Provigil (modafinil) is a brand-name oral tablet prescribed for excessive sleepiness in adults. The cost of the drug, with and without insurance, can depend on several factors, such as your insurance coverage and pharmacy.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Provigil for use in adults with excessive sleepiness due to narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, or shift work.

To learn about Provigil’s price and how to save money on your prescriptions, keep reading. For other information about Provigil, see this article.

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

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • the pharmacy you use

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

Common questions about cost and Provigil

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

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

What you pay for Provigil 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’re eligible for any available savings programs
  • your dosage and treatment plan
  • the pharmacy you use

These same factors may affect your price for Provigil if you have insurance. It also depends on:

  • your specific plan benefits
  • any prior authorization requirements you have for drug coverage (see “Insurance considerations” below)

To learn more about what you’d pay for Provigil 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 this drug when using coupons from their site. However, Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance benefits or copays. (Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.)

How does the price of Provigil 200 mg compare with the price of Provigil 100 mg?

The price of the 200-milligram (mg) tablet may be higher than the price of the 100-mg tablet because it contains more of the active ingredient (modafinil).

Your cost for either strength of Provigil may also depend on:

  • whether you have insurance or are paying out of pocket
  • the pharmacy you use
  • the quantity you’re prescribed (such as a 90-day or 30-day supply)
  • your treatment plan
  • any savings programs available for the medication

To find out how much Provigil will cost with insurance, contact your insurance provider. If you don’t have insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist, or check out Optum Perks. You may also want to contact several pharmacies to compare their prices for Provigil.

To learn about the recommended dosage of Provigil for your condition, see this article.

Provigil is available as the generic drug modafinil. 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 Provigil and you’re interested in modafinil instead, talk with your doctor. They may prefer one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may cover only one or the other.

To find out how the cost of modafinil compares with the cost of Provigil, 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 Provigil 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 Provigil. 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

Provigil 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 Provigil or help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. 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.

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

If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Provigil. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Provigil 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 Provigil requires prior authorization.

If you’d like to learn about your condition, visit our science of sleep hub.

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.