Medicare usually does not pay for Viagra to treat sexual dysfunction. It may cover it in rare cases when doctors prescribe it for another medically necessary reason.
However, the generic version of the drug, sildenafil, is available at a lower cost. Additionally, people who need the medication may find coupons online that lower the price further.
This article discusses whether Medicare covers Viagra and how much it may cost.
Glossary of Medicare terms
- Out-of-pocket cost: This is the amount a person must pay for care when Medicare does not pay the total amount or offer coverage. Costs can include deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and premiums.
- Premium: This is the amount of money someone pays each month for Medicare coverage.
- Deductible: This is an annual amount a person must spend out of pocket within a certain period before Medicare starts to fund their treatments.
- Coinsurance: This is the percentage of treatment costs that a person must self-fund. For Medicare Part B, coinsurance is 20%.
- Copayment: This is a fixed dollar amount a person with insurance pays when receiving certain treatments. For Medicare, this usually applies to prescription drugs.
Original Medicare includes Part A, which is inpatient hospital insurance, and Part B, which is medical insurance. Neither Part A nor Part B includes general prescription drug coverage, which is available under Part D.
Original Medicare will not cover the branded drug Viagra because Part A only covers some medications that healthcare professionals administer within a skilled nursing facility (SNF). Part B also covers some outpatient medications in limited form.
Does Medicare cover generic brand Viagra?
Original Medicare might cover the generic form of the medication, sildenafil, in certain circumstances if a doctor prescribes it for a different, medically necessary condition.
This is because sildenafil can treat conditions other than erectile dysfunction (ED). For example, doctors may use it to treat pulmonary arterial hypertension under brand names such as Revatio or Liqrev.
Advantage plans are an alternative to Original Medicare. They must provide the same coverage as parts A and B, and in most cases, they also include prescription drug coverage. However, there are exceptions in rare cases where Original Medicare would provide coverage for generic sildenafil.
These plans usually do not cover the brand Viagra, though they should cover brands doctors prescribe to treat hypertension.
Some Advantage plans also include additional prescription drug coverage similar to Part D. That said, similar to Original Medicare, Medicare Part D sees the treatment of ED as a lifestyle-enhancing aid rather than medically necessary.
In general, Part D does not cover drugs that treat ED, including Viagra. This is unless a doctor prescribes them for different, medically necessary reasons for which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved their use.
However, some Part D plans may not cover Viagra, or even sildenafil, if a doctor prescribes it off-label to treat a different medical condition, even if they state it is medically necessary.
Medicare resources
For more resources to help guide you through the complex world of medical insurance, visit our Medicare hub.
Prices for Viagra can vary considerably among pharmacies. The brand-name drug costs about $800 and $914, whereas the generic version costs between $7 and $160.
In some cases, a person may be able to find coupons online from retailers that can reduce the cost. This makes the pills more affordable, even for those without health insurance.
In the rare cases that Original Medicare covers generic Viagra, a person must meet the monthly deductible of $257 for Part B or $1,676 for Part A. They also need to pay a premium for Part B that starts at $185. Most people do not need to pay a premium for Part A.
Once a person meets their Part B deductible, Part B will pay for 80% of any covered treatment or service. Once individuals meet their Part A, Part A will cover any drugs they get during a hospital stay for the first 60 days or a stay at an SNF for the first 20 days. After that, a person begins incurring an additional daily cost.
Private insurers manage Advantage plans, which have different premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance depending on the plan. According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the average monthly premium for Part C plans is around $17 in 2025.
In addition, to enroll in an Advantage plan, a person still has to pay the Part B premium. That said, some Part C may cover this cost.
If someone qualifies for coverage under Part D, their out-of-pocket costs will also depend on their plan and what classification the drug falls under within the plan’s formulary. The national base beneficiary premium is $36.78 in 2025.
What else does Medicare cover for erectile dysfunction?
Medicare might pay for certain diagnostic tests and treatments relating to ED.
How do I get a free prescription for Viagra?
To save money on Viagra, a person can consider purchasing generic sildenafil, which has the same active ingredients. Eligible people can also use Viagra Savings Card from Viatris, check local pharmacies or telehealth services for discounts, and explore pharmaceutical companies’ patient assistance programs. These are also known as prescription assistance programs.
Does Medicare cover ED injections?
Medicare programs also typically do not cover ED injections since they are not considered medically necessary.
Does Medicare cover Cialis?
Cialis (Tadalafil) is another drug doctors primarily prescribe to treat ED, which means Medicare will not cover it unless a person has another medically necessary reason.
Medicare does not cover Viagra and similar drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED).
However, Medicare may cover sildenafil and other generic medications for ED to treat other medically necessary conditions. For ED treatments, people may be able to get the generic forms at a lower cost than the brand-name drugs.
A person with sexual dysfunction may wish to discuss the condition with their doctor and ask whether it is safe for them to take Viagra or its generic alternative. A doctor can give them a prescription and perhaps recommend other measures.
