Medicare can help cover the cost of your Adderall prescription or a generic version. You can get coverage using a Medicare Part D or a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan.
Adderall is a commonly prescribed medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. While many people associate both ADHD and Adderall with children and young adults, it’s common for doctors to prescribe Adderall to seniors as well.
Medicare offers coverage for Adderall in most Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. Your cost for Adderall using Medicare will depend on your specific plan. However, you’ll often be able to purchase the generic form of Adderall, amphetamine salt combo, at a lower cost using Medicare.
Important Adderall information
- Adderall is a controlled substance.
- Adderall can be habit-forming.
- Never mix Adderall with alcohol. Mixing Adderall and alcohol can lead to alcohol poising, heart conditions, impaired judgment and more.
- Adderall can make it difficult to sleep if you take it too late in the day.
You can get coverage for your Adderall prescription through Medicare. Coverage depends on your specific plan, but most Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans cover Adderall.
Depending on your plan, you may only have coverage for the generic version, amphetamine salt combo.
Your coverage for Adderall depends on which part of Medicare you’re using.
Original Medicare
Parts A and B are called “Original Medicare” and don’t include prescription coverage. Medicare Part A provides hospital coverage, and Medicare Part B provides outpatient medical coverage. You can use Original Medicare for things like:
- hospital stays
- emergency room visits
- doctor visits
- medical equipment
However, you can’t get coverage for any medication, including Adderall, using original Medicare.
Original Medicare will only pay for Adderall if you receive it while being cared for at a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
Medicare Part A would cover your Adderall during your stay in these facilities; however, once you are discharged, Medicare Part A no longer covers this cost.
This means that you’ll need to go beyond Original Medicare if you want Medicare to cover the cost of your Adderall prescription.
Medicare Part C
Medicare Part C, also called Medicare Advantage, is a type of health insurance plan offered by private companies and regulated by Medicare.
Plans must offer the same coverage as Original Medicare, but most provide additional coverage, including prescription options.
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D provides stand-alone prescription coverage. You can use a Part D plan in addition to an Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage plan to get coverage for any prescriptions you take.
Both Advantage plans and Part D plans need to be purchased separately. The exact plans available to you depend on where you live since many plans are only offered in certain states or regions.
Your plan will have associated costs, such as monthly premiums, deductibles, and copayments. The Medicare website’s plan finder tool allows you to compare the Advantage and Part D plans in your area.
Medicare supplement (Medigap)
Medicare supplement plans, also called Medigap plans, help cover the out-of-pocket costs of Original Medicare. When you have a Medigap plan, you’ll have coverage for costs like:
- deductibles
- coinsurance payments
- copayments
However, Medigap plans don’t provide additional prescription coverage. You’ll still need a Part D or Advantage plan to get coverage for Adderall.
A formulary is a list of prescription drugs that a particular insurance plan covers. It is included in all Part D and Advantage plans that include prescription coverage.
The formulary will list which prescriptions are covered and what your cost for them will be. Many formularies include the generic form of a prescription but not the brand name. Other formularies might specify the number of times they’ll cover certain medications in a year.
Before you sign up for a plan, you can check to ensure the formulary includes all your prescriptions.
One of the best ways to do this is by entering your prescriptions into the Medicare website’s plan finder tool while shopping for plans. The tool will then match you with plans that include your prescriptions on their formulary. You’ll also be able to see your out-of-pocket costs.
Your cost for Adderall will depend on your plan, pharmacy, dose, and specific prescription. Some example prices are below.
| Medicare options | Adderall cost |
|---|---|
| Adderall without Medicare | around $650 to $788.00 for a 30-day supply |
| Adderall with Medicare | between $1 and $30 for a 30-day supply, depending on your plan |
| Generic amphetamine salt combo without Medicare | around $16 to $30 for a 30-day supply |
| Generic amphetamine salt combo with Medicare | between $1 and $30 for a 30-day supply depending on your plan |
As you can see from the prices above, one of the biggest differences you can make in your costs for Adderall is taking the generic option, amphetamine salt combo.
Your pharmacist can often make this switch for you after talking with your doctor. If you’re worried about the cost, you can also ask your doctor about switching to the generic.
Keep in mind that your out-of-pocket costs with Medicare depend on your plan. In some cases, your copayment might be higher than the cash price using a coupon. It’s a good idea to know your cost using your plan and then look for coupons from pharmacies in your area to compare prices. Keep in mind that the U.S. Anti-Kickback Statute makes it illegal for individuals enrolled in Medicare to use manufacturer coupons or other drug discounts with their drug plan.
Adderall is a stimulant medication commonly prescribed to treat both ADHD and narcolepsy. Adderall is a combination of amphetamine and dextroamphetamine.
It works by stimulating your central nervous system and raising the level of hormones norepinephrine and dopamine in your brain. This improves concentration, memory, organization, and other brain functions in many people.
Adderall is a brand name. The generic version, amphetamine salt combo, has the same effects and is prescribed for the same reasons.
The dose you take depends on how you respond to Adderall. Your doctor might start you on one dose and then increase or decrease it after a few months. It’s important to tell your doctor what improvements you see and let them know if you’re having any side effects.
Adderall is a controlled substance that
You’ll need a prescription to take it, and your doctor will probably want to evaluate it regularly to ensure it’s still the best choice for you.
Your doctor might prescribe an alternative if Adderall isn’t working for you. Other prescription stimulants may include:
- methylphenidate (Aptensio, Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate ER, Methylin, Ritalin, Quillivant)
- dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine, ProCentra)
- amphetamine (Dyanavel XR, Evekeo)
- lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse)
Sometimes, stimulants might not be the choice for your ADHD or narcolepsy. A doctor may try a different approach to help you manage symptoms.
Nonstimulant medications work with your nervous system differently and often have fewer side effects than stimulants. It’s always important to talk with your doctor about how your prescription makes you feel so they can make changes if needed.
Medicare can help cover the cost of your Adderall prescription. You’ll need either a Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan for coverage.
To get coverage, your plan’s formulary must include Adderall. Your plan may only cover the generic form, amphetamine salt combo.
Your costs will depend on your specific plan. You might also be able to use pharmacy coupons to lower your price.