Haris Ashley
Keppra (levetiracetam) is an oral medication used to treat focal seizures, myoclonic seizures, and tonic-clonic seizures in adults and children with epilepsy. The cost of Keppra with and without insurance depends on several factors, including the quantity prescribed, the form of the drug, and the insurance plan. Typically, brand-name Keppra is not covered by health insurance plans due to its high cost, exceeding $8,000 annually, while its lower-priced generic version, levetiracetam, is commonly covered. However, the availability and extent of coverage vary across insurance providers and plans, with some Medicare plans providing full coverage for both brand-name Keppra and its generic alternative.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Annual cost without insurance | $8,000 |
| Annual cost with insurance | Varies depending on the insurance plan, location, and pharmacy used |
| Cost-saving alternatives | Using a SingleCare prescription discount card, switching to generic levetiracetam, using Optum Perks coupons, prescription drug discount plans, Medicare drug plans, Medicaid, Tricare, VA, or Medicare Low Income Subsidy |
| Factors affecting cost | Quantity prescribed, form of the drug, insurance plan, location, and pharmacy used |
| Medicare coverage | Many Part D and Medicare Advantage plans cover Keppra or its generic version. Some plans may require meeting a deductible before coverage begins. |
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What You'll Learn
Cost of Keppra without insurance
Keppra is a brand-name prescription anticonvulsant drug used to treat partial or generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults and some children. It is also used to treat children with myoclonic seizures. The drug is FDA-approved and is available in four dosage forms: immediate-release and extended-release oral tablets, oral solution, and injection.
The cost of Keppra without insurance can vary depending on several factors, including the quantity prescribed and the form of the drug. The retail price of Keppra is around $682 for a 30-day supply of 60, 500 mg tablets, which amounts to over $8,000 per year. However, the price per tablet can be as high as $12, bringing the monthly cost to $703 or $700 for a 30-day supply.
There are ways to reduce the cost of Keppra without insurance. One option is to switch to the generic version of the drug, levetiracetam, which is significantly cheaper and can be as low as $7.02 per tablet or $7 for a 30-day supply using a SingleCare prescription discount card or a GoodRx coupon. Additionally, patients may be able to get a 90-day supply of Keppra, which could reduce the total cost and the number of trips to the pharmacy.
It is important to note that the cost of Keppra with and without insurance can depend on various factors, and it is recommended to talk to a doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider to understand the specific costs and explore savings options, such as manufacturer coupons or patient assistance programs.
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Cost of generic levetiracetam
Keppra is a brand-name prescription anticonvulsant. The generic version is levetiracetam. Both are FDA-approved to treat partial or generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults and some children. They are also used to treat children with myoclonic seizures. Keppra is available in four dosage forms: immediate-release and extended-release oral tablets, oral solution, and an injection. Generic Keppra is available in all four forms as well.
The annual cost of Keppra without insurance can exceed $8,000, while the generic version, levetiracetam, costs $703 without insurance. Switching to generic levetiracetam can reduce this expense drastically. Savings on levetiracetam prescriptions for uninsured patients can be achieved using a SingleCare prescription discount card, potentially lowering costs to $10 or less monthly. A 30-day supply of generic levetiracetam tablets will cost $140 on average. A 60-day supply of generic levetiracetam extended-release tablets—60, 500 mg tablets—costs $180 on average. This brings the annual cost of generic levetiracetam treatment to somewhere between $1,100 and $1,600.
Generic levetiracetam is commonly covered by health insurance plans, Medicare drug plans, Medicaid, Tricare, and the VA. Copay costs for the generic version should be low because insurance companies typically place levetiracetam in their lowest copay tiers. However, the final out-of-pocket costs may be affected by co-insurance, deductibles, or coverage gaps.
Prescription drug prices often change. Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions, leading to lower costs for generics. If you take Keppra long-term, you may be able to lower its cost by getting a 90-day supply of the drug, which could reduce your trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. You may also be able to save money by switching to a higher dosage pill and splitting it.
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Medicare coverage
Keppra (Levetiracetam) is a moderately priced drug used with other medications to treat certain types of seizures. It is available in brand and generic versions. Medicare Part D plans provide prescription drug coverage for Medicare enrollees. Part D plans are offered by private insurance companies, not the federal government. Medicare prescription drug coverage is typically offered through the following types of Medicare plans: Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans that include prescription drug coverage, called Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) plans, and Standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans (PDP).
Medicare Part D prescription drug plans don't pay for everything. If you have a Part D plan, you may have to pay premiums and other out-of-pocket costs like deductibles and copayments. Many Part D and Medicare Advantage plans completely cover Keppra or its generic, and beneficiaries won't have to pay anything for this medication. However, some plans may require you to meet a deductible before coverage kicks in. Some plans require a co-pay ranging from $1 to around $100, depending on what type of medication you need. The co-pay for extended-release Keppra tends to be higher than that for generic levetiracetam.
