Femara (Letrozole) Medicare Coverage

Femara is a medication that contains the active ingredient Letrozole. It is used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in post-menopausal women.

Femara helps decrease estrogen in the blood, which helps to help treat breast cancer. Femara is typically taken once daily and us usually prescribed for up to 5 years.

Common side effects of Femara include fatigue, hot flashes, headache, dizziness, upset stomach, cough, back pain, muscle or joint pain, constipation, diarrhea, sweating, insomnia, changes in weight and hair loss.

How much does Letrozole cost with Medicare?

Letrozole 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 Letrozole?

According to GoodRx, 100% of Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D plans covered Letrozole, the generic form of Femara, in 2023.¹

• Medicare Advantage plans or Part D plans that cover Letrozole 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 Letrozole. 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

Femara can lead to weakened bones and osteoporosis if taken for a long time. This can increase your chances of breaking bones. Let your doctor know if you experience any bone pain. Supplementing Femara with vitamin D and calcium is recommended unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Femara can cause problems with fertility.

This medication can cause extreme harm to an unborn baby if taken while pregnant. If you are able to get pregnant, a pregnancy test will be done before starting this medication to ensure that you are not pregnant.

It is recommended to use birth control to prevent pregnancy while taking Femara and for 3 weeks after your last dose.

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.