Forteo (teriparatide) is an injectable medication you use once per month to help treat osteoporosis. Many Medicare Part D prescription drug plans cover this medication. Medicare has a search tool that lets you know whether the Part D or Medicare Advantage Plan you’re considering covers Forteo (teriparatide).
In 2025, the Medicare Part D out-of-pocket maximum for prescription medications is $2,000. That means you will pay the maximum amount for prescription medications in 2025. Once you have spent that amount, your covered prescriptions are $0.
The cost of Forteo (teriparatide) can range from $2,000 in one month to a few hundred dollars a month until you reach $2,000 in total prescription spending in 2025.
The price of Forteo (teriparatide) through a Medicare Part D plan varies depending on several factors, such as:
- where you live
- the Medicare Part D plan you choose
- the pharmacy you choose
- how much your Part D deductible is
Yes, choosing the generic version of Forteo, called teriparatide, can save as much as half what you pay out of pocket for the brand-name version. You’ll still likely reach the Medicare maximum out-of-pocket limit of $2,000 using the generic version, but it may take a few more months before this happens.
Yes, there are ways to save on your prescription medication costs, including:
- Extra Help: Medicare Extra Help is a program to help lower income Medicare recipients with the costs of Part D-covered medications. In 2025, individuals on Extra Help plans may pay $4.90 for generic medications and $12.15 for brand-name medications.
- Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: Beginning in 2025, Medicare offers a monthly payment system to help you spread the cost of your prescription medications over several months. When you search for your Part D plan, you can see what you would pay each month using this system.
- Pharmaceutical assistance programs: Pharmaceutical assistance programs often offer coupons and savings plans to individuals who cannot afford their medications. You generally cannot use these with your Medicare benefits. Sometimes these coupons may be more cost effective if you pay out of pocket and do not use Medicare when purchasing medication.
- State pharmaceutical assistance programs: Many states offer pharmaceutical assistance programs to help cover the costs of prescription medications.
Prescription medication costs can be high. Medicare Part D plans cover most medications. You can search for your medications to be sure any plan you choose covers them. There are also Medicare, state, and pharmaceutical company programs that may help you save money.