Does Medicare Cover Prednisone?

Christian Worstell | January 04, 2024

Prednisone, a steroid drug, is used to treat inflammation related to a variety of medical conditions. Learn more about Medicare coverage for prednisone.

Individuals suffering from inflammation related to arthritis, allergic reactions, multiple sclerosis and certain autoimmune disorders may be prescribed prednisone. According to GoodRx.com, 100% of Medicare prescription drug plans provide coverage for prednisone.

What is Prednisone Used For?

Prednisone is a corticosteroid that works by replenishing steroids normally produced by the body. It's prescribed for a range of conditions, including asthma and inflammatory diseases, with the goal of reducing inflammation and redness. This drug is available in tablet form or as an oral solution. It's important to take this medication exactly as prescribed.

Adults should be aware of common side effects associated with prednisone, which include headache, dizziness, mood changes, sleep disturbances and sweating.

Individuals experiencing any side effects of prednisone should speak with their prescriber. Severe side effects requiring immediate medical attention include but aren't limited to rash, hives, seizures and difficulty breathing.

How Much Does Prednisone Cost With Medicare?

Prednisone is a generic drug that's inexpensive to purchase without insurance. Prednisone is typically listed as a Tier 1 medication in most five-tier Medicare prescription drug plans, meaning it has the lowest cost share of comparable drugs.

The exact cost of prednisone depends on the specific prescription drug plan's rules and the current drug coverage level. Individuals who haven't met their annual deductible may be responsible for the full cost of the drug.

GoodRx.com reports the average cost of prednisone ranges from $0-$20 for a 30-day supply. Medicare beneficiaries may not have a cost share if they receive assistance with prescription drug costs, such as through Extra Help or Medicaid.

If prescribed prednisone for long-term use, beneficiaries may experience cost savings when using a mail-order service and filling a 90-day supply.

About the Author

Christian Worstell is a senior Medicare and health insurance writer with HelpAdivsor.com. He is also a licensed health insurance agent. Christian is well-known in the insurance industry for the thousands of educational articles he’s written, helping Americans better understand their health insurance and Medicare coverage.

Christian’s work as a Medicare expert has appeared in several top-tier and trade news outlets including Forbes, MarketWatch, WebMD and Yahoo! Finance.

While at HelpAdvisor, Christian has written hundreds of articles that teach Medicare beneficiaries the best practices for navigating Medicare. His articles are read by thousands of older Americans each month. By better understanding their health care coverage, readers may hopefully learn how to limit their out-of-pocket Medicare spending and access quality medical care.

Christian’s passion for his role stems from his desire to make a difference in the senior community. He strongly believes that the more beneficiaries know about their Medicare coverage, the better their overall health and wellness is as a result.

A current resident of Raleigh, Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. You can find Christian’s most recent articles in our blog.

If you’re a member of the media looking to connect with Christian, please don’t hesitate to email our public relations team at Mike@MyHelpAdvisor.com.