Velivet

Introduction

Written by Jen Seabright, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Christina Bookwalter, PharmD, MS MEd, BCPS, BCACP
Updated on March 1, 2024

Velivet is a branded-generic medication* that’s prescribed for prevention of pregnancy. The cost of Velivet with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

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

* Branded-generic drugs are generic medications given a trade name by the drugmaker.

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Cost of Velivet

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

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the quantity prescribed

To find out how much Velivet costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for Velivet” section.

Coupons for Velivet

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

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 Velivet

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 Velivet. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Velivet. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin taking it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re taking Velivet long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.
• 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 pay for your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. 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. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Generics vs. brand-names

Velivet is a branded-generic medication. Usually, generic drugs are referred to by the name of their active ingredients. But branded-generic drugs are given a trade name by the drugmaker.

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.

Common questions about Velivet and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Velivet. 

How does the cost of Velivet compare with the cost of other birth control pills?

What you’d pay for Velivet versus other birth control pills depends on several factors, including:

• the quantity your doctor prescribes (such as 30-day supply or 90-day supply)
• whether you’re using insurance or paying out of pocket
• whether there are any discount programs available for Velivet

To learn more about the cost of Velivet compared with other forms of birth control, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or 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 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 Velivet

This article provides cost information related to Velivet. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription. Above on this page, you’ll find coupons for Velivet.

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 the quantity of medication my doctor prescribes affect the cost?
• Are there any low cost birth control options available?
• What options do I have if I can’t afford my medication?

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
• Velivet (desogestrel and ethinyl estradiol tablets USP – triphasic regimen). (2022). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/e7f11ebb-365e-4a31-bf36-6e924251a530/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.