When did insurance companies start covering Viagra?
Asked by: Khalil Welch II | Last update: January 4, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (66 votes)
Do insurances cover Viagra?
Commercial health insurance plans do not typically cover brand-name ED drugs like Viagra, Cialis, Levitra, and Stendra. Insurance is more likely to cover the generic version of these medications (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil).
When Viagra was first introduced in the US, many insurance companies?
In conclusion, when Viagra was first introduced in the United States, many insurance companies treated the drug just like prescription contraceptives, requiring people to pay 68% out of pocket for it.
When did Viagra go generic?
Pfizer's patents on Viagra expired outside the US in 2012; in the US they were set to expire, but Pfizer settled litigation with each of Mylan and Teva which agreed that both companies could introduce generics in the US on 11 December 2017. In December 2017, Pfizer released its own generic version of Viagra.
Why is Viagra covered by insurance and not birth control?
The argument for Viagra coverage is that it's a medical drug that treats a medical condition, whereas contraceptives are considered “lifestyle drugs” that are not medically necessary—though Baker pointed out that many women take oral contraceptives for medical purposes, such as to prevent uterine bleeding.
Does Insurance Pay for Viagra? : Basic Insurance Advice
When did Viagra get covered by insurance?
June 19, 2002 — -- Within weeks of hitting the U.S. market in 1998, more than half of Viagra prescriptions received health insurance coverage. If many women weren't already outraged that they had to pay for birth control out of pocket, they were infuriated at the preference given to the anti-impotence pills.
What happens if a woman takes Viagra?
Your hormones may be affected. As Viagra may influence blood flow and vascular function, it could potentially have an indirect effect on hormonal balance in women. However, the specific consequences and long-term effects of such hormonal changes, if any, are not well-understood. It may interact with other drugs.
Does Viagra keep you hard after coming?
Viagra doesn't stop your erection going down after you ejaculate, so you'll likely lose your erection after you do. If you are having trouble orgasming too early then you may need separate treatment for premature ejaculation. You can get more than one erection while on Viagra.
Which country uses the most Viagra?
Saudi Arabia topped the list. Al-Riyadh, the Saudi newspaper which published the report, estimated at the time that Saudis spent $1.5bn (£1.23bn; €1.43bn at today's exchange rate) annually on sexual enhancement pills.
When should you not take Viagra?
Bleeding disorders. Eye or vision problems, including a rare inherited eye disease called retinitis pigmentosa. Anatomical deformation of the penis, Peyronie's disease, or history of priapism (painful and prolonged erection) Heart disease, angina, a history of heart attack, irregular heartbeats, or other heart problems.
Does sildenafil have serious side effects?
The most common side effects are headaches, feeling sick, indigestion and dizziness. Many people have no side effects or only mild ones. It can be dangerous to take sildenafil if you also take medicines called nitrates (often given for chest pain). The combination can cause a dangerous fall in your blood pressure.
Why won't insurance cover sildenafil?
Viagra and other PDE5 inhibitors are considered the first-line treatments for erectile dysfunction. But for many insurance companies, they're not considered medically-necessary treatment.
Can diabetics get free Viagra?
Eligibility Criteria for Viagra on the NHS
These mainly relate to having another health condition that is causing ED. Examples are: Diabetes that has damaged blood vessels or nerves important for erections. Diseases of the nerves or spinal cord from injuries, strokes, MS, or Parkinson's.
Is sildenafil better than Viagra?
Minor differences in packaging and pill appearance aside, brand-name Viagra and its generic counterpart, sildenafil, are exactly the same medication. If you have erectile dysfunction, both medications should produce a noticeable boost to your sex life by improving your erections and sexual performance.
How to tell if a man is taking Viagra?
Can you tell if a man is taking Viagra? Unlike poker, there is no “tell” that reveals a man is taking Viagra. The only way to know a man is taking Viagra is if you see him take the pill, or if he tells you.
Can Viagra make a woman wet?
According to a few research studies, Viagra may improve arousal sensation, lubrication and orgasm in women with female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), but it showed no improvement in women with other types of FSDs such as hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) or painful sexual intercourse (dyspareunia).
Does Viagra lower blood pressure?
Key takeaways. Viagra (sildenafil) slightly lowers blood pressure, but the effect is usually minor and safe for most people.
Is Viagra good for a 20 year old?
However, you should not use this medication without consulting a healthcare professional. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of sildenafil (brand name Viagra) only in “men” older than 18 years.
Does sildenafil make you rock hard?
An increase in sildenafil dose from 50 mg to 100 mg was associated with a higher proportion of completely hard and fully rigid erections and a higher rate of SSI during the initial attempt using the higher dose, improvements that were statistically significant in the larger study.
Is Cialis better than Viagra?
Effectiveness of all PDE5 inhibitors is similar; although reported effectiveness of Viagra, at 84% is slightly higher than that of Cialis at 81%. However, more men prefer Cialis because of its longer duration of effect.
What is the female version of Viagra called?
The FDA has approved a daily pill called flibanserin (Addyi) to treat low sexual desire in women before menopause. This medicine started as a treatment for depression. Addyi may boost sex drive in women with low sexual desire. It's for women who are not happy with their low sex drive.
Does Viagra make you last longer?
Viagra can help you last longer by reducing your refractory period, which means that you can have sex again more quickly after you have orgasmed. Viagra is only approved for treating erectile dysfunction. If you need help lasting longer in bed for a different reason, you might need another treatment.
How much is Viagra in Mexico?
In Tijuana, the generic form of Viagra, called Sildenafil, costs about $20 for 10 pills. That's about the same price you'll pay for generic Viagra in the United States without insurance. In the U.S. you need a prescription to buy Viagra; in Mexico you don't. It's available at, pretty much, any pharmacy in Tijuana.