Normal Saline I.v. Flush

Introduction

Written by Rachel Maynard, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Timothy Ivers, PharmD
Updated on February 5, 2024

Normal saline for intravenous (IV) use, also known as sodium chloride (SOW dee um KLOR ide) for IV use, is a generic medication that’s prescribed to replace fluids and electrolytes in your body. It is not available in a brand-name version. The cost of normal saline for IV use with or without insurance can depend on several factors.

Normal saline for IV use refers to 0.9% sodium chloride, which is 9 g/L (grams per liter).

This article provides cost information of normal saline for IV use that’s administered by intravenous (IV) infusion by a healthcare professional in a hospital, clinic, or other healthcare setting. An IV infusion is an injection into your vein given over time. 

Read on to learn about normal saline for IV use and cost. If you’d like more information about normal saline for IV use, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Cost of normal saline for IV use

Because it’s usually administered by a healthcare professional, the cost of normal saline for IV use can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• whether it’s covered under your medical insurance or your prescription benefit
• the cost of having a healthcare professional give doses of normal saline for IV use
• the amount that’s prescribed

To find out how much normal saline for IV use costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Coupons for normal saline for IV use

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

However, coupons may not be available for medications, such as normal saline for IV use, 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 normal saline for IV use

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization: If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of normal saline for IV use. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for normal saline for IV use. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin treatment without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• Insurance coverage: Even if your policy has prescription drug coverage, the price of normal saline for IV use may instead be billed through your medical coverage. This is because a doctor or another healthcare professional administers it. The cost will depend on your specific insurance plan and whether you receive the doses at your doctor’s clinic or a hospital. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
• Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to help cover the potential cost of administration of normal saline for IV use by a healthcare professional. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. Health savings accounts can be used to help cover the potential cost of administration of normal saline for IV use by a healthcare professional. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

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

Generics vs. brand-names

Normal saline (sodium chloride) for IV use is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version.

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.

If you have questions about the cost of normal saline for IV use, ask your doctor. The hospital or health system may have a financial representative who can discuss possible costs with you.

Common questions about normal saline for IV use and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about normal saline for IV use.

Is normal saline for IV use covered by Medicare?

It may be covered by Medicare. Normal saline for IV use is usually given by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic setting. For this reason, it may be covered under your medical plan instead of your drug plan. Ask your doctor or your plan administrator if you have questions about this.

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 patent and sell their drug for up to 20 years. 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. 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 normal saline for IV use

This article provides cost information related to normal saline for IV use. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupon information. However, coupons may not be available for medications that are only given by a healthcare professional.

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:

• Will my insurance cover the cost of normal saline for IV use?
• Are there other low cost medications that could be used for my condition?
• What options do I have if I can’t afford my medication?
• Is there a cost associated with being given normal saline for IV use?

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.