Why Trust Recovery Guide Butrans patches cost between $60 and $900 for a four-week supply without insurance. This is a very large range, and to better determine the cost, it’s best to assess specific factors. Many people will only require the low dose of Butrans, which is on the lower end of the pay scale.
For others, Butrans can be more costly if they need more than four patches in a month (which is not as common) or need higher-strength doses.
Learn more about Butrans patches
Factors That Affect The Cost Of Butrans Patches
When determining the pricing of Butrans, it’s important to consider a few key factors that affect the final cost.
Insurance
Most major health insurance providers cover Butrans patches, including government-funded insurance.
A few of the major health insurance companies that cover Butrans are:
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- Humana
- Kaiser Permanente
- Liberty Advantage
- MassHealth
- Medicare
- Medicaid
- United Healthcare
With insurance, the out-of-pocket cost can be as little as $15. The final cost will depend on which specific health insurance plan you have and which state you live in, as each health insurance plan will have different levels of coverage.
Dose
The dose will be a major factor in the weekly or monthly cost of Butrans patches. This includes both the number of patches and the strength of the prescription. The higher the number of patches and the higher the prescription strength, the more costly it will be.
Butrans patches come in the following strengths:
- 5 mcg/hr
- 7.5 mcg/hr
- 10 mcg/hr
- 15 mcg/hr
- 20 mcg/hr
A 5 mcg/hr patch will cost much less than a 20 mcg/hr patch. Every individual beginning Butrans treatment will start at 5 mcg/hr. After a week, the dose may be increased as necessary. Depending on pain levels and how well the dose of Butrans is working, your monthly cost may continue to increase as the dose is increased to meet recovery and pain management needs.
Brand Name Vs Generic
Brand-name Butrans patches will run much higher than generic name buprenorphine patches. Both brand-name and generic buprenorphine patches are effective treatment measures for long-term pain relief.
Here are details on the pricing for generic buprenorphine patches:
- Four patches of 5 mcg/hr: $60 to $150
- Four patches of 7.5 mcg/hr: $90 to $260
- Four patches of 10 mcg/hr: $110 to $290
- Four patches of 15 mcg/hr: $160 to $315
- Four patches of 20 mcg/hr: $190 to $500
Here are details on the pricing for brand-name Butrans patches:
- Four patches of 5 mcg/hr: $300 to $350
- Four patches of 7.5 mcg/hr: $450 to $480
- Four patches of 10 mcg/hr: $480 to $520
- Four patches of 15 mcg/hr: $700 to $750
- Four patches of 20 mcg/hr: $850 to $900
These prices could be higher or lower depending on the pharmacy. The biggest potential drawback is that some health insurance companies only cover the brand name, and some only cover the generic version. You may only have one choice when it comes to brand versus generic, which will affect the pricing.
Ways To Save Money On Butrans Patches
If Butrans patches are expensive even with insurance, several options can help reduce costs. Manufacturer coupons and individual assistance programs are available directly from the company that makes Butrans, which may significantly lower or eliminate copays for eligible people. Check the manufacturer’s website or ask your doctor’s office about these programs.
Pharmacy discount cards like GoodRx, SingleCare, or RxSaver can offer lower prices than insurance, especially for generic buprenorphine patches. Compare prices at different pharmacies, as costs vary significantly between chains and independent pharmacies. Mail-order pharmacies through your insurance often provide 90-day supplies at reduced rates.
If cost is a barrier, talk with your doctor about switching to generic buprenorphine patches, starting at the lowest effective dose, or exploring alternative pain management options that may be more affordable while still providing adequate relief.
Find Butrans Treatment Today
You don’t have to walk the path of addiction recovery alone. If you are struggling with opioid addiction, or have a loved one who’s going through it, there are recovery options available.
Butrans treatment can be affordable and effective when it’s used in an addiction treatment center. A rehab program will use both medical and behavioral therapies to address the addiction.
Common treatment options include:
- medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- medical detox
- outpatient rehab programs
- inpatient rehab programs
Contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) or browse our directory to learn more about addiction recovery.