Sonata (Zaleplon) Medicare Coverage

Sonata is a medication that contains the active ingredient Zaleplon. It is used to treat insomnia. It works in the brain by binding to receptors that help you feel tired.

Sonata is a schedule IV medication due to its potential for abuse. Sonata is taken once daily immediately before bedtime to help induce sleep.

Common side effects of Sonata include headache, dizziness, feeling tired the next day, fatigue, upset stomach and stomach pain.

How much does Zaleplon cost with Medicare?

Zaleplon coverage and costs may vary based on the specific plan you have, as well as what coverage stage you're in.

Contact your plan carrier or consult your plan formulary for more cost information.

Does Medicare cover Zaleplon?

According to GoodRx, 80% of Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D plans covered Zaleplon, the generic form of Sonata, in 2023.¹

• Medicare Advantage plans or Part D plans that cover Zaleplon include copay amounts that can range widely from one plan to another. Plan members may also be responsible for meeting a deductible before the plan’s drug coverage kicks in.
  
  
• Medicare Advantage plans that offer prescription drug coverage are called Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans (MA-PD). 89% of 2023 Medicare Advantage plans included prescription drug coverage.²
  
  
• Medicare prescription drugs plans each have their own formulary, or drug list, that details what prescription drugs are covered by the plan and how they are covered.

Drug coverage may vary based on plan availability. You may be able to find Medicare Advantage plan options in your area that cover Zaleplon. We represent carriers such as Humana, UnitedHealthcare^®, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna Healthcare, Wellcare, or Kaiser Permanente.

You can also compare Part D prescription drug plans available where you live and enroll in a Medicare prescription drug plan online when you visit MyRxPlans.com.

Additional information

Take your dose of Sonata right before bedtime or after you have gone to bed ifyou are having trouble falling asleep. Do not taken Sonata with or right after a meal.

Make sure you are able to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep to avoid drowsiness the next day.

Sonata can be habit-forming if it is used over a long period of time. If you take Sonata regularly, it can cause withdrawal symptoms if you stop taking it suddenly.

If you still have trouble sleeping after 7-10 days of using Sonata, talk to your doctor. Sonata should not be used for more than 30 days at a time. You can build a tolerance to the effects of Sonata if you take it for several weeks.

In some people who take it, Sonata has caused sleepwalking, sleep driving and other actions while not fully awake. This has rarely led to injury or death. Most of the time, people do not remember these activities. If this happens, stop taking Sonata and tell your doctor right away.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not healthcare advice, treatment, or diagnosis. It is not an endorsement of or recommendation for this medication. Speak to your doctor or healthcare provider about your specific healthcare needs, including your prescription medications. Only take medication as directed by your doctor.

Coverage and costs of prescription medications will vary by Medicare plan. Not all plans are available in all areas.

Written by Hayden Gharibyar, Pharm.D.