How Much Is Prednisone Without Insurance?

Prednisone helps your body fight swelling and inflammation. This oral corticosteroid is FDA-approved to treat many conditions, including allergies, asthma, and arthritis. You can take prednisone short term or long term, depending on your medical condition. 

Prednisone is available as a tablet, delayed-release tablet, and regular and concentrated solution forms. Rayos (delayed-release tablets) and Prednisone Intensol (concentrated solution) are the brand-name versions. Your cost for prednisone depends on many factors, including your location and pharmacy, as well as the version of the medication you’re prescribed. However, you can reduce the price by comparison shopping and downloading a GoodRx coupon.

How much does prednisone cost, and what affects the price?

The retail price of prednisone without insurance is about $11.09 for 10 tablets with a 20 mg dose. However, the price you pay for prednisone will depend on the following: 

• Pharmacy: Pharmacies often negotiate with medication manufacturers. These compromises can result in various prednisone discounts or rebates among pharmacies.

• Location: Where you live will affect your price for prednisone. For example, prescriptions tend to cost more in Milwaukee than in Dallas-Fort Worth, according to GoodRx research.

• Insurance: If your health insurance covers prednisone, you may still have out-of-pocket costs. The cost of your coinsurance or copayments will vary depending on your plan.

• Dosage: Prednisone dosages usually range from 5 mg to 60 mg for adults. For 10 tablets with a 5 mg dose, the cost is around $8.59. For a 50 mg dose, the price is around $19.75.

• Form: Prednisone dose packs and solutions cost more than tablets. For example, a 120 mL bottle of oral solution costs about $94.44.

• Version: The brand-name medications Rayos and Prednisone Intensol cost more than generic prednisone. For example, a 30 mL bottle of Prednisone Intensol costs around $160.21.

• Savings offer: Qualifying for the Rayos savings program will cut the cost of brand-name prednisone. 

• Treatment plan: If you take prednisone for a short period, your cost will be lower than if you take it long term.

There are steps you can take to get a better estimate of your prednisone cost. Speak with your insurance provider, prescriber, and pharmacist for more information.

Does insurance cover prednisone?

Prednisone was FDA-approved in 1955 as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive agent. Insurance providers generally cover medications that are FDA-approved for specific uses. Coverage details vary among plans. 

Providers may classify prednisone as a preferred or non-preferred medication. Non-preferred medications usually cost more. Either classification may involve quantity limits and prior authorization. Providers may also offer more coverage for generic medications, since they tend to cost less than brand-name medications. 

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Employer-sponsored insurance and Medicare 

Commercial insurance and Medicare Part D plans will likely cover prednisone. The medication treats several medical conditions, including asthma, allergies, and arthritis. Coverage details may vary depending on your plan. Check your formulary or preferred drug list (PDL) for requirements and out-of-pocket costs.

Medicaid

Medicaid coverage of prednisone varies by state. For example, New York lists generic prednisone dose packs and tablets as preferred medications. The prednisone concentrated solution and delayed-release tablets are non-preferred. Louisiana lists prednisone tablets as preferred medications. Prednisone solutions, dose packs, and delayed-release tablets are non-preferred. Check your state plan for details.

How can you get your insurance to cover prednisone?

The best way to increase your chances of prednisone coverage is to follow these steps:

• Read your insurance plan. Review your summary of benefits and coverage (SBC) and search your formulary. You’ll find out whether your plan covers prednisone and how your coverage works.

• Talk to your healthcare professional. You and your prescriber must agree that prednisone is your best treatment option. Then, they can prescribe the medication and help you navigate insurance coverage challenges. 

• Get prior authorization if required. Find out if your plan mandates prior authorization for prednisone. Then, your prescriber can help you with information to get your insurance provider's approval.

• Request an appeal if necessary. If your provider denies you coverage for prednisone, you can request an appeal. Your prescriber can provide documentation to support your need for the medication.

Ways to save money on prednisone

There are many ways you can save money on prednisone with and without insurance:

1. Use a GoodRx coupon

A GoodRx coupon can lower the price of 20 mg prednisone (10 tablets) by up to 60%, which means you may pay as low as $2.40 at some pharmacies. For the 50 mL oral solution, a GoodRx coupon can save you up to 67% off the retail price. 

To get a GoodRx coupon, pull up the GoodRx website or app, type “prednisone” in the search box, and select the medication from the drop-down menu. Review coupons for different pharmacies and select the appropriate one to present to the pharmacist when you pick up the prescription. 

2. Compare pharmacy prices

While using the GoodRx app or website, compare prednisone prices at different pharmacies. You might discover that the medication costs less at a different pharmacy than the one you normally use.

3. Buy generic prednisone 

Generic medications usually cost less than brand-names medications. Generics don't need the same level of investment in research, development, and marketing. Prednisone tablets and the regular solution are available as generics. The delayed-release tablets and concentrated solution are currently only available as brand-name medications.

4. Apply for a patient assistance program (PAP)

The HealthWell Foundation provides financial help for out-of-pocket medical expenses. On the website, type “prednisone” in the medication search box. Then, choose your condition to see if funding is available. Your medical, financial, and insurance situation determines eligibility. 

5. Apply for a manufacturer savings card 

With a Rayos Savings Card, you may be able to pay as little as $0 per 30-day supply. The savings limit is $800 for each prescription of 30 pills. You must have commercial insurance. You also can’t have federal or state program coverage, such as Medicaid or Medicare.

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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:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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