FREE ONLINE ED ASSESSMENT. Start Here

Is Cialis Covered By Insurance?

Kristin Hall, FNP

Reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP

Written by Our Editorial Team

Published 03/02/2021

Updated 10/11/2023

Dealing with health insurance is like dealing with erectile dysfunction (ED): frustrating. 

If your healthcare provider recommended Cialis®, a prescription treatment for erectile dysfunction, you’re probably wondering if Cialis is covered by insurance.

Cialis is a brand-name drug, which can make it pretty costly. To get specific, it can cost upwards of $450 per month. If you’re saying, “Yikes,” you’re not alone. Many people simply can’t afford Cialis without health insurance.

The good news is that some — but not all — health insurance plans cover Cialis and other ED treatments.

The better news is that there are other, more affordable ways to access Cialis. If you don’t have insurance or if your insurance doesn’t cover Cialis, you can get the generic version — tadalafil — for as little as $23 to $30 for a 30-day supply.

So before you take your Cialis prescription to the pharmacy, let’s talk about insurance coverage, the cost of Cialis and some affordable alternatives. 

Does Insurance Cover Cialis (Tadalafil)?

In short, it depends on your insurance plan. While some policies cover Cialis, others don’t.

Cialis is a brand-name drug containing the active ingredient tadalafil. Depending on your prescribed Cialis dosage, it can be used prior to sexual activity or as a once-a-day pill. This is a prescription-only drug, meaning you can’t buy it over the counter. 

First approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2003, Cialis is a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor. PDE5 inhibitors work by improving blood flow to the penis, making it easier to get an erection. 

Cialis is perhaps best known as an erectile dysfunction treatment. However, it can also be used to treat other medical conditions, like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

Over 30 million U.S. men experience erectile dysfunction. The condition doesn’t just affect your sexual health — it can also impact your relationships, self-esteem and mental health.

That’s why it’s crucial for people to be able to access ED medication. If your erectile function is bothering you, it’s worth prioritizing your treatment.

Not all health insurance plans recognize the importance of treating ED. Certain plans may cover Cialis, in which case access it while only paying a small copay. However, most insurance companies only pay for Cialis under very specific circumstances.  

It’s a good idea to get a hold of your plan’s policy and check your prescription drug coverage. If you don’t have a hard copy of your benefits document, you can probably find the policy on your insurance’s website. Look for the “formulary,” which lists the drugs covered under each plan.

We also recommend calling your insurance company directly to ask. Though calling them might sound like a schlep, it’s worth getting some clarity on your coverage and benefits.

Many insurance plans only cover Cialis in specific situations. For instance, the medication might only be covered if:

  • You’re using Cialis for BPH (as opposed to erectile dysfunction) 

  • Other ED treatments haven’t worked for you

  • Your healthcare provider writes a motivational letter (what’s known as prior authorization) on your behalf

Certain insurance companies only cover generic drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. This could include tadalafil (generic Cialis).

Does Medicaid or Medicare cover Cialis and other ED treatments? Typically, no.

Medicare coverage doesn’t include Cialis, as it doesn’t consider erectile dysfunction drugs medically necessary (Which is unfortunate, because sexual health can be a vital part of your overall health!).

However, certain Medicare drug coverage plans — like Medicare Part D or Advantage Plan — may cover tadalafil if it’s prescribed for other health issues (like BPH or cardiovascular conditions) and not for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Viagra online

Genuine Viagra® makes it possible

How to Get Cialis Without Insurance Coverage

So, your health insurance isn’t covering your Cialis prescription, and in this economy, you can’t afford to spend the extra $450 (or more) a month. Yep, that’s how much Cialis costs out of pocket.

You want to break the bed here — not the bank. 

Fortunately, there are some cost-effective alternatives.

You could try tadalafil, the generic version of Cialis. There’s little difference between Cialis and tadalafil — while Cialis is the brand name version, it’s not necessarily superior to tadalafil.

The cost of tadalafil is way lower than Cialis. You can buy a month’s supply for $23 – $35, depending on the tadalafil dosage prescribed to you.

ED treatments, delivered

Generic for Viagra (sildenafil)

The more affordable FDA-approved medication that treats Erectile Dysfunction at a quarter of the cost. 🙌

Generic for Cialis (tadalafil)

Affordable and helps get the job done. Generic Cialis helps you get and maintain your erections through a simple, daily dosage.

Viagra®

The OG Little Blue Pill that made its name as the first prescription Erectile Dysfunction treatment.

