It’s no secret that medical insurance coverage can be pretty slim. You might occasionally get coverage for prescriptions, but if you’re trying to buy condoms or Viagra, you’re out of luck. That’s because both of these products are considered ‘high-risk’ and are typically not covered by health insurance policies. So if you want to take care of your erectile dysfunction issues with drugstore.com’s #1 recommended ED medication, you’ll have to pay for it yourself.
Fortunately, there are ways to get around this. You can contact your insurance provider and ask if their policy does in fact cover Viagra. If it does, great! You can log in to your medical record and see a complete list of your medications and their costs. You can also request an appointment with your personal physician to ask about medication options for your particular condition. This will help you find the best solution for your individual needs.
It’s also good practice to ask about discounts for insurance policies. Sometimes, the insurance provider will give you a discounted rate for a specific medication or medical product. So it’s worth your time to find out if there’s anything your provider can offer.
How Does Medical Insurance Coverage Work?
Medical insurance coverage determines what products and services are approved for payment from an insurance provider. It works a little like this: when you meet with your personal physician to discuss a prescription for a high-risk product such as Viagra or a prosthetic heart valve, your physician will submit the request to your insurance company. The insurance company will then check the request and either approve or deny it. If approved, it will then list what products and services are covered under your plan.
Keep in mind that coverage can vary from policy to policy, so you’ll want to contact your provider to find out what coverage you have. Additionally, approval for medication typically takes a couple of days, so don’t expect to get instant results.
Is Viagra Covered By Most Medical Insurance Policies?
Most medical insurance policies do indeed cover Viagra and other ED medications. Some of the more common high-risk medications that are covered include:
- Viagra
- Cialis
- Levitra
- Staxyn
- Zenegra
As you can see, most of these medications are used to treat erectile dysfunction and are considered ‘high-risk’ because of the side effects they may cause. However, there are exceptions to the rule. For instance, policies from some BCBS carriers, Medicare, and certain HMOs do not cover Viagra or similar medications. So be sure to check with your provider before you buy a medication that’s not covered under your policy.
Are There Examples Of Where Viagra Is Covered By Insurance?
There are multiple examples of where Viagra is covered by insurance. For instance, the Medicare policy listed above does not cover Viagra and similar medications, but it does cover the fees associated with administering them. So if you’re taking care of a senior citizen in your household and they have Medicare, you can apply for reimbursement for the cost of Viagra and similar medications. Additionally, many private insurance policies cover Viagra and other ED medications. It depends on the plan and what’s allowed under the policy, but most private insurance policies will have some form of coverage for ED medication. If a medication is on the formulary, or a list of approved medications, chances are it’s going to be covered under your insurance policy. As always, contact your provider to find out what coverage you have.