How Much Is Zoloft Without Insurance?
Key takeaways:
Zoloft (sertraline) is a commonly prescribed medication that’s FDA approved to treat depression and other mental health conditions.
Without insurance, a 30-day supply of brand-name Zoloft tablets can cost around $551.84. The exact price you pay will depend on factors like your pharmacy and location, as well as your dosage.
A GoodRx coupon may be able to help you save around 20% off the cost of Zoloft at some pharmacies. You may also be eligible for a manufacturer savings card.
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Zoloft (sertraline) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) that’s FDA approved to treat anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. It helps raise levels of serotonin, a chemical that regulates mood, in the brain. Zoloft is available in various forms, including tablets and an oral liquid solution.
If you don’t have insurance, Zoloft could cost you well over $6,000 a year out of pocket. But, even without insurance, there are ways to save money on your medication.
How much does Zoloft cost, and what affects the price?
The retail price of Zoloft depends on the dosage and form (tablets or the liquid) as well as other factors. At some pharmacies, a 30-day supply of 50 mg Zoloft tablets costs about $551.84. A 60 mL bottle of 20 mg/mL liquid Zoloft can range anywhere from $250 to $350. How long a 60 mL bottle of Zoloft will last you depends on your prescribed dosage. For instance, if you take 50 mg per day, one bottle would last you 24 days.
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In general, the cost of your medication will depend on the following factors:
Location: Prices for prescription medication can vary across the country. GoodRx research shows that you may pay more for prescription medications in Southern cities like Little Rock, Arkansas, and New Orleans. Meanwhile, residents of Denver pay significantly less than the national average.
Pharmacy: Prescription medication prices can also vary from one pharmacy to another, even in the same town. This is because pharmacies can mark up medications.
Insurance: Even if you have an insurance plan that covers Zoloft, you may have to pay deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Also, if Zoloft is listed in a higher tier on your plan’s formulary, you’ll likely have to pay more for the medication.
Dosage: Your prescriber will likely start you with a low dose of Zoloft and increase it as needed. The retail price of Zoloft can vary depending on the dose.
Form: While there can be differences in the prices of Zoloft tablets and the oral liquid, what you pay will ultimately depend on your dosage. For example, 24 tablets of 100 mg Zoloft costs about $425.35 at some pharmacies, while an equivalent amount of the liquid costs about $698.24.
Discounts: Discount programs, such as coupons through GoodRx, or a savings card from the manufacturer can help lower the cost of your prescription.
Does insurance cover Zoloft?
While some insurance plans cover Zoloft, each one has its own criteria. If you have insurance, review your plan details to get a better idea of coverage and requirements.
There’s a good chance that your insurance plan will require you to undergo step therapy before covering Zoloft. This means you'll need to try a different, likely lower-cost option or the generic version of Zoloft first. If that medication doesn't work well for you, then your insurance may agree to cover Zoloft.
Additionally, you may need to work with your prescriber to get a prior authorization before your insurance plan will cover Zoloft.
Does Medicare cover Zoloft?
Medicare Part D plans must cover medications that fall under the six protected classes of prescription medications, which include antidepressants. But not every antidepressant may be covered under your plan.
If your Medicare plan does not cover brand-name Zoloft, you might need to take the generic version or search for a Part D plan that covers Zoloft. To understand the specifics of your coverage, review your plan's formulary, which lists covered medications.
Does Medicaid cover Zoloft?
Medicaid coverage for Zoloft is different in each state. So, depending on where you live, Medicaid may or may not pay for the medication.
As an example, Zoloft is a non-preferred medication in North Carolina, but sertraline is a preferred medication. To get brand-name Zoloft covered in the state, you may need to try two preferred SSRI medications first and show that they didn't work for you. You may also have a higher copayment for the medication if you do get approved for coverage.
Check with your state Medicaid program to find out if your plan covers Zoloft and what criteria you need to meet for coverage.
How can you get your insurance to cover Zoloft?