Cialis®

Cialis helps you get and keep stronger erections with a daily or as-needed pill.


If your insurance doesn’t cover Cialis, it may cover other erectile dysfunction treatments, like:

  • Viagra®, another brand-name erectile dysfunction drug

  • Sildenafil, also called generic Viagra

  • Stendra® (avanafil), an ED treatment that can work in as little as 15 minutes

  • Revatio®, a medication FDA-approved for pulmonary arterial hypertension that can also be used off-label in its generic form (sildenafil citrate) to treat erectile dysfunction

  • Our hard mints, which are chewable ED meds that contain Cialis

These are all prescription medications. As with all drugs, PDE5 inhibitors may have certain side effects and risks, so it’s important to seek medical advice before using them.

Certain lifestyle changes can also help prevent and reduce erectile dysfunction. This may include:

  • Getting enough good-quality sleep

  • Eating a balanced, nutrient-dense diet

  • Avoiding cigarettes and alcohol

  • Getting regular exercise

  • Communicating openly with your partner

  • Reducing stress wherever possible

  • Speaking with a therapist

If Cialis is your only option, you can try the Lilly Cares® Foundation, a patient assistance program run by Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Cialis.

Sildenafil citrate

Get hard for 95% cheaper than Viagra

The Bottom Line on Cialis and Insurance Coverage

Some health insurance plans cover Cialis — but not all of them do. It depends on the insurance you use and the specific benefits of your plan.

Here’s what to keep in mind:

  • Call your insurance provider. It’s a good idea to peek at your policy documents to find out whether your insurance will cover ED treatments — but it’s best to phone your insurance directly.

  • There’s an affordable generic version of Cialis. Tadalafil is pretty much the same thing as Cialis — just much cheaper. Your insurance might cover tadalafil, or you could pay as little as $23 per month out of pocket with an online prescription.

  • Consider other erectile dysfunction treatments. Your health insurance might not cover Cialis but instead cover other prescription ED treatments, like Viagra, sildenafil or Stendra (brand-name avanafil).  

If you have erectile dysfunction, it can be helpful to learn more about your treatment options. Check out these natural tips for treating ED and our guide to the most common erectile dysfunction treatments.

Ready to take the next step? We can connect you with a licensed healthcare professional online. Book an appointment today to explore your treatment options.

11 Sources

Hims & Hers has strict sourcing guidelines to ensure our content is accurate and current. We rely on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We strive to use primary sources and refrain from using tertiary references.

  1. Dhaliwal A, Gupta M. (2023 April 10). PDE5 Inhibitors. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549843/
  2. Generic Drugs: Questions & Answers | FDA https://www.fda.gov/drugs/frequently-asked-questions-popular-topics/generic-drugs-questions-answers
  3. Sooriyamoorthy T, Leslie SW. (2023 May 30). Erectile Dysfunction. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562253/
  4. Definition & Facts for Erectile Dysfunction - NIDDK. (2017, July). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/erectile-dysfunction/definition-facts
  5. Cialis (tadalafil). (2018). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2018/021368s030lbl.pdf
  6. Revatio. (sildenafil). (2014). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2014/021845s011,022473s004,0203109s002lbl.pdf
  7. Drug coverage (Part D). (n.d.). Medicare. https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d
  8. Questions and Answers for Cialis (tadalafil). (2015). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/questions-and-answers-cialis-tadalafil
  9. Kaiser Permanente. (n.d.) Criteria for drug coverage: Tadalafil(Cialis). Retrieved from https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/static/health/pdfs/formulary/nw/Cialis.pdf
  10. BlueCross BlueShield of North Carolina. (2018) Cialis. Retrieved from https://www.bluecrossnc.com/sites/default/files/document/attachment/services/public/pdfs/formulary/cialis_um_criteria.pdf
  11. Eli Lilly and Company. (n.d.) Lilly Cares Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.lillycares.com/

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.

Kristin Hall, FNP
Kristin Hall, FNP

Kristin Hall is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner with decades of experience in clinical practice and leadership. 

She has an extensive background in Family Medicine as both a front-line healthcare provider and clinical leader through her work as a primary care provider, retail health clinician and as Principal Investigator with the NIH

Certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center, she brings her expertise in Family Medicine into your home by helping people improve their health and actively participate in their own healthcare. 

Kristin is a St. Louis native and earned her master’s degree in Nursing from St. Louis University, and is also a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. You can find Kristin on LinkedIn for more information.

Read more