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 |  | Low: Insurance Copays $5-$30 a month |  | High: Without Insurance Coverage $10-$85 a month | |
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also called hormone therapy, sometimes is used to counter side effects, such as hot flashes, mood swings and vaginal dryness, that can result from a decrease in female hormones during menopause. Typical costs: |
- For patients not covered by health insurance, the average monthly cost of hormone replacement therapy can range from about $10 to $85, depending on the drug used. Generic estrogen-only or progesterone-only pills fall at the lower end of the cost range, while brand name estrogen-plus-progesterone pills or patches such as Prempro the CombiPatch, fall in the middle and some bioidentical estrogen vaginal creams, such as Estrace Cream, can fall on the high end. ConsumerReports.com[1] offers a comparison chart of the monthly costs of various hormone replacement therapy pills, creams and patches.
- Hormone replacement therapy is covered by most health insurance plans, but some do not cover it because they consider hormone-level decline a normal part of aging. For example, several women on WebMD's menopause support forum[2] stated that their Kaiser plans did not cover HRT.
- For patients covered by insurance, prescription drug copays range from $5 to $30 per month.
Related articles: Bone Density Test |
| What should be included: |
- Hormone replacement therapy typically contains synthetic versions of the hormones estrogen and progestin or a combination of the two. Recently, there has been more interest in bioidentical hormones, which mimic those produced by a woman's body. Harvard Health[3] provides an overview of bioidentical hormones, and cautions that there is no solid scientific evidence these are safer or more effective than non-bioidentical hormones.
- Hormone replacement therapy generally is available in the form of a pill, a patch, a gel, a vaginal cream or a slow-releasing vaginal ring. Most pills are taken daily, and most creams are applied daily, while patches are usually applied once or twice a week. The North American Menopause Society[4] has an overview of HRT.
Additional costs: |
- An initial doctor visit is required, and that can cost between $75 and $200 without insurance.
- Before prescribing HRT, the doctor probably will order a blood test to check hormone levels, and it can cost about $1,000 without insurance.
- Periodic follow-up doctor visits, and possibly follow-up blood testing, will be required.
Discounts: |
- Walmart[5] offers several generic HRT drugs for $4 for a monthly supply.
Shopping for hormone replacement therapy: |
- Hormone replacement therapy was much more commonly prescribed before a 2002 study exposed some risks, such as an increased risk of heart disease, blood clots, strokes and breast cancer. Now, long-term hormone replacement therapy generally is not recommended, but short-term therapy may, in addition to symptom relief, provide other health benefits, such as protection against osteoporosis and colorectal cancer. The Mayo Clinic[6] provides an overview of benefits and risks, and the American Cancer Society[7] offers a detailed FAQ on HRT and risk for different types of cancer.
- Talk to your regular gynecologist about whether you are a candidate for HRT. Or, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists[8] offers a doctor finder by state.
- However, even short-term hormone replacement therapy is not recommended for women with heart disease, breast cancer or history of strokes. The National Institutes of Health[9] provides an overview of research on complementary and alternative therapies.
- Side effects of hormone replacement therapy can include symptoms such as headaches, stomache cramps, fluid retention, breast tenderness and changes in sex drive.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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 Post | | Comments (38) | | |
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| What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
Page 2 of 2 - << Previous 12 |
| Posted by: lkzimmerman in Porter, TX. | Posted: November 21st, 2021 01:11PM | | Insurance:: won\'t cover HRT | I get Biote Estrogen and Testosterone Pellets inserted every 90 days for $350.00 and take a Progesterone pill daily which run 85-100 for a 90 day supply. |
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| Posted by: Just started hormones in Clearwater, FL. | Posted: October 8th, 2020 05:10PM | | Insurance:: Cigna high deductible health plan | I just picked up prescription for estradiol patch $ 96 . Progesterone pills $50. And Low dose estradiol vaginal cream. $40. Total $185 per one month. It may be covered but I have a 5000 deductible (high deductible health insurance) so I had to pay out of pocket until my deductible is reached. Blood tests were partially covered but $450. Was the Estimated out of pocket. Also had to get mammogram free. Doctor says another choice for HRT is an insert slow release estradiol-projesterone that is inserted under skin for $350 That lasts 3 months. That works out to 117/ mo. She said it would not be covered by insurance. |
