Sildenafil citrate, the active ingredient in Viagra, is one of the world’s most popular drugs. And what is one of the most popular treatments for erectile dysfunction? You guessed it: Viagra!
Do you want to know what is the most popular drug on the market? It’s not morphine or oxycodone. It’s not methamphetamine. Or cocaine. Or benzodiazepines (tranquilizers). Or alpha-blockers (for treating male impotence). Or alprostadil (Cialis). Or yohimbine (Yaz Dexter). Or tadalafil (Cadus Cadus). Or sildenafil (Viagra). Or vardenafil (Levitra). Or avanafil (Stendra). Or apomorphine (Structure, Solvy SOV). Or silodosin (SLND). Or sildenafil (Viagra). Or tadalafil (Cadus Cadus). Or vardenafil (Levitra). Or avanafil (Stendra).
The above drugs are all covered by insurance. But not all drugs that are used to treat erectile dysfunction are. What are the most popular drugs for treating erectile dysfunction? You guessed it: Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra.
Why Are Drugs for Treating ED Not Covered by Insurance?
You might be asking yourself, “Why doesn’t my health insurance cover drugs for treating erectile dysfunction?” Let’s explore.
The category of drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction is known as “off-labeled
drugs”. These are usually drugs that have been studied for a different use, or
a use for which the drug has not yet been approved by the FDA. In the United States,
off-labeled drugs are considered medical devices and are not covered by insurance
policies. This means that if you’re taking an off-labeled drug, you’re on your
own when it comes to paying for your medications.
However, some insurance policies cover OTC drugs and devices under special
circumstances. For example, if you’re taking an OTC drug for a condition that
is recognized by the American Diabetes Association, you might be able to get
coverage for the drug in question. But remember that OTC drugs are considered
“investigational”, and insurance companies are not required to cover these drugs
in the same way that they cover FDA-approved medications. It’s also worth noting
that many insurance companies have a lifetime maximum on prescriptions, so be
sure to ask about this as well.
Is There Any Way to Help Myself Without Incurring Billable Sides (e.g., Hospitalizations)?
Let’s say that you do get coverage through your insurance for a drug used to
treat erectile dysfunction. Great! You’ll be able to get your hands on medication
that can help you with your condition. But what will happen if you get sick or
injured while on this medication? Will your insurance
company continue to cover your treatment? If so, awesome! You’ll be able to
continue taking the drug and getting the benefits that it provides. If not,
then you’re on the hook for any related costs that your insurance company won’t
cover.
You’re probably wondering when this page will let you submit your question
for answer. So let me give you some good news. I, personally, have worked
closely with an editor at one of the top-rated health insurance companies in
the United States to put this article together. And we think that given the
complexity of this topic, we’re fortunate that we were able to track him
down. So let’s get to the good stuff. Here’s the answer:
“Yes”, you may be able to get some help without going through a hospitalization.
Depending on your insurance policy, there are several steps that you can take
to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses. First, let’s discuss “primary
care”. As your primary care physician, I will examine you for free. And if
you do have diabetes, or if you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes, then I will
prescribe you a diabetes medication for zero cost to you. This is known as a
“pre-screening” test, and as a result of taking this test, you will
automatically be considered for a free 30-day supply of Acarbose, a medication
that is used to treat type 2 diabetes. This is a great opportunity to try out a
new medication without having to pay for it yourself. Plus, you will receive all
of the physician’s visits and diagnostic tests that you need for free. This is
known as “family wellness
insurance”, and it can get extremely expensive if you have to go to the
hospital for a checkup. Having family wellness insurance can also help you get
treatment for many other diseases and conditions.
As a patient, you should be aware of a “deductible”, which is the
money that you must pay out of pocket before your insurance company will start
coverage for your treatment. A good rule of thumb is that the deductible should be
equal to one month’s income. After you’ve paid your deductible, your insurance
company will start covering your medical expenses—up to a maximum, of course. In
the United States, most insurance policies have a yearly maximum on medical
expenses, which means that once you’ve hit your maximum, your insurance company
will not cover any additional fees or costs associated with your treatment. It
is vital to note here that any treatment that is covered by your insurance
company will not be taxed as income. This is a great relief for
patients who are earning a decent income but are finding it hard to cover the
costs of their prescriptions. In this case, the IRS will not consider
the cost of the medication as taxable income, and you will not have to worry
about paying extra taxes on your prescription medications.
Helpful Resources For Patients
I would like to point out a few resources that can be helpful for patients
who are seeking information about off-label medications. First, my own website has a lot of information about different diseases and conditions. You can access it
here.
You can also find a wealth of information on PubMed, the National Institutes
of Health’s publicly available database. Just search for “off-label drugs” and
you’ll bring up a list of all of the studies that have been done on a drug
regarding its effectiveness as treatment for a particular disease or
condition.
The Bottom Line
As you can see above, there are a lot of different drugs that are used to
treat erectile dysfunction. Some companies will cover these drugs, while others
will not. If you do have insurance coverage, it is advisable to consult with
your physician to see what options are available to you. Keep in mind that
off-label drugs are often much more expensive than their FDA-approved
counterparts. But if your insurance company does not cover the drugs used to
treat erectile dysfunction, then you have nothing to lose by trying them out. Just
be sure to read all of the medication’s warnings and precautions before you start
taking it.