Westab Mini, Folbee, Airavite, Fabb, Folplex 2.2, Virt-gard, Westab One, Nufol, Folic Acid Vitamin B-6 Vitamin B-12

Introduction

Written by Malini Ghoshal, RPh, MS
Medically reviewed by Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA
Updated on January 10, 2024

Folbee is a brand-name combination vitamin that’s used as a nutritional supplement for certain nutritional deficiencies. It’s available in a generic version as a combination of folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6. The cost of Folbee with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon.

Folbee is available over the counter (OTC) as a medical food supplement to treat certain nutritional deficiencies from conditions such as long-standing kidney failure, dialysis, or other conditions that cause folic acid, vitamin B12, and B6 deficiencies. It is used under a doctor’s guidance. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) loosely regulates dietary supplements.

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

Cost of Folbee

The cost of Folbee can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

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

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

Coupons for Folbee

There may be coupons available that can help you save money by lowering the cost of Folbee. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your 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 Folbee

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

• A 3-month supply: If you’re taking Folbee long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the supplement. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the cost of Folbee. 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.

Brand-names vs. generics

Folbee is a brand-name combination vitamin. It’s available in a generic version as a combination of folic acid, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6.

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

If your doctor has recommended Folbee but you’re interested in taking a generic version instead, let them know. They may have a reason to prescribe one version over the other.

Common questions about Folbee and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Folbee.  

Is Folbee covered by Medicare?

Not usually, although it’s possible. Folbee is a combination vitamin supplement. Depending on your Medicare plan and benefits, the cost of Folbee may be covered by your plan. Talk with your plan provider to find out if this nutritional supplement is covered.

Keep in mind, your Medicare plan may have prior authorization requirements before it covers Folbee.

You can also talk with your doctor or pharmacist to find out whether your Medicare plan covers Folbee.

Why are costs different for brand-name products vs. generics?

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

Makers of brand-name products can sell them for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name product expires, other manufacturers can make and sell generic versions. A generic product is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name version. (The active ingredient is what makes the product work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic products lower. Also, generic products contain the same active ingredients as brand-name products. 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 products, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about Folbee

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

If you have more questions about paying for Folbee, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

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

• Does the cost of Folbee depend on my dosage?
• Are there other prescription options if I can’t afford OTC Folbee?
• Would the generic version of Folbee cost less?

Resources

• Folbee and folic acid (folic acid, B6, B12) tablets for oral use. (2010). bpirx.com/images/PhotoGallery/FolbeeFolbic%200519-2.pdf
• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm   

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.