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| Posted by: Addison in Charlottesville, VA. | Posted: April 18th, 2020 11:04AM | | Insurance:: Aetna | The retail price for me is 15$ but with my insurance I didn't pay anything out of pocket |
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| Posted by: paracelsus in Lincoln, NE. | Posted: November 12th, 2018 10:11AM | | Insurance:: CVS Caremark | Will not cover compounded HRT. "Insufficient clinical evidence exists for safety or effectiveness of compounded HRT." According to them, you can just live with the symptoms as they eventually fade after a few years (or 20). Or if you feel that lifestyle changes don't help, they will pay for the blood pressure pills, the insulin, sleep pills, xanax, drugs for bone density, and a hundred other expensive things, but not compounded HRT. |
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| Posted by: I will be Reese in Margate, FL. | Posted: October 15th, 2018 04:10PM | | Insurance:: Only recently | Transitioning from male to female typically progesterone will not be prescribed as it is still not considered a required or proven case for necessity of it. Mostly estradiol is the only thing typically provided with alpha blockers such as Spirolactone
If your insurance does not cover it there are other ways to get it it may be less or more than you are used to paying I won't go into how to do it but I have been providing my own hormones up until this last year through my own way of getting them |
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| Posted by: Eli James in Oneonta, NY. | Posted: July 7th, 2018 06:07PM | | Insurance:: MVP and Fidelis | On progesterone shots to block estrogen production. Fidelis (my insurance) won't cover hormones/birth control for me since I'm under 18 years of age, hence the copay, but MVP(my family's insurance) covered it, no questions asked. |
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| Posted by: a user in Augusta, GA. | Posted: November 30th, 2017 01:11PM | | Insurance:: UHS Care Mart | When I had insurance I paid $123 for a 3 month supply. I had a lapse in insurance and the quote was over $500. Why is birth control free w/ most insurance and at the health department but not HRT. Same hormones. |
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| Posted by: DJD in Columbia, MD. | Posted: November 24th, 2017 04:11AM | | Insurance:: Bcbs | Phizer does have a patient program to cover them free but my salary went over their limit. |
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| Posted by: Gillian 2017 in Atlanta, GA. | Posted: November 16th, 2017 01:11AM | | Insurance:: none | Walmart sells generic estradiol 2mg per pill for $4.00 for a one month supply (for women). Transgender dosage is typically double that (4 mg per day). A three month (for women) supply is $10.00. They also sell generic progesterone for the same price. |
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| Posted by: Renee deason in Austin, TX. | Posted: September 26th, 2017 04:09AM | | Insurance:: BCBS | Without insurance $265... insurance covered it at a cost of $95 / mo. Why are there no generics for it? The main reason I went to the doctor is because I had rapid weight gain In one year .... but all the reviews mention weight gain as a side effect . My doctor advised the weight gain was because this was the year I went into full
Menopause |
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| Posted by: StuckFootingtheBill in Norman, OK. | Posted: June 7th, 2017 12:06AM | | Insurance:: None | Bio identical hormone replacement therapy. There is no insurance that covers the pellets for women, only men. Because menopause is a normal part of life. The cause of my menopause is NOT due to natural aging, I am only 31! |
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| Posted by: Ripped off in Phoenix in Phoenix, AZ. | Posted: May 5th, 2017 02:05PM | | Insurance:: Cigna Home Pharamacy | I think that from what I can see on costs they ripped me off big time for a Estrogen/Progest. Cream to be that expensive is just crazy! The worst part about it is that I asked my dr to check the coverage and cost before ordering it neither were done. I have a auto alert on my HSA was the only reason I knew that the money was withdrawn from my account. I am fuming mad that they did not call me when I asked Cigna just said only if it is over $1000 REALLY!!! |
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| Posted by: Lorita F Howard in Louisville, KY. | Posted: April 24th, 2017 11:04AM | | Insurance:: BCBS | |
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| Posted by: kansas Granny in paola, KS. | Posted: March 8th, 2017 07:03AM | | Insurance:: Walmart/humana plan | Full cost $333.00. My price 264.00 3/1/2017 |
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| Posted by: Kas5900 in Hayden, ID. | Posted: February 16th, 2017 08:02PM | | Insurance:: Bluecross | I went to get my prempro prescription at Walmart and was told my share would be $550.00 after insurance. I guess I really don't need to take it. Can't/won't pay that much. |
