What is a Tier 5 drug on Medicare?

Asked by: Geovany Connelly  |  Last update: May 27, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (53 votes)

Tier 5: Specialty drugs – This is the highest tier. Unique and/or very high-cost generic and brand-name drugs are in this tier.

What are considered tier 5 drugs?

Tier 5: Specialty drugs

These are the most expensive drugs on the drug list. Specialty drugs are used to treat conditions like cancer and multiple sclerosis. They can be generic or brand name. For most plans, you'll pay 25% to 33% of the retail cost for drugs in this tier.

What are tier 6 drugs for Medicare?

Drugs in the Select Care tier (Tier 6) have a $0 copay for up to a 90-day supply in the Initial Coverage stage. This includes a select number of medications used to treat high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.

What are the drug tiers for 2024?

Generally, each drug is placed into one of up to six member payment tiers: Preferred Generic (Tier 1), Non-Preferred Generic (Tier 2), Preferred Brand (Tier 3), Non-Preferred Brand (Tier 4), Preferred Specialty (Tier 5) and Non-Preferred Specialty (Tier 6).

What are Tier 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 drugs?

5-tier plan:
  • Level or Tier 1: Preferred, low-cost generic drugs.
  • Level or Tier 2: Nonpreferred and low-cost generic drugs.
  • Level or Tier 3: Preferred brand-name and some higher-cost generic drugs.
  • Level or Tier 4: Nonpreferred brand-name drugs and some nonpreferred, highest-cost generic drugs.

What are Prescription Drug Tiers?

24 related questions found

How do I find what tier my drugs are?

Generally, the lower the tier, the less you pay. You can find what tier a drug is on by checking your formulary or drug list. You can find the formulary or drug list on your member portal. It details which drugs are covered and any plan requirements associated with these drugs.

What tier is gabapentin?

Medicare prescription drug plans typically list gabapentin on Tier 1 of their formulary.

What is the highest tier drug?

There are typically three or four tiers:
  • Tier 1: Least expensive drug options, often generic drugs.
  • Tier 2: Higher price generic and lower-price brand-name drugs.
  • Tier 3: Mainly higher price brand-name drugs.
  • Tier 4: Highest cost prescription drugs.

What tier is Eliquis 5 mg?

What drug tier is Eliquis typically on? Medicare prescription drug plans typically list Eliquis on Tier 3 of their formulary.

What tier is oxycodone?

Medicare prescription drug plans typically list oxycodone on Tier 3 of their formulary. Generally, the higher the tier, the more you have to pay for the medication.

Is Medicare Part D worth it?

No, Medicare Part D isn't a requirement. However, many people find that enrolling in a Part D plan is worth the investment. Your health can be unpredictable, so while you may not need many (or any) prescription drugs now, you may need them in the future.

What tier is omeprazole?

Medicare prescription drug plans typically list omeprazole on Tier 1 of their formulary.

What are Category 5 drugs?

Schedule V drugs, substances, or chemicals are defined as drugs with lower potential for abuse than Schedule IV and consist of preparations containing limited quantities of certain narcotics. Schedule V drugs are generally used for antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic purposes.

What is a Tier 5?

Tier 5 (Former SSBI or Level 3) – critical sensitive national security position. This investigation makes the staff member eligible for a top-secret clearance.

What is a Type 5 drug?

Schedule V drugs are generally used for antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic purposes. Some examples of Schedule V drugs are: cough preparations with less than 200 milligrams of codeine or per 100 milliliters (Robitussin AC), Lomotil, Motofen, Lyrica, Parepectolin.

What are Tier 5 prescription drugs?

Medications in tier 5 include the highest-cost versions of specialty drugs because they also have a generic option. Examples of higher-cost specialty drugs you may find in tier 5 include: Specialty drugs for autoimmune conditions. Specialty drugs for certain cancers.

What tier drug is hydrocodone?

Pure hydrocodone medications are classified as Schedule II controlled substances;4 however, combination hydrocodone products are designated as Schedule III controlled substances.

What is the strongest drug available?

Fentanyl is the strongest opioid available in medical settings, being 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Carfentanyl, a fentanyl analog is considered the most potent opioid, roughly 10,000 times stronger than morphine.

What tier is tramadol?

What drug tier is tramadol typically on? Medicare prescription drug plans typically list tramadol on Tier 2 of their formulary.

Is gabapentin a very strong painkiller?

Gabapentin is not a conventional painkiller. It is an anticonvulsant medication that is very effective in relieving nerve pain. There may be better medical treatments for other types of pain.

What channels are blocked by gabapentin?

Gabapentin blocks L-type and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels involved in depolarization-stimulated nitric oxide synthase activity in primary cultures of neurons from mouse cerebral cortex. Pharm Res. 2003 Jun;20(6):897-9.

What tier is metformin?

Medicare prescription drug plans typically list metformin on Tier 1 of their formulary. Generally, the higher the tier, the more you have to pay for the medication.

Does Medicare cover Ozempic?

Ozempic (semaglutide) is used to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Ozempic is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, but some pharmacy coupons or cash prices could help offset the cost.