How Much Will Adderall Cost Me If I Don't Have Health Insurance?

Adderall is a prescription stimulant drug commonly used for people who live with ADHD. However, as with many prescription drugs, people often have questions like, "How much is Adderall without insurance?" and "How do I cover the cost of Adderall?" Thankfully, there are ways to make getting the medication your ADHD child needs more manageable. In this article, we’ll talk about how much Adderall costs, whether or not Adderall is covered by insurance, and how to pay for Adderall without insurance. Then, we will go over the uses of Adderall and how apps like Joon help children with ADHD.

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How Much Does Adderall Cost?

The cost of Adderall may differ based on a range of factors. Adderall prices vary at different pharmacies. Other factors that may change the cost include: 

• Whether you pick up generic Adderall or brand-name Adderall.
• If your child takes Adderall XR or immediate release Adderall.
• The dose of Adderall your child takes. 

With that said, let's compare the typical price range you'll see when you buy Adderall without insurance coverage. 

Generic Adderall Vs. Name Brand Adderall

One of the things that’ll make the biggest difference in cost when it comes to Adderall and other prescription drugs is whether you pick up the generic form or name brand version of the medication. Name-brand Adderall might cost up to around $11 per 20 mg pill or $300 for a 30-day supply. A 30-day supply of generic Adderall, on the other hand, often costs over $200-300 less than brand-name Adderall and may go for $20 or less. 

That said, not everyone takes 20 mg of Adderall per day, which means that what you pay could differ significantly. 

Understanding Adderall Dosage 

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Individuals may take Adderall anywhere from 1-3x/day. Make sure that your child takes Adderall as directed by their pediatrician, as everyone who takes Adderall for ADHD is different.

Is Adderall Covered by Insurance?

Adderall and other prescription medications used for ADHD are usually covered by insurance. When generic drug options are available, the insurance company is more likely to cover the generic medication but not the brand name version. This is often true for those who take Adderall unless a pediatrician asserts that the brand name is necessary and alerts the insurance company to let them know that this is the case. Generic drugs have the same active ingredient as their brand name counterparts, so this will rarely be the case. If you don't have health insurance, or if your insurance plan doesn't cover your child's medication, there are other options that can help you cover the cost. 

Adderall is one of the most known medications used for ADHD, but that is not the only reason physicians prescribe Adderall.

What Is Adderall Used For?

Adderall is used for both ADHD and a sleep disorder called Narcolepsy. It’s considered a controlled substance due to the potential for misuse. However, it is important to note that people who live with ADHD and take stimulant drugs as directed aren't at a higher risk of Adderall addiction. In fact, taking the correct medication is more likely to improve mental health outcomes. Central nervous system stimulants like Adderall are highly effective for people with ADHD and are shown to improve the overall quality of life for people with ADHD in many instances. Being on the right medication can even help individuals avoid self-medicating or developing an addiction to other substances.

How To Get Adderall Without Insurance

We already talked about how opting for generic drugs and using health insurance to pay for ADHD medication can lower the cost. If you don't have insurance, what else can you do to cover the cost of Adderall? Try the following solutions.

Recommended reading: The Best Adderall Alternatives For Children

Explore patient assistance programs

Patient assistance programs (PAPs) help people who have no insurance or who are underinsured to afford their medication. They are often sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, state programs, or non-profits. To find a patient assistance program, search for “Adderall patient assistance program” or use a website like State Rx Plans to explore the options in your state. PhRMA’s Medicine Assistance Tool is another easy-to-use tool to help you in your search. 

Compare pharmacies

To find out which pharmacy has the lowest Adderall cost near you, call around or use a website like GoodRx to compare. If you compare the cost online, make sure to confirm the price with the pharmacy in person or over a phone call, as medication prices change frequently. 

Use coupons 

Manufacturer coupons or coupons from websites such as GoodRx can help you cover the cost of Adderall and other medications. If you’re picking up the generic version, you’ll want to go with a website like GoodRx. Sometimes, if you ask at the pharmacy where you pick up your child’s medication, they will be able to help you find a coupon then and there. You can also call about it in advance or ask your child’s doctor if they know of any coupons or programs that can help.

Takeaway 

Although Adderall is by no means one of the most expensive drugs on the market, prescription medication costs are high and can be a burden for families. Differences in cost may occur based on Adderall dosage, how many pills you pick up, the pharmacy you go to, and other factors. Patient assistance programs and other resources, like coupons, can help people who don't have insurance or are otherwise unable to cover the cost of Adderall.

Whether they do or do not take medication, kids may also benefit from interventions such as behavioral therapy and apps designed for children with ADHD. That’s where Joon comes in. 

How Joon Can Help Your Child with ADHD

The Joon app is designed for kids aged 6-12 who live with ADHD. Parents make an account first. In the app, they customize a list of real-life tasks, like washing the dishes, eating breakfast, or getting dressed, that a child must complete. Once the child completes these tasks, also called "quests," they get rewards that allow them to care for a virtual pet in the game.

Joon is rated an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars in the App store and has over 3.5k reviews in total. Many parents say that Joon improves their parent-child relationship, and 90% of kids who use Joon complete all of the tasks their parents assign. It boosts motivation, self-esteem, and executive function in kids with ADHD. Even better, Joon is backed by child psychologists, teachers, and occupational therapists.

Download Joon today.