Micafungin

Introduction

Written by Sarah Lewis, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Elizabeth Scheffel, PharmD
Updated on January 17, 2024

Micafungin (mi ka FUN gin) is a generic medication that’s given for certain fungal infections. The brand-name version of this drug is Mycamine. The drug is given by injection into your vein by a doctor or under the direct supervision of a doctor in a hospital.

The cost of micafungin with or without insurance can depend on several factors.

Read on to learn about micafungin and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescriptions. If you’d like more information about micafungin, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

Cost of micafungin

Like other medications, the cost of micafungin can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the cost of your hospital stay

To find out how much micafungin costs, ask your doctor or insurance provider.

Coupons for micafungin

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of your prescriptions. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your other prescription costs.

But coupons aren’t available for medications like micafungin that are only given by a healthcare professional.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for micafungin

The cost of micafungin is typically billed through your medical coverage rather than a pharmacy benefits plan. This is because a doctor or another healthcare professional gives doses of micafungin in a hospital. The cost of your doses will depend on your medical insurance coverage.

If you have questions about this, ask your doctor. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor know. You can ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Micafungin is a generic medication. The brand-name version of this drug is Mycamine.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

To learn how the cost of micafungin compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about micafungin and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about micafungin.  

How does the cost of micafungin compare with the cost of caspofungin?

It depends. The cost of micafungin and caspofungin will depend on your medical insurance, if you have it. The government sets hospital payment rates for Medicare and Medicaid. Private medical insurances negotiate these payment rates. The payment rate will be specific to the diagnosis and procedures you have in the hospital. Medications like micafungin and caspofungin are included in this payment rate.

You can learn more about how the cost of micofungin and caspofungin compare by contacting your insurance provider. 

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years without anyone else making their drug. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications, which have already been tested. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about micafungin

This article provides cost information related to micafungin. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescriptions.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Are there lower cost drugs that could treat my condition?
• How is the cost of micafungin billed?
• What are my options if I can’t afford my medical bills?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm   
• Micafungin- micafungin injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/9f4e9192-cb74-4018-90a2-69f9f21dd667/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks 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.