Asthma/COPD Drug Costs With Medicare
Compare 18 asthma/copd drug prices under Medicare Part D, averaging $711.67 per claim. Prices range from $12.00 (Singulair) to $3,081.00 (Tezspire) per prescription. 15 of 18 drugs have FDA-approved generics that cost 30-80% less.
Key Facts: Asthma/COPD Drug Costs
- Cheapest drug
- Singulair ($12.00)
- Most expensive
- Tezspire ($3,081.00)
- Medicare Part D avg
- $711.67/claim
- Generics available
- 15 of 18
- Total Medicare spend
- $14.5B/yr
- Brand-only drugs
- 3
Source: CMS Medicare Part D Spending, latest reporting year. Costs reflect plan-paid amounts, not patient out-of-pocket.
Asthma/COPD Drug Price Comparison
All 18 asthma/copd drugs tracked in Medicare Part D, sorted from cheapest to most expensive. Click any drug for Medicare coverage details, generic timelines, and savings options.
| Drug | Generic Name | Medicare Avg/Claim | Generic Available? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singulair | Montelukast | $12.00 | Yes |
| Montelukast | Montelukast Sodium | $13.00 | Yes |
| Wixela Inhub | Fluticasone/Salmeterol (generic) | $126.00 | Yes |
| AirDuo RespiClick | Fluticasone/Salmeterol | $144.00 | Yes |
| Spiriva | Tiotropium | $146.00 | Yes |
| Advair Diskus | Fluticasone/Salmeterol | $159.00 | Yes |
| Dulera | Mometasone/Formoterol | $185.00 | Yes |
| Incruse Ellipta | Umeclidinium | $185.00 | Yes |
| Stiolto Respimat | Tiotropium/Olodaterol | $189.00 | Yes |
| Breo Ellipta | Fluticasone/Vilanterol | $221.00 | Yes |
| Symbicort | Budesonide/Formoterol | $222.00 | Yes |
| Anoro Ellipta | Umeclidinium/Vilanterol | $229.00 | Yes |
| Breztri Aerosphere | Budesonide/Glycopyrrolate/Formoterol | $305.00 | No |
| Trelegy Ellipta | Fluticasone/Umeclidinium/Vilanterol | $380.00 | No |
| Xolair | Omalizumab | $1,657.00 | Yes |
| Nucala | Mepolizumab | $2,720.00 | Yes |
| Fasenra | Benralizumab | $2,836.00 | No |
| Tezspire | Tezepelumab | $3,081.00 | Yes |
Medicare Part D Coverage for Asthma/COPD Drugs
All 18 asthma/copd drugs in this comparison are dispensed under Medicare Part D. Total Medicare spending reached $14.5B in the latest reporting year, averaging $711.67 per prescription fill.
Your out-of-pocket cost depends on three factors: (1) your plan's formulary tier — generics typically land on Tier 1 ($0-$10 copay), preferred brands on Tier 2 ($30-$50), and specialty drugs on Tier 4-5 (often 25-33% coinsurance); (2) your deductible status — most plans require you to meet up to a $590 deductible before copays apply; (3) the coverage phase — initial coverage, coverage gap, or catastrophic. As of 2025, Medicare Part D caps total annual out-of-pocket at $2,000 under the Inflation Reduction Act.
For the 3 brand-only drugs in this category, expect Tier 2-3 placement with higher copays. Manufacturers cannot offer copay cards to Medicare beneficiaries (anti-kickback rules), but charity foundations like the PAN Foundation, NeedyMeds, and the HealthWell Foundation provide grants for many asthma/copd drugs. The 15 drugs with generic availability are usually the most cost-effective starting point — ask your prescriber whether a generic substitution is clinically appropriate.
Drug costs vary dramatically within this category. Tezspire (Tezepelumab) at $3,081.00 per claim is 257x more expensive than Singulair (Montelukast) at $12.00 — yet both treat asthma/copd. Therapeutic substitution within the same drug class is often the single biggest savings lever, and it requires only a prescriber conversation, not a plan change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Medicare Part D pays an average of $711.67 per claim for asthma/copd medications across 18 tracked drugs. Patient out-of-pocket costs depend on your plan's formulary tier, deductible, and whether you've reached the catastrophic coverage phase. Most asthma/copd drugs fall on Tier 2 (preferred brand) or Tier 3 (non-preferred brand) of standard Medicare Part D formularies.
The least expensive asthma/copd medication is Singulair (Montelukast) at $12.00 per Medicare Part D claim. A generic version is FDA-approved and available — ask your pharmacist about substitution to lower copays further.
Yes. All 18 asthma/copd drugs tracked here appear in Medicare Part D claims data, meaning they are dispensed under Part D plans. Coverage details — formulary tier, prior authorization requirements, step therapy — vary by plan. Check your plan's formulary or call 1-800-MEDICARE before filling.
Yes, 15 of 18 asthma/copd drugs have FDA-approved generic alternatives. Generics contain the same active ingredient and meet bioequivalence standards, but typically cost 30-80% less. On Medicare Part D, generics usually fall on Tier 1 with the lowest copay.
Three primary strategies: (1) Switch to a generic if available — Tier 1 generics typically cost under $10 per fill on Medicare Part D; (2) Use manufacturer copay assistance for brand-name drugs (commercial insurance only — Medicare beneficiaries can apply for patient assistance foundations like NeedyMeds or the PAN Foundation); (3) Compare cash prices using GoodRx, SingleCare, or Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs — sometimes cash pay beats your Part D copay. Talk to your doctor about therapeutic alternatives in the same drug class.
Drug Classes Used for Asthma/COPD
Related Conditions
Cost per claim is the average plan-paid amount per prescription fill under Medicare Part D. Patient out-of-pocket varies by formulary tier and deductible status. Generic availability is based on FDA Orange Book data.
Source: CMS Medicare Part D Spending, 2026.