Adderall (Amphetamine Salts) Medicare Coverage

Adderall is a medication that contains a combination of the active ingredients dextroamphetamine and amphetamine. Adderall is a stimulant medication that increases norepinephrine and dopamine in the brain to improve brain function. It is a schedule II medication due to its high potential for abuse.

Adderall is used to treat attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and can also be used to treat narcolepsy.

Adderall comes as an immediate release form or an extended release form. The immediate release form is taken 1-2 times daily, while the extended release form is taken 1 time daily.

Common side effects of Adderall include nervousness, excitability, headache, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, dizziness, weakness, dry mouth, weight loss and upset stomach.

How much do Amphetamine Salts cost with Medicare?

Amphetamine Salts 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 Amphetamine Salts?

According to GoodRx, 99% of Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D plans cover Amphetamine Salts, the generic form of Adderall, in 2023.¹

• Medicare Advantage plans or Part D plans that cover Amphetamine Salts 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 Amphetamine Salts. 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

If you are taking the immediate release form of Adderall, take with or without food. Take your last dose of the day at least 4 hours before bedtime to avoid insomnia.

If you are taking an extended release form of Adderall, take your dose in the morning. This medication can be taken with or without food but should be taken the same way every time you take it.

Only use this medication if it was prescribed to you by the doctor. If you have ever had problems with addiction, let your doctor know before starting Adderall.

Adderall can cause high blood pressure, mood changes and a serious problem called serotonin syndrome. Signs of serotonin syndrome include confusion, hallucinations, fever, abnormal heartbeat, muscle twitching, shaking, upset stomach and headache.

Heart attack, stroke and sudden death have occurred in adults taking Adderall. Call your doctor immediately if you have an abnormal heartbeat, weakness on 1 side of the body, trouble speaking or thinking, change in balance, change in eyesight, chest pain, shortness of breath or dizziness.

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.