Forteo (teriparatide) is a brand-name injection that’s prescribed for osteoporosis. The cost of the drug, with and without insurance, can depend on several factors, such as whether Forteo has a savings program.

As with all medications, the cost of Forteo can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:

  • your insurance coverage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • whether Forteo has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)

In addition, you may need to purchase needles to inject Forteo.

To find out what the cost of Forteo will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

The active ingredient of Forteo is teriparatide. It’s available as the generic drug teriparatide. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

If your doctor has prescribed Forteo and you’re interested in receiving teriparatide instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.

To find out how the cost of this generic drug compares with the cost of Forteo, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.

If you take Forteo long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Forteo. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Forteo may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need financial support to pay for Forteo, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

  • A program called Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program is available for Forteo. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 800-545-6962 or visit the program website.
  • Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Forteo.

How much does Forteo cost with Medicare?

It depends. You can call your Medicare plan provider to learn whether your particular plan covers this drug and what the cost is. There are many types of Medicare plans, so your coverage and what you pay for prescriptions will be based on your particular plan’s benefits.

You may also need to obtain prior authorization before your plan will cover the cost of this medication.

Your doctor may also be able to provide information about your cost for Forteo if you have Medicare.

How much does Forteo cost with insurance vs. without it?

What you pay for Forteo if you have insurance compared with what you’d pay without it depends on several factors.

Factors that could affect what you pay for this drug without insurance include:

  • the quantity you’re prescribed (such as a 90-day or 30-day supply)
  • whether you apply and qualify for any available savings programs
  • the pharmacy you use

These same factors may affect your price for Forteo if you have insurance. But the price you pay with insurance will also depend on:

  • your specific plan benefits
  • any prior authorization requirements you have for drug coverage

To learn more about what you’d pay for Forteo with or without insurance, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).

You can also visit Optum Perks* for price estimates for several medications. However, Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance benefits or copays.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.

How much does Forteo cost per month?

What you pay per month for Forteo depends on several factors. These include:

  • whether you have insurance and what the specific plan’s benefits are
  • the quantity you’re prescribed (such as a 90-day or 30-day supply)
  • whether you apply and qualify for any available savings programs
  • the pharmacy you use

To learn more about what you’d pay for Forteo per month, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).

Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Forteo.

If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Forteo. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Forteo in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered.

If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Forteo requires prior authorization.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.