How Much Is Mirtazapine Without Insurance?

Major depressive disorder is not just a matter of feeling sad. It's a type of depression that can last for weeks or months and cause symptoms such as low energy, lack of interest in normally pleasurable activities, poor concentration, and feelings of emptiness. In some cases, this condition can lead to trouble sleeping and suicidal thoughts. 

There are medications that can help manage depression. One such medication is mirtazapine (Remeron). The medication works by increasing the amounts of the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine in the brain, which can help to improve your mood.

Mirtazapine basics

Mirtazapine was FDA approved in 1996 to treat depression in adults. It is not approved to treat depression in children. 

The medication also has some off-label uses, meaning it's prescribed for conditions that it has not been FDA approved to treat.

Mirtazapine is a generic medication that is also sold under the brand names Remeron (immediate-release tablet) and Remeron Soltab (orally disintegrating tablet). 

The chart below provides a summary of basic information about mirtazapine.

Mirtazapine Basics

Is mirtazapine typically covered by insurance?

Health insurance plans typically cover mental health treatments, including some medications. The vast majority of Medicare and commercial insurance plans cover the generic forms of mirtazapine. 

If you have insurance, check your plan’s summary of benefits and coverage and formulary to determine whether generic mirtazapine or brand-name Remeron is covered.

How insurance covers mirtazapine

Most health insurance plans cover mirtazapine and also don’t require a prior authorization or step therapy.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Taking mirtazapine (Remeron) can cause side effects. While some side effects are minor and can be temporary, others — such as suicidal thoughts — are more serious.

• Your mirtazapine dosage: While the typical starting dosage of mirtazapine for adults is 15 mg per day, your prescriber may increase your dosage depending on your response to the medication.

• Avoid taking mirtazapine with certain medications. Taking mirtazapine with certain treatments, such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), can be dangerous.

The chart below shows your likelihood of having coverage and needing a prior authorization, or step therapy with:

• Commercial insurance, not including plans purchased through an Affordable Care Act (ACA) national or state marketplace

• ACA plans

• Medicare, including original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans

• Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans

Insurance Coverage for Generic Mirtazapine

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

Tips if your medication isn’t covered by insurance

Here are a few options to try if you have insurance that does not cover mirtazapine:

• Ask for an exception from your prescription medication plan. Keep in mind you may be required to do step therapy or get a prior authorization to be covered.

• File an appeal with your plan if your claim is denied.

• Use a GoodRx coupon for potential savings.

• Talk to your prescriber about alternative medications.

• Consider changing your prescription medication coverage during your next open enrollment period.

How much does mirtazapine cost without insurance?

If you don’t have health insurance, the price you pay for mirtazapine will depend on the following factors:

• Your dosage

• The dosage form (tablets or orally disintegrating tablets)

• Whether you’re prescribed a brand-name or generic version, since generic medications typically cost less

• The fill quantity (90-day supply versus 30-day supply)

• Your geographic location

• Your specific pharmacy

Prices for different mirtazapine tablet forms

The charts below contain current average retail prices for 30-day supplies of different tablet forms and doses of mirtazapine and Remeron.

How to afford generic mirtazapine without insurance

Here are five ways to save on generic mirtazapine without insurance.

1. Use a GoodRx coupon

With a GoodRx coupon, you may be able to pay a lower price for your mirtazapine prescription.

Here’s how to get a coupon:

• Visit www.goodrx.com or install the GoodRx app on your mobile device.

• Type “mirtazapine” in the search field and select “mirtazapine (generic Remeron).”

• Choose the correct dose, quantity, and location.

• Click or tap on “Search prices” to find prices at pharmacies near you.

• Choose to receive your coupon via text or email, print it out, or save it on the app.

• Show the coupon at the pharmacy when you pick up your medication. Or present the coupon to your pharmacy’s staff early on in the filling process, such as when you first receive your prescription, to help prevent delays at the pick-up counter.

2. Request a 90-day supply

Ask your prescriber to write you a prescription for a 90-day (3-month) supply of mirtazapine instead of a 30-day supply to compare costs. Filling a 3-month supply may lower your overall costs and reduce your trips to the pharmacy.

You can also ask about potential discounts for using a mail-order pharmacy.

3. Compare prices at various pharmacies

Using the GoodRx website or app, you can easily compare mirtazapine costs at different pharmacies near you to help you find the best price in your area.

4. Talk to your prescriber about alternatives

If you are concerned about the cost of mirtazapine, talk to your prescriber. There may be another medication that adequately treats your condition and fits your budget.

5. Use your HSA or FSA funds

If you have a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), paying for your medication with these funds reduces your out-of-pocket costs through tax savings.

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Written by:

Tamara E. Holmes

Tamara E. Holmes is a Washington, DC-based freelance journalist and content strategist who has been writing about personal finance, health, and health insurance for more than a decade. Her work has appeared in various print and online publications, such as USA Today, AARP, Working Mother, and Diversity Woman.

Edited by:

Cindy George, MPH

Cindy George is the senior personal finance editor at GoodRx. She is an endlessly curious health journalist and digital storyteller.

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

National prescription coverage data for each medication was obtained from Managed Markets Insight and Technology (MMIT), reflecting health insurance coverage as of September 2024. The percentage of enrollees in plans that cover each medication was calculated 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. Similarly, the percentage of enrollees in plans with prior authorization was determined by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that require prior authorization for the medication within each channel. The percentage of enrollees in plans with step therapy was calculated as the proportion of enrollees in plans that impose step therapy requirements for the medication in each channel. These estimates, derived from national MMIT coverage data, provide insight into the health insurance coverage landscape for each medication, taking into account restrictions such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits. The percentages are expressed relative to the total population of enrollees covered by insurance across various channels, including ACA plans, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state and managed Medicaid).