Viagra is a medication doctors use to help treat ED. In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also approved it to treat pulmonary hypertension.
Viagra is the brand name for sildenafil, which belongs to a class of drugs called phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE-5 inhibitors). Viagra helps you to get and maintain an erection by allowing more blood flow to the penis.
A note on sex and gender: Sex and gender exist on a spectrum. We use the terms men and males in this article to refer to people assigned male at birth.
ED medications and insurance
While medication and treatment coverage can vary by insurance company and plan, insurance plans generally cover ED medications. They may include generic options rather than their branded versions. This is because brand-name drugs, like Viagra, are often more costly.
To find out whether your health insurance covers sildenafil (Viagra), you can check your certificate of coverage. This details the benefits and services offered under your insurance plan — it should also include what’s not covered.
You can also check your insurer’s formulary or drugs list, which details the medications your specific health plan covers, typically divided into tiers. Formulary tiers are typically based on the medication’s cost, and each tier may have a different copay. They may also vary by insurance company and plan.
Underlying health conditions and ED drugs
ED can also signal cardiovascular disease and other health conditions, such as:
- high cholesterol
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- heart disease
- kidney disease
- depression
- anxiety
A doctor or healthcare professional may prescribe drugs more commonly used for ED to treat these conditions. If an insurer excludes ED treatment, you may need to confirm the alternate reason for your medication.
If you have insurance with limited or no prescription drug coverage, you may consider an add-on plan or one that includes a wider range of medications.
If you have Medicare, you may consider a Medicare Part D plan, which is the part that covers prescription drugs and is available through private insurers.
The best way to confirm your coverage and potential copayments is to contact the health insurance provider directly.
Out-of-pocket costs
The price of sildenafil (Viagra) varies, and so may your out-of-pocket costs. If you have insurance, you may only have to pay the copayment, which could be around $5–$10 on some plans.
Oral tablet forms of sildenafil (Viagra) come in doses of 20 milligrams (mg), 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg.
The average price per pill of Viagra costs around $90–$140 per pill without insurance. The average price of sildenafil is around $2–$6.
Other ED medications
Some of the other ED medications that insurance may cover include:
- avanafil (Stendra)
- tadalafil (Cialis)
- vardenafil (Levitra)
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Follow the links on drug names for savings on that medication, or search for a specific drug here.
