Insurance and cash prices
Of the 9 insurers below, 3 say no to ED drugs used for ED, and the rest cover them only under limits or plan by plan. Each row quotes the insurer's own document with the date we read it. If your plan says no, generic sildenafil costs from $1.60 a dose online with the visit included.
By Julian Caraulani · Last updated
The answer in one line, the insurer's own words, and its guide with the detail. Not insurance, legal or medical advice: your plan documents decide.
Part D plans may not pay for an ED drug used for ED. The same drug can be covered for another approved use, such as an enlarged prostate (tadalafil) or lung blood pressure (sildenafil).
"does not include a drug when used for the treatment of sexual or erectile dysfunction, unless such drug were used to treat a condition, other than sexual or erectile dysfunction, for which the drug has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration"
States may drop ED drugs, and federal matching money is barred for them, so few states cover them. Washington and New York exclude them in writing.
"Agents when used for the treatment of sexual or erectile dysfunction"
Listed among drugs that "may be excluded from coverage or otherwise restricted".
"For sexual or erectile dysfunction"
Under "The medicaid agency does not cover".
Many Aetna pharmacy plans exclude lifestyle drugs. On those plans ED pills are covered only where a state requires it or the employer bought an optional rider.
"Many Aetna pharmacy benefit plans exclude coverage of drugs for lifestyle enhancement or performance"
Aetna Clinical Policy Bulletin 0007, last reviewed 29 Jul 2026, read
"sildenafil citrate (Viagra), vardenafil hydrochloride (Levitra) and tadalafil (Cialis) are covered only when required by state regulation or when a plan sponsor has elected an optional rider under the pharmacy plan"
Aetna Clinical Policy Bulletin 0007, last reviewed 29 Jul 2026, read
Employer plans that cover ED drugs cap them at 8 doses per 30 days. A 2026 Cigna individual plan list excludes them, with no review route.
"A total quantity of 8 doses of sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, alprostadil injection, or alprostadil urethral suppositories will be covered per 30-day period"
Cigna policy DQM017, effective 15 Jul 2026, read
"Any treatment, Prescription Drug, service or supply to treat sexual dysfunction, enhance sexual performance or increase sexual desire"
Item 44 of the list's exclusions.
Cigna 2026 individual plan drug list, Florida, coverage as of 1 Jan 2026, read
UHC's employer drug list puts generic sildenafil and tadalafil on Tier 2 with a quantity limit, but the list itself says it does not decide your benefit.
"does not define benefit coverage"
Generic sildenafil and tadalafil sit on Tier 2 with QL under "Drugs for sexual dysfunction".
UHC 2026 Prescription Drug List, effective 1 Sep 2026, read
Each Blue company and employer sets its own list. The federal employee plan and a Michigan list exclude ED drugs; an Oklahoma list covers sildenafil with an 8-dose monthly cap.
"Drugs and supplies related to sexual dysfunction or sexual inadequacy"
Listed as not covered.
"Lifestyle drugs (such as drugs to treat erectile dysfunction or weight loss)"
BCBS Michigan Custom Select Drug List, November 2026 edition, read
"QL (8 doses/30 days)"
The note on generic sildenafil.
BCBS Oklahoma Multi-Tier Basic Drug List, October 2026 edition, read
Humana is now mostly a Medicare insurer, so the Part D rule applies. Its 2026 Basic Rx list has no Viagra or Cialis for ED: tadalafil only with prior approval among prostate drugs, sildenafil only for lung blood pressure.
"tadalafil 5 mg TABLET 4 PA"
Listed among bladder and prostate drugs: Tier 4, prior approval.
Humana Basic Rx Plan (PDP) 2026 drug list, updated 2 Nov 2026, read
"will be exiting the Employer Group Commercial Medical Products business"
TRICARE covers ED pills for ED with a physical cause, with a monthly tablet limit set per strength. ED alone does not qualify for an override of the limit.
"Organic impotence is defined as that which can be reasonably expected to occur following certain diseases, surgical procedures, trauma, injury, or congenital malformation"
32 CFR 199.4, via eCFR, read
"The TRICARE Formulary Search Tool will also advise as to any quantity or day supply limitations associated with the drug in question"
The VA National Formulary lists sildenafil with no restriction and tadalafil behind facility approval. Both generics sit in the lowest copay tier: $5 for up to a 30-day supply unless you are exempt.
"are formulary, but require prior approval at the facility level before dispensing"
The meaning of PA-F, the code on tadalafil tablets.
"preferred generic prescription medicines"
Tier 1: $5 for a 1 to 30 day supply.
VA copay rates, read
Only where a document we read speaks to hair loss. Private plans set their own lists; most treat hair loss as cosmetic.
| Insurer | Answer | In its own words |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare (Part D) | No, for hair loss | "Agents when used for cosmetic purposes or hair growth" CMS Part D manual, chapter 6, read October 31, 2026 · guide |
| Medicaid | States may exclude it | "Agents when used for cosmetic purposes or hair growth" 42 U.S.C. 1396r-8, via Cornell LII, read October 31, 2026 · guide |
Generic ED and hair loss tablets are among the cheapest prescriptions there are. Three ways to pay cash, each read at the source.
Hair loss: from $14/mo at Keeps (Finasteride 1 mg). Every ED price, cheapest first.
Rarely in full. Medicare drug plans may not pay for an ED drug used for ED, Medicaid lets states drop them, and private insurers such as Aetna, Cigna and Blue Cross plans exclude them or cap the doses unless an employer adds them. TRICARE and the VA cover them with limits. Each answer above quotes the insurer's own words, read November 14, 2026.
Usually not. Medicare Part D excludes "Agents when used for cosmetic purposes or hair growth", and the Medicaid law lets states exclude the same. The same drug can be covered for an enlarged prostate. Cash finasteride plans start at $14/month online at Keeps.
Almost none of the programs we track bill insurance for their own fees; they are cash prices. Some say they can send the prescription to a pharmacy you choose, where your plan may apply. Each review quotes the program's own words on insurance.
Often, for generics. Cost Plus Drugs lists a 30-tablet pack of generic sildenafil for $5.84 with your own prescription (read November 14, 2026), shipping extra. A copay on a tier 2 or 3 drug can cost more than that.
Men's Health Watchdog is for information only and is not medical advice. Sildenafil, tadalafil, finasteride, oral minoxidil and testosterone are prescription drugs (testosterone is a federally controlled substance); talk to a licensed clinician about whether one is right for you and at what dose. Coverage is set by each plan's own documents; ask your insurer before you rely on any answer here.