Modafinil (Provigil) and cost

As with all medications, the cost of modafinil can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.

To find out what the cost of modafinil will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers modafinil. This means the company and your doctor will discuss modafinil in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether modafinil requires prior authorization.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and modafinil.

Does modafinil 200 mg cost more than modafinil 100 mg?

It may. The cost of the 200-milligram (mg) modafinil tablet compared with the 100-mg tablet can depend on certain factors. These include:

• the pharmacy you use
• whether you have insurance
• your insurance plan’s benefits, including your drug copay amount
• whether you’re eligible and apply for savings or discount programs
• the quantity and dosage of modafinil your doctor prescribes

To find out what the cost of 200-mg modafinil will be for you, contact your insurance plan provider. If you don’t have insurance, you can refer to the question just below.

If you have questions about the modafinil dosage that’s right for you, talk with your doctor.

How much does modafinil cost without insurance?

Modafinil’s cost without insurance may depend on the pharmacy you use to fill your prescription. Other factors that may affect what you pay for modafinil without insurance can include:

• the quantity you’re prescribed such as a 30-day or 90-day supply
• your dosage
• whether you’re eligible and apply for savings or discount programs

It may be helpful to check with several pharmacies to find the least expensive option for your prescription. If you have questions about this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more information. You can also refer to the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below.

Check out Optum Perks* for estimates of modafinil’s price when using coupons from the site. (Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance benefits or copays.)

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.

Modafinil is a generic drug, which means it’s an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

Modafinil is available as the brand-name drug Provigil. If your doctor has prescribed modafinil and you’re interested in taking Provigil instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may cover only one or the other.

To find out how the cost of this brand-name drug compares with the cost of modafinil, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you take modafinil long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of modafinil. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Modafinil may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need financial support to pay for modafinil, consider looking into websites that offer cost resources and information. Two such organizations are:

• Medicine Assistance Tool
• NeedyMeds

These sites can provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and modafinil, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to modafinil. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for modafinil.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

• Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare prescription drug plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
• Save money. Explore this article for tips about how to save money on prescriptions.
• Information about your condition. For more information about your condition see our science of sleep hub.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.