Generic levetiracetam is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons or cash prices may be lower. Switching to generic levetiracetam and using a SingleCare prescription discount card will reduce the monthly cost of Keppra treatment to $10 or less. You can also save on your Keppra prescription, which may be expensive, by using a SingleCare savings card or free Keppra coupon, reducing your out-of-pocket cost to $6.46 for 60, 500mg tablets of generic Keppra.
You can make changes to your current Part D plan, switch plans, or drop your prescription drug coverage entirely during the annual fall Medicare Open Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Also called the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) or the Annual Election Period, this period takes place every year between October 15 and December 7. If you make changes during this time, your new coverage will begin on January 1 of the following year. A Special Enrollment Period (SEP) may be granted for people who have specific qualifying circumstances.
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Optum Perks coupons
Optum Perks is a free service that provides prescription coupons and discount cards to help users save on prescription drugs. Anyone can use Optum Perks, regardless of whether they have insurance or not. The Optum Perks card can be used to obtain discounts on thousands of FDA-approved prescription drugs, including blood pressure medications and cold and flu drugs. The service is not a form of insurance and does not have any restrictions or requirements.
To use Optum Perks, users can download the app or access the website to look up their prescribed drugs and find available discounts. They can then either show the discount coupon or present the discount card to their pharmacist to obtain the discounted price on their prescriptions. Optum Perks negotiates bulk pricing with retail pharmacies and passes the savings directly to the user, allowing them to save up to 80% on prescription drugs.
It is important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used in conjunction with insurance benefits or copays. However, Optum Perks can provide price estimates for drugs when using coupons from their site. Additionally, Optum Perks offers prescription delivery and 24/7 online care services.
Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health and is a sister site of Medical News Today. It is also affiliated with UnitedHealthcare, and users who provide their email address to access the Optum Perks prescription discount card will receive email advertisements for products available through UnitedHealthcare.
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Savings programs
Keppra is a premium-priced brand-name anticonvulsant. The annual cost of Keppra without insurance can exceed $8,000, while the generic version, levetiracetam, is commonly covered by health insurance plans, Medicare drug plans, Medicaid, Tricare, and the VA.
If you are struggling to afford Keppra, there are several savings programs that can help lower the cost of your prescription.
SingleCare Prescription Discount Card
SingleCare offers a prescription discount card that can be used to obtain savings on levetiracetam prescriptions. This card can potentially lower the cost of generic Keppra to $10 or less monthly.
NowPatient
NowPatient provides free access to drug coupons, savings cards, patient assistance programs, and other out-of-pocket discount programs. They offer four drug savings programs that can help lower the cost of Keppra, with the potential to pay as little as $0 per fill.
Rx Outreach
Rx Outreach offers certain medications for a fee of $20 for up to a 180-day supply. Keppra XR (levetiracetam) is one of the applicable drugs.
Optum Perks
Optum Perks offers coupons that can be used to obtain discounts on Keppra. However, these coupons cannot be used with insurance benefits or copays.
Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs)
Patient Assistance Programs are typically sponsored by pharmaceutical companies and offer cost-free or discounted medicines to individuals with low incomes or those who are uninsured.
Medicaid
If you are insured with Medicare and Keppra remains unaffordable, you can check your eligibility for Medicaid. State Medicaid programs may cover the full cost of your medication.
Low-Income Subsidy
If you are denied Medicaid and are still unable to afford your copay or co-insurance, you may be eligible for a federal support program like Low-Income Subsidy. To be eligible, you need to be a resident of one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia.
Savings Card
Some users have reported receiving a savings card from their doctor or nurse that offers discounts on Keppra XR. This card can provide additional savings on out-of-pocket costs.
It is important to note that the availability and applicability of these programs may vary based on individual circumstances. Be sure to carefully review the eligibility requirements and terms of each program before enrolling.
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Frequently asked questions
The annual cost of Keppra without insurance can exceed $8,000. A 30-day supply of Keppra tablets costs over $700 for 60, 500mg tablets.
The cost of Keppra with insurance depends on several factors, including the type of insurance plan, location, and pharmacy used. Typically, insurance companies place Keppra in their high-cost copay tiers.
Savings on Keppra prescriptions can be achieved by switching to the generic version, levetiracetam, which is commonly covered by insurance plans and has lower copay costs. Using a SingleCare prescription discount card can also reduce the monthly cost of Keppra treatment to $10 or less.
Many Part D and Medicare Advantage plans completely cover Keppra or its generic version, levetiracetam. However, some plans may require you to meet a deductible before coverage kicks in.