Zoloft was first approved by the FDA in 1991. For adults, the medication is used to treat mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Zoloft is also approved to treat OCD in children age 6 and older.
Here are some steps you can take to get your insurance to cover Zoloft:
Talk to a healthcare professional. If your medical team determines Zoloft is right for you, they’ll write you a prescription for the medication.
Review your insurance coverage. See if Zoloft is included in your insurance plan's formulary. It may be easiest to call your plan’s customer service number and ask for details about coverage and out-of-pocket costs.
Obtain a prior authorization or step therapy approval. If a prior authorization or step therapy is a requirement for coverage, your prescriber can send a letter of medical necessity to your insurer. This letter will explain why Zoloft is necessary for your treatment and confirm that you’ve completed step therapy, if needed.
File an appeal if needed. If Zoloft is on your plan's formulary but your request for coverage is denied, don’t give up. You and your prescriber can appeal the decision. This involves providing your insurance company with more information about why you need Zoloft.
If Zoloft isn't in your plan's formulary, you and your prescriber can ask for a formulary exception. Each plan has its own requirements for this, so check with your insurance provider for details.
Ways to save money on Zoloft
Looking to get your medication at a lower price? Read about six ways to save money on Zoloft, below.
1. Use a GoodRx coupon
With a GoodRx coupon, you may be able to lower the price of 100 mg Zoloft tablets by around 20%, which could mean paying as little as $422.79 at some pharmacies. A GoodRx coupon may also be able to save you up to 20% off the retail price of the oral solution.
Here’s how to get a coupon:
Visit www.goodrx.com or install the GoodRx app on your mobile device.
Type "Zoloft" in the search field. Be sure to select “Zoloft (brand-name)” in the drop-down menu, otherwise the page will show you prices for generic sertraline.
Press return on your keyboard or click on "Find the lowest prices."
Receive your coupon via text or email, or print it out.
Show the coupon at the pharmacy when you pick up your Zoloft prescription.
2. Take advantage of the Zoloft Savings Card
You could pay as little as $4 per month for your prescription if you qualify for the Zoloft Savings Card. If you are enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or another state or federal healthcare program, you can only use this savings card if you pay for the medication out of pocket, however. The card offers a maximum savings of $150 per prescription for anyone who qualifies.
3. Request a 90-day supply
Ask your prescriber to write you a prescription for a 90-day supply of Zoloft instead of a 30-day supply. This can lower your overall costs and reduce your trips to the pharmacy, saving you time and money. If your insurance covers Zoloft, ask if there are discounts for using your plan’s mail-order pharmacy.
4. Compare prices at various pharmacies
GoodRx can help you easily compare costs at different pharmacies to find the best Zoloft price in your area.
5. Make the most of your HSA or FSA funds
Do you have a health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA)? If so, you can use the funds in your account to save money on your Zoloft prescription. Paying for Zoloft with your HSA or FSA reduces your out-of-pocket costs through tax savings.
6. Ask about the generic version
Consider talking to your prescriber about switching to generic sertraline. The generic version of Zoloft, known as sertraline, will likely cost you less than the brand-name version.
For example, a 30-day supply of 50 mg sertraline tablets costs about $31.68 at some pharmacies. And a 60 mL bottle of the 20 mg/mL liquid sertraline costs about $69.30. Plus, most insurance plans cover sertraline, so it's definitely an option worth considering to save money.
The bottom line
A month's supply of brand-name Zoloft (sertraline) tablets costs between $440 and $560 without insurance. Though, the exact amount you’ll pay depends on where you live, the pharmacy you choose, and your insurance coverage. To lower the cost of Zoloft, you can use a GoodRx coupon, apply for a manufacturer savings card, or get a 90-day supply. Another option is to talk to your prescriber about getting the generic version, which will likely cost you less.
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References
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2016). Part D drugs and formulary requirements. Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Manual.
North Carolina Division of Health Benefits. (2024). North Carolina Medicaid preferred drug list (PDL).
Pfizer, Inc. (2021). Zoloft [package insert].
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