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Get generic for Cialis shipped right to your door
Dealing with health insurance is like dealing with erectile dysfunction (ED): frustrating.
If your healthcare provider recommended Cialis®, a popular prescription drug for ED, you may have done a quick Google search to find some retailers selling the medication for upwards of $300 a month. Yikes.
Is Cialis covered by insurance?
It depends on your plan. While some policies cover Cialis, others don’t. But there are ways to get around the cost, whether you have insurance or not. One way is opting for generic Cialis (tadalafil) instead of the brand-name drug. A 30-day supply costs a little over $30.
So then, is tadalafil covered by insurance? Again, it depends.
Before you take your Cialis prescription to the pharmacy, let’s talk about insurance coverage, the cost of Cialis, and some affordable alternatives to this popular ED medication.
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Cialis isn’t covered by most health insurance plans or by Medicare. But you might be able to get coupons from the manufacturer or your pharmacy to lower the cost. Buying the generic version of Cialis, tadalafil, is another good way to save money if you don’t have insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover Cialis.
Some insurance companies only cover drug costs for generic drugs when treating erectile dysfunction. This could include tadalafil (generic Cialis).
Tadalafil works by improving blood flow to the penis, making it easier to get an erection. Both Cialis and tadalafil can be taken prior to sexual activity or as a once-a-day pill.
The cost of Cialis varies depending on how you take it (daily or as needed) and the dosage.
For instance, the $300-per-month price mentioned above is for 30 brand-name Cialis tablets at a 5-milligram dose to be taken daily.
On the other hand, if you have an as-needed prescription of generic tadalafil at a 2.5-milligram dose, your one-month supply may include only 10 tablets. In that case, you might only pay around $10.
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.
However, not all health insurance plans recognize the importance of treating ED. Certain policies may cover Cialis, in which case you can access it while only paying a small copay. But most insurance companies only pay for Cialis under very specific circumstances.
The medication might only be covered if:
You’re using Cialis to treat other medical conditions. These include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), high blood pressure, or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).
Other ED treatments didn’t work. Your insurance provider may cover Cialis if you’ve tried other ED treatments that haven’t worked for you.
Your healthcare provider writes a motivational letter. Your provider might write a prior authorization request on your behalf.
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.
It’s a good idea to review 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 drugs covered under each plan.
We also recommend calling your insurance company directly to see if Cialis is covered by insurance. Though calling them might sound like a hassle, it’s worth getting some clarity on your coverage and benefits.
Medicare coverage doesn’t include brand-name Cialis, and neither does Medicaid. Although sexual health can be a vital part of overall health, erectile dysfunction drugs aren’t deemed medically necessary, according to their guidelines.
That said, certain Medicare prescription drug 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.
So, your health insurance isn’t covering your Cialis prescription, and in this economy, you can’t afford to spend the extra $300 (or more) a month.
Remember, that’s how much Cialis costs out of pocket, and the price varies according to your dosage and whether you take it daily or as needed.
Still, you want to break the bed here — not the bank.
Fortunately, there are some cost-effective alternatives.
As mentioned before, generic tadalafil is the more cost-efficient option, especially when using a lower dosage. Also, a Cialis prescription from your healthcare provider can be filled with the generic version at the pharmacy — meaning your prescription doesn’t need to specify that it’s generic.
And there’s little difference between Cialis and tadalafil. While Cialis is the brand-name version, it’s not necessarily superior to generic tadalafil.
If your insurance doesn’t cover Cialis, it might 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 (PAH) that can also be used off-label in its generic form (sildenafil citrate) to treat ED
Hard mints chewable ED meds containing a personalized dosage of sildenafil or tadalafil
Vardenafil chews (a chewable version of generic Levitra®)
These are all prescription medications. As with all drugs, PDE5 inhibitors may have certain side effects and risks, so definitely 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 financial assistance program run by Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Cialis.
Some health insurance plans cover Cialis — but not all of them do. It depends on the insurance provider and the specific benefits of your policy.
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 $30 per month out of pocket with a prescription from an online pharmacy.
Consider other erectile dysfunction treatments. Your health insurance might not cover Cialis but instead cover other prescription ED treatments, like sildenafil, avanafil, or vardenafil.
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. Do a quick virtual consultation today to explore your treatment options.
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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.
Dr. Kelly Brown is a board certified Urologist and fellowship trained in Andrology. She is an accomplished men’s health expert with a robust background in healthcare innovation, clinical medicine, and academic research. Dr. Brown was previously Medical Director of a male fertility startup where she lead strategy and design of their digital health platform, an innovative education and telehealth model for delivering expert male fertility care.
She completed her undergraduate studies at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (go Heels!) with a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Science and a Minor in Chemistry. She took a position at University of California Los Angeles as a radiologic technologist in the department of Interventional Cardiology, further solidifying her passion for medicine. She also pursued the unique opportunity to lead departmental design and operational development at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, sparking her passion for the business of healthcare.
Dr. Brown then went on to obtain her doctorate in medicine from the prestigious Northwestern University - Feinberg School of Medicine and Masters in Business Administration from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management, with a concentration in Healthcare Management. During her surgical residency in Urology at University of California San Francisco, she utilized her research year to focus on innovations in telemedicine and then served as chief resident with significant contributions to clinical quality improvement. Dr. Brown then completed her Andrology Fellowship at Medical College of Wisconsin, furthering her expertise in male fertility, microsurgery, and sexual function.
Her dedication to caring for patients with compassion, understanding, as well as a unique ability to make guys instantly comfortable discussing anything from sex to sperm makes her a renowned clinician. In addition, her passion for innovation in healthcare combined with her business acumen makes her a formidable leader in the field of men’s health.
Dr. Brown is an avid adventurer; summiting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (twice!) and hiking the incredible Torres del Paine Trek in Patagonia, Chile. She deeply appreciates new challenges and diverse cultures on her travels. She lives in Denver with her husband, two children, and beloved Bernese Mountain Dog. You can find Dr. Brown on LinkedIn for more information.
Education & Training
Andrology Fellowship, Medical College of Wisconsin
Urology Residency, University of California San Francisco
M.D. Northwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineB.S. in Radiologic Science, Chemistry Minor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Published as Kelly Walker
Cowan, B, Walker, K., Rodgers, K., Agyemang, J. (2023). Hormonal Management Improves Semen Analysis Parameters in Men with Abnormal Concentration, Motility, and/or Morphology. Fertility and Sterility, Volume 118, Issue 5, e4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/fertility-and-sterility/vol/120/issue/1/suppl/S
Walker, K., Gogoj, A., Honig, S., Sandlow, J. (2021). What’s New in Male Contraception? AUA Update Series, Volume 40. https://auau.auanet.org/content/update-series-2021-lesson-27-what%E2%80%99s-new-male-contraception
Walker, K., Shindel, A. (2019). AUA Erectile Dysfunction Guideline. AUA Update Series, Volume 38. https://auau.auanet.org/content/course-307
Walker, K., Ramstein, J., & Smith, J. (2019). Regret Regarding Fertility Preservation Decisions Among Male Cancer Patients. The Journal of Urology, 201(Supplement 4), e680-e681. https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/01.JU.0000556300.18991.8e
Walker, K., & Smith, J. (2019). Feasibility Study of Video Telehealth Clinic Visits in Urology. The Journal of Urology, 201(Supplement 4), e545-e545. https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1097/01.JU.0000556071.60611.37