How to Get ADHD Medication Without Insurance

Recently, nationwide shortages of Adderall, a commonly prescribed ADHD medication, have led to a doubling or tripling of Adderall prices as well as other ADHD medications such as Ritalin (methylphenidate), Concerta (methylphenidate), and Focalin (dexmethylphenidate).

If you have an attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis and take prescription medication to treat your ADHD symptoms, you may find it difficult to afford your medications, especially if you are uninsured. Please keep reading for some helpful tips on how to get medications for treating ADHD if you don’t have insurance.

What to do if you can't afford Adderall?

If you are having trouble affording your ADHD treatment, here are some tips that may help:

Talk to your healthcare provider about switching from a brand name to a generic ADHD medication. Generics contain the same active ingredient as brand-name medications and are as effective and safe as their brand-name drugs, but can be up to 85% cheaper than their brand-name counterparts. Check out “Generic vs Brand Name Drugs: What’s the Difference?”
If you don’t have insurance coverage or don’t have prescription drug coverage under your health plan, use the free BuzzRx card to save up to 80% on your prescriptions. Learn how prescription savings cards work.
If you have prescription drug coverage under your health plan, reach out to your insurance company to obtain up-to-date coverage information for ADHD medications. Ask the pharmacist who processes your prescription at your local pharmacy to compare the price you’ll pay for your ADHD medication with insurance and the price you’ll pay with a BuzzRx discount card. Sometimes, the cost of ADHD treatment is lower with BuzzRx prescription discount cards, even for insured patients, due to high copays.
If you are having trouble affording a particular ADHD medication, talk to your doctor about other options. Treatment with one ADHD medication may be less expensive than another medication.
Check if the drug manufacturer has any patient assistance programs or financial assistance programs for brand-name ADHD medications.
Some pharmacies offer ADHD medications and other medications at lower prices for a monthly membership. This can work out well for medications you take regularly, such as ADHD medicines.

Getting medical care and taking the prescribed medications for ADHD is important. Without treatment, the symptoms of ADHD can worsen, leading to learning disabilities in children, low self-esteem in adults, poor quality of life, and other disorders like anxiety and depression.

Was your child diagnosed with ADHD? Check out our blog, “My Child Was Diagnosed with ADHD, Now What?”

Can you treat ADHD without medications?

Many patients are able to treat ADHD without medications. Healthcare providers recommend talk therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), for both adults and children as part of a comprehensive approach to ADHD care. Many doctors report that a treatment plan that includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy is the most effective ADHD treatment. Medication helps people with ADHD focus, concentrate, complete tasks, and treat other common symptoms. Therapy and other programs help build coping skills in people with this medical condition so that they can better handle the effects of ADHD on daily life.

What medications are used for ADHD treatment?

There are several medications used to treat ADHD. These medications work by affecting dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine levels in the central nervous system. They help to improve attention span and reduce hyperactivity and impulsiveness. There are two main ADHD treatment options: stimulant and non-stimulant medications.

Stimulant medications used to treat symptoms of ADHD include:

Amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall, Adderall XR)
Amphetamine (Dexedrine, Evekeo)
Lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse: Learn what drugs to never combine with Vyvanse)
Methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin, Quillivant XR)
Dexmethylphenidate (Focalin XR)
Serdexmethylphenidate/dexmethylphenidate (Azstarys)

Curious about which stimulant is right for you? Compare Ritalin vs Adderall, as well as Adderall vs. Vyvanse.

Non-stimulant ADHD medications include:

Atomoxetine (Strattera: Learn about the pros and cons of Strattera)
Viloxazine (Qelbree)
Clonidine (Kapvay)
Guanfacine (Intuniv)
Bupropion (Wellbutrin: learn the pros and cons of Wellbutrin for ADHD)

Learn more about stimulants vs non-stimulants for ADHD by checking out our blog on Strattera vs Adderall.

How much do ADHD medications cost out of pocket?

A commonly prescribed ADHD medication, Adderall, costs approximately $11 per tablet without insurance. This means if you take a 20-mg tablet every day, it will cost you $330 a month for the brand name Adderall. Fortunately, generic drugs are more affordable than their brand-name counterparts. Generic Adderall costs under $18 for a one-month supply of the 20-mg dose.

Similarly, other ADHD medications can also cost hundreds of dollars a month out-of-pocket if you don’t have insurance or don’t have prescription drug coverage under your health insurance plan. The cash price of ADHD medication depends on various factors such as the version (brand name vs generic), formulation (immediate-release vs extended-release), and dosage.

Generally speaking, the generic versions of ADHD medications are usually covered by private insurance plans and Medicare prescription plans. However, brand-name ADHD medications may not be covered or may be covered with a higher copay. Some insurance companies cover ADHD medication on a case-by-case basis. They require your healthcare provider to obtain prior authorization before they prescribe medication for ADHD. Your doctor may, therefore, need to provide additional information explaining why the medication is necessary before your insurance company will agree to pay for your ADHD medication. Learn about Drug Price Transparency.

Struggling to afford your medication even with insurance? Here are some options to know.

Can I get ADHD meds without a diagnosis?

You cannot get ADHD medications without a diagnosis. Drugs used to treat ADHD are prescription medications requiring a doctor’s order. ADHD drugs are not available over-the-counter (OTC).

Moreover, stimulants are considered Schedule II controlled substances because they have a high potential for misuse or abuse and can lead to psychological and physical dependence. Some states in the U.S. restrict the quantity of stimulant medications that you can receive at one time. Therefore, you may not be able to get more than a 30-day supply of your ADHD medication at a time. Refills may only be provided at follow-up appointments.

Your primary care doctor may refer you to licensed psychiatrists or neurologists to make an accurate diagnosis of ADHD. These specialists will prescribe medication treatment for ADHD after obtaining a thorough medical history at the initial appointment. An ADHD diagnosis is made in both children and adults who meet certain criteria for an ADHD diagnosis, such as difficulty paying attention, problems with impulse control, and other symptoms.

Can I get ADHD meds online?

You can get medications used to treat ADHD online, perhaps even at a discount. However, it’s important to purchase your ADHD medication from a licensed mail-order pharmacy.

There is a difference between mail-order pharmacies and online pharmacies. Both offer the convenience of shipping medications directly to your home. However, mail-order pharmacies operate through your health plan and require you to have a prescription from a healthcare provider and prescription drug coverage. Online pharmacies, on the other hand, are simply online drugstores that may or may not accept your insurance.

Some online pharmacies sell prescription drugs at deeply discounted prices, often without requiring a prescription for online treatment of ADHD, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, and other mental health conditions. However, these internet-based pharmacies are unsafe and often sell counterfeit medicines. Some are located overseas and may not be subject to the rules and regulations followed by U.S.-based licensed pharmacies.

Save on Your ADHD Medication with BuzzRx!

Manage your ADHD medication costs with BuzzRx coupons. Here are direct links to substantial savings for each medication:

Remember, these coupons are widely accepted at over 60,000 pharmacies, including major chains like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid. Just present your coupon at the pharmacy to ensure you're getting the best possible price.

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