Rifaximin, also called Xifaxan is the most commonly prescribed and most helpful pharmaceutical antibiotic in the treatment of SIBO. Xifaxan is also a very expensive antibiotic. For some SIBO patients, Rifaximin is the best solution for ridding the intestines of the unwanted bacteria. But because SIBO is a relatively new diagnosis, Rifaximin is even newer to the market as a treatment for SIBO. This means Rifaximin is expensive, usually $800-$2,000 (USD) for one round of antibiotics for SIBO. Worse still, Rifaximin is often not covered by Health Insurance companies for the treatment of SIBO.
So, when your doctor decides Rifaximin is the best solution here are some things to consider to help make this prescription more affordable.
1.) Use a coupon
Xifaxan has very generously offered coupons online to help reduce the cost of Xifaxan to an affordable price. This is going to be the best first thing you can do if your insurance does not cover Xifaxan. The coupon found on Xifaxan’s website will reduce the cost of the 550mg pill dose to $0. This can save you over $1,000, and is a huge blessing from the manufacturer.
2.) The person behind the counter at the pharmacy is your best friend. Not the enemy.
The pharmacists can have a lot of control when it comes to making your prescription. Some coupons will cover specific pill doses while other coupons won’t. Depending on your prescription, pharmacists can work to get the majority of your needs into the 550mg dose. Pharmacists can also work with insurance companies to find out what your insurance will and won’t cover. Making friends with your pharmacists is a big deal. If you are kind, patient, ask for help, and are willing to wait while they do some research your pharmacist might find a great deal for you. How much the pharmacist and pharmacy are willing to work with you, work with your insurance, and even help you find coupons can make the prescription more affordable. Smaller pharmacies or talking to a pharmacist at the slowest time of the day can make a difference in helping you get what you need as well. But sometimes it all depends on what you ask for, and how kind you are to them!
3.) A more accurate diagnosis
Would your insurance cover Xifaxan if it was prescribed for IBS? Xifaxan is prescribed for several different medical conditions including Traveler’s Diarrhea, IBS, and SIBO. Most insurance companies will cover Xifaxan for Traveler’s Diarrhea (3-day prescription), and IBS.
There is new research linking SIBO and IBS. IBS can be tested for via a blood test but it can also be diagnosed through symptoms alone. IBSchek is a blood test used to test for IBS. The test itself is $100-200. There is a lot of research that shows IBS and SIBO are closely related. In fact studies show over 50% of those with IBS-D have SIBO. Ask your doctor about your options, as more information about your SIBO can make your treatments more effective and more customized for your needs. Despite what some resources say online, there are options to test for this in the United States. Talk with your doctor for details.
If your insurance does not cover Xifaxan for SIBO, find out if it is covered for IBS. Having an accurate prescription for the correctly diagnosed condition might mean you get better results with your insurance company.
4.) Prescribed dose matters
The prescribed daily dose can make a difference, too. Xifaxan comes in two different pill sizes, 550mg and 200mg. Several years ago, my coupon only covered the 550mg sized pills so my pharmacist worked to get most of my prescription into the 550mg pills and a smaller amount of the 200mg pills. My pharmacist even gave me the option to cut pills in half or take more in the morning if it would decrease my cost, but it worked out that I did not need to go that route. You can work with your doctor and your pharmacist to get the right dosage for your needs into the least expensive pill options.
5.) Shop pharmacies
Call around to different pharmacies and ask for the cash price of Rifaximin for your prescribed dose. I called every pharmacy in my town and found the one that was least expensive and most willing to help me with my insurance. I even called pharmacies near some of my family in a different state to see if their prices were better. I found a variation of $800 between different pharmacies for the SAME prescription.
No guarantees
I cannot guarantee that any of these ideas will work for you. Many more insurance companies are getting on board with helping to cover the costs of SIBO and hopefully soon, Rifaximin will be covered for SIBO without any patient having to put up a fight. If no option works for you to pay for Xifaxan, talk with your doctor about other treatment options like the herbal protocols or the Elemental Diet.
Please know that prices of testing, coupons, and antibiotics are subject to change. Insurance company policies are subject to change and your individual policies are up to you to manage. Please also remember that the people who answer the phone, whether at your insurance company, the pharmacy, or with a pharmaceutical company are real people. Please be kind, both your their sake and your own, it happens to get you much further down the path of where you want to go.
21
alice says
I just read an article in Bottom Line Personal (July 1, 2020 Vol 41 Number 13) that reported the herbal supplement Ultra MFP Forte is often just as effective as rifaximin treating SIBO. It only costs about $56 for one month. Unfortunately, I am allergic to nuts and can’t take it because one of its ingredients is black walnut hull powder. Just wanted to share if this can help anyone.
Elena Wistey says
Thank you Alice! This is super helpful!