Anastrozole is a generic prescription drug used to treat types of breast cancer. Anastrozole’s cost may depend on factors such as your treatment plan, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.
The price you pay for anastrozole can vary. To find out how much you’ll pay for this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or check out the section below to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.
To save money on your anastrozole prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.
Save on anastrozole with Optum Perks
Save on anastrozole without insurance.
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Dosage
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Simply show the Optum Perks coupon at your preferred pharmacy and instantly save without using insurance. The coupon doesn't expire so be sure to save it for use with refills.
Retail price refers to the manufacturer’s published list price and is up to date as of 3/2023. Retail and discounted prices are U.S.-only and can vary based on region and pharmacy. We cannot guarantee that the discounted price listed here will exactly match the price at your pharmacy. Please contact your pharmacy for the exact price.
Optum Perks and Healthline are subsidiaries of RVO Health.
Pricing source:Perks.optum.com
Anastrozole is a generic drug. A generic contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. A generic is considered just as safe and effective as the original drug but tends to cost less.
Anastrozole comes in a brand-name version called Arimidex. To find out how the costs of Arimidex and anastrozole compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
If you’ve been prescribed anastrozole and you’re interested in taking Arimidex instead, talk with your doctor. They may recommend that you take one version instead of the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one drug or the other.
Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug exclusively for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.
If you take anastrozole long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:
Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of anastrozole if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of the drug. If you’re interested in a 90-day supply of anastrozole, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for anastrozole. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.
If you need help covering the cost of anastrozole or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:
On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.
If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about anastrozole and cost.
What’s the cost of anastrozole with insurance vs. without insurance?
The cost of anastrozole with insurance versus without insurance can vary based on several factors.
Factors that may affect your cost of anastrozole without insurance include:
- your treatment plan
- the pharmacy you choose
- the quantity of anastrozole you receive (such as a 30-day or 90-day supply)
- savings programs you qualify and apply for
The same factors affect your cost of the drug if you’re paying through insurance. But your cost with insurance may also depend on:
- your particular plan benefits
- any prior authorization requirements for your plan
To learn more about your cost with and without insurance, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).
Whether you have insurance or not, you can visit Optum Perks* to get price estimates for anastrozole when you use coupons from the site. It’s important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
* Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline.
Does Medicare cover anastrozole?
It’s possible. To find out whether your Medicare plan covers the cost of anastrozole, call your plan provider. There are many types of Medicare plans, and your cost and coverage depend on your particular plan’s benefits.
Keep in mind that your plan may have prior authorization requirements before it will cover anastrozole. See the section below for more information.
You can also ask your doctor about the cost of anastrozole if you have Medicare.
If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover anastrozole. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss anastrozole in regard to your treatment.
Then your insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If anastrozole requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.
Be sure to ask your insurance company whether anastrozole requires prior authorization.
If you still have questions about the cost of anastrozole, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for anastrozole.
Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:
- How does the cost of anastrozole compare with that of tamoxifen?
- Does my cost for anastrozole depend on my treatment plan?
- Are there any savings programs available for anastrozole if I have Medicare?
To learn more about Arimidex, the brand-name version of anastrozole, see these articles:
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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.