How Much is Triamcinolone Without Insurance?
Key takeaways:
Triamcinolone (Triderm, Triasil, Kenalog) is a prescription topical corticosteroid used to treat certain skin conditions and mouth sores. The nasal spray form of the medication is available over the counter.
Without insurance, a 15 g tube of triamcinolone 0.1% ointment costs about $10.35. Many insurance plans cover triamcinolone, with Medicaid plans providing coverage for nearly all members.
You could pay as little as $4.39 for a 15 g tube of triamcinolone 0.1% ointment with a GoodRx coupon at certain pharmacies.
Access savings on related medications
Triamcinolone (Triderm, Triasil, Kenalog) is an FDA-approved generic corticosteroid medication. Topical versions of the medication, such as cream, ointment, lotion, and spray, help treat inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis in adults and children.
You can also find triamcinolone as an over-the-counter nasal spray (Nasacort Allergy) used for allergies or as a prescription dental paste (Oralone) to help treat mouth sores and ulcers. Injectable forms of triamcinolone also exist, but they are mainly used in hospitals and clinics.
This article covers the cost of different generic triamcinolone forms, including cream, ointment, lotion, topical spray, and dental paste.
How much does triamcinolone cost?
A 15 g tube of generic triamcinolone 0.1% ointment costs about $10.35 at pharmacies without insurance or discounts. You might pay around $15.41 for the 0.025% dose in the same-size tube and form. The price varies based on the form of the medication, the dose, and the amount prescribed.
The chart below lists the costs for different forms, quantities, and doses of triamcinolone at several pharmacies:
Generic triamcinolone quantity and form | Dose | Average retail price |
|---|---|---|
One 60 mL bottle of lotion | 0.025% | |
One 454 g (1 lb) jar of cream | 0.025% | |
One 454 g (1 lb) jar of ointment | 0.025% | |
One 15 g tube of cream | 0.025% | |
One 15 g tube of ointment | 0.025% | |
One 60 mL bottle of lotion | 0.1% | |
One 454 g (1 lb) jar of cream | 0.1% | |
One 454 g (1 lb) jar of ointment | 0.1% | |
One 30 g tube of cream | 0.1% | |
One 30 g tube of ointment | 0.1% | |
One 5 g tube of paste | 0.1% | |
One 15 g tube of cream | 0.5% | |
One 15 g tube of ointment | 0.5% | |
One 63 g bottle of spray | 0.147 mg/g |
Which factors affect the cost of triamcinolone?
What you pay for triamcinolone can vary based on several factors:
Location: GoodRx research shows that cities like New York and Little Rock, Arkansas, often have higher costs. Places like Atlanta and Houston tend to fall below the national average.
Pharmacy: Pharmacies located near one another might charge different prices for the same medication.
Insurance: If you have insurance, your plan’s deductibles, copays, and coinsurance determine what you’ll pay.
Generic vs. brand name: Generic triamcinolone costs less than the brand-name version.
Dose: If the condition being treated requires more frequent applications or covers a large area, your prescription may be for a larger container size. The potency of the medication prescribed can also affect your cost.
Form: Different forms of the medication can have varying prices. For example, triamcinolone ointment may cost more than the cream at some pharmacies, even at the same dose and quantity.
Does insurance cover triamcinolone?
Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans cover topical triamcinolone for most enrollees, with no prior authorization or step therapy requirements.
About 99% of people with commercial insurance plans have access to triamcinolone. Some people in these plans may need prior authorization, but step therapy isn’t typically required.
Medicare covers triamcinolone for most people, usually with no requirements for prior authorization or step therapy. Nearly all Medicaid enrollees have coverage for triamcinolone, with very few needing prior authorization or step therapy.
Are you using triamcinolone correctly? Find out what pharmacists say about side effects and best practices for using topical steroid medications safely.
Triamcinolone can help treat skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. These conditions look similar. A dermatologist explains why knowing the difference matters.
Nasacort (triamcinolone) nasal spray is available over the counter to treat allergies. But using the right dose is important. Get answers to common questions about Nasacort dosages.
You can learn more about your insurance costs and coverage by reviewing your health plan’s formulary (medication list) and summary of benefits and coverage.
How different insurance plans cover triamcinolone
The following table shows the likelihood of coverage and prior authorization and step therapy requirements for triamcinolone based on the type of insurance plan.
Insurance coverage for triamcinolone
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for triamcinolone | Enrollees required to get a prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
87.4% | 0% | 0% | |
Commercial plans (not including ACA plans) | 98.8% | 2.0% | 0% |
Medicare (original Medicare and Medicare Advantage) | 98.7% | 0% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.9% | 0.2% | 0.14% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of December 13, 2024. (See methodology below)
If triamcinolone is not covered by your insurance, you can try a few things:
Talk to your prescriber: They can recommend alternative medications that are covered by your insurance or may be more affordable.
Request a formulary exception: Ask your insurance company to make an exception and cover triamcinolone. If they deny your request, you have the right to file an appeal.
Consider a different insurance plan: During your next open enrollment period, compare insurance plans to find one that offers better prescription medication coverage and has triamcinolone in its formulary.
Ways to save on triamcinolone
Generic triamcinolone is generally affordable, but there are still several ways to reduce your costs whether you have insurance or not:
1. Use a GoodRx coupon
A GoodRx coupon can help lower the cost of triamcinolone at many pharmacies. Using the price comparison tool, you can find the best deals in your area. Simply visit www.goodrx.com or download the GoodRx app to access your coupon.
Here’s what you might pay for triamcinolone using a GoodRx coupon:
Generic triamcinolone quantity and form | Dose | Average retail price | GoodRx price |
|---|---|---|---|
One 60 mL bottle of lotion | 0.025% | ||
One 454 g (1 lb) jar of cream | 0.025% | ||
One 454 g (1 lb) jar of ointment | 0.025% | ||
One 15 g tube of cream | 0.025% | ||
One 15 g tube of ointment | 0.025% | ||
One 60 mL bottle of lotion | 0.1% | ||
One 454 g (1 lb) jar of cream | 0.1% | ||
One 454 g (1 lb) jar of ointment | 0.1% | ||
One 30 g tube of cream | 0.1% | ||
One 30 g tube of ointment | 0.1% | ||
One 5 g tube of paste | 0.1% | ||
One 15 g tube of cream | 0.5% | ||
One 15 g tube of ointment | 0.5% | ||
One 63 g bottle of spray | 0.147 mg/g |
2. Compare pharmacy prices
Not all pharmacies charge the same price for prescription medications. This is also true for triamcinolone, so it pays to shop around. A few phone calls or an online search can help you find the best price in your area.
3. Use tax-advantaged accounts
If you have a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can use these tax-free funds to pay for triamcinolone. You can use your HSA or FSA card at the pharmacy or save your receipts for reimbursement. Keep in mind that FSA funds expire annually, but HSA funds roll over every year.
The bottom line
Without insurance, a 15 g tube of generic triamcinolone 0.1% ointment costs around $10.35. The 0.025% dose in the same size and form costs around $15.41. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on factors like where you live, which pharmacy you use, and the dose and form of the medication. To save money, consider using GoodRx coupons, comparing pharmacy prices, or using funds from a health savings account or a flexible spending account.
Why trust our experts?
Methodology
We obtained national prescription coverage data for each medication from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT). The data reflects health insurance coverage as of December 2024.
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).
References
Cosette Pharmaceuticals. (2024). Triamcinolone acetonide ointment. DailyMed.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
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