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| Posted by: LiterallyHot in Chicago, IL. | Posted: January 11th, 2017 07:01AM | | Insurance:: BCBS | $10-$85? Where do I find HRT that cheap? My prescription costs $179. The price is re-dick-ulous when it is something necessary for normal life for women. Prick pharmaceutical companies, get your heads out of your asses! You have enough money to last for your entire lifetime, you don't need to steal money from the rest of us to line your pockets further. |
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| Posted by: vanilla beaner 37 in Linton, IN. | Posted: July 27th, 2016 03:07PM | | Insurance:: Mdwise | I am male going to female I want to know if the hormone replacement therapy will be covered MDwise said the appointment is covered but that the Dr will need to do a prior authorization to see if the hormone replacement therapy will be covered. Plz help |
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| Posted by: TheBiz in Albuquerque, NM. | Posted: June 8th, 2016 06:06PM | | Insurance:: Quit covering hormones. | Pay this for about 5-6 week supply for estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. Insurance only covers blood testing. With co-pays, used to be $90/month. Now, insurance will only pay for pharma HRT, which I cannot sub for the Wiley Protocol. I pay my CNP out of pocket because I don't want to switch. I can afford it, but it's not right at the major university I work for in the southwest, I'm surrounded by diabetics who won't change their horrid diet, taking expensive diabetic drugs, plus antidepressants, and more, and they whine all the time about their aches and pains, doctor visits constantly, and I'm older than they are often. I have to pay via rising insurance costs for their bad habits, while I only want my BHRT, and apparently good health is my responsibility. If I could figure out how to buy lower-cost insurance for just emergencies and high-cost expenses, which I can't under the ACA rules, I'd do it in a heart beat. I'd rather pay for my integrative health care on my own. |
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| Posted by: Kare in Anthem, AZ. | Posted: May 27th, 2016 09:05AM | | Insurance:: UHC | This is my first time on hormones. I have been going through hot flashes and night sweats for 4 years and finally decided to get some help. My doctor put me on a fairly new treatment called prempro, made from the urine of pregnant mares.
I was shocked at the price and not sure if I want to spend $150 every month. Plus I just got my menstrual period after not having it for 3 years. I'm a newbie and will be doing more research but at this particular moment, I'll take the hotflashes and night sweats. |
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| Posted by: meri in Ormond Beach, FL. | Posted: May 7th, 2016 07:05AM | | Insurance:: no | Angeliq if purchased out of the USA (Panama or Canada) without insurance is only $38.00 per month plus shipping. U need an RX to buy in Canada and may need your doctor to RX a dose not available in USA. With insurance coverage it cost $80-$110 in USA.I find that it relieves all my post menopausal symptoms |
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| Posted by: TtNh in Brandon, FL. | Posted: April 29th, 2016 01:04PM | | Insurance:: medicare bc/bs | How is it so cheap outside of Medicare... Isn't something way,way,way wrong here or am I missing something?? |
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| Posted by: [email protected] in Cranston, RI. | Posted: April 15th, 2016 10:04AM | | Insurance:: Doesn't cover | I needed estrogen/progestion and testesterone replacement because all low. -and armour thyroid. Vitamin D shots
Even though this is pretty low I had to stop after a year of paying because I'm on Ssdi and just couldn't afford them. |
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| Posted by: HPNC in Greensboro, NC. | Posted: March 20th, 2016 03:03PM | | Insurance:: Out of Pocket | Hormone replacement with testosterone is not covered by Medicare, only estrogen. Functional ovaries make estrogen and testosterone.
Three month supply purchased at Costco; membership is not required for pharmacy purchases. |
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| Posted by: Nessa in venice, FL. | Posted: February 25th, 2016 09:02AM | | Insurance:: after 200 ded/40% after | started this 2 yrs ago for atrophy. cost was 139.
I called the company to complain about price gouging basically was told too bad. This is suppose to be better because it is applied directly to site with out going thru bloodstream.
half a gram 3x a week. 3 tubes a yr. |
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| External Resources: |
- www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/Hormones-2pager-FINAL-...
- exchanges.webmd.com/default.htm?
- www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/What-are-bioidentical-hormones.htm
- www.menopause.org/for-women/expert-answers/faqs-menopause-basics
- www.walmart.com/cp/1078664
- www.mayoclinic.com/health/hormone-therapy/WO00046
- www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/othercarcinogens/medicaltreatments/menopausal-h...
- www.acog.org/About_ACOG/Find_an_Ob-Gyn
- nccam.nih.gov/health/menopause/menopausesymptoms
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