June 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 ACA plans, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).