Is erectile dysfunction drugs covered by insurance?
Viagra, Cialis, and their generics for erectile dysfunction. Here’s how each kind of plan usually handles it.
- Employer or MarketplaceDepends on the plan
Depends on your plan: many exclude them or limit the number of pills.
More details
Erectile dysfunction drugs aren’t a required benefit. Plans that cover them often cap you at a few doses a month and may require . Generic sildenafil and tadalafil are cheap with a , often less than a copay.
Cost: Often a quantity limit; generics can cost under $1 a pill with discount pricing.
- Original MedicareUsually not covered
No, standard Medicare drug coverage excludes drugs for erectile dysfunction.
More details
Federal law excludes drugs used for sexual or erectile dysfunction from . The same drugs are covered when prescribed for another approved use, such as sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension or tadalafil for an enlarged prostate.
Cost: Not covered for ED; a discount card on generics is usually the cheapest option.
- Medicare AdvantageUsually not covered
No, standard Medicare drug coverage excludes drugs for erectile dysfunction.
More details
Federal law excludes drugs used for sexual or erectile dysfunction from . The same drugs are covered when prescribed for another approved use, such as sildenafil for pulmonary hypertension or tadalafil for an enlarged prostate. plans don’t have to cover it, but some include it as an extra benefit: check your plan’s Evidence of Coverage.
Cost: Not covered for ED; a discount card on generics is usually the cheapest option.
- MedicaidUsually not covered
No, Medicaid generally doesn’t cover them for erectile dysfunction.
More details
Federal Medicaid funds can’t pay for erectile dysfunction drugs. They’re covered for other approved uses, like pulmonary hypertension.
What usually has to be true
- Coverage, when offered, is often limited to a set number of doses a month.
Good to know
- Generic sildenafil and tadalafil are widely available and inexpensive.
Related
- Generic drugs · Generic prescription medications.
- Hormone therapy (menopause or low testosterone) · Estrogen and progesterone for menopause, and testosterone for low testosterone.
Sources
Typical rules for 2026 plans, checked against these sources on October 20, 2026. Your plan’s own documents decide.
- 1What Marketplace plans cover
HealthCare.gov
Marketplace plans cover outpatient care, hospitalization, mental health care, prescription drugs, rehabilitation, laboratory services, preventive services, and other essential benefit categories.
- 2What Medicare drug plans cover
Medicare.gov
Each drug plan has a formulary. By law, Medicare drug plans cannot cover certain drug categories, including drugs used only for weight loss, cosmetic purposes, or fertility, except for medically accepted uses.
- 3Compare Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
Medicare.gov
Medicare Advantage plans cover everything Original Medicare covers (except hospice, which Original Medicare continues to pay), usually use provider networks, often require referrals or prior authorization, and may offer extra benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing.
- 4Mandatory and optional Medicaid benefits
Medicaid.gov
States must cover mandatory benefits such as inpatient and outpatient hospital care, physician services, laboratory and X-ray services, home health, and nursing facility care; many other benefits, including adult dental, vision, and prescription drugs coverage details, are state options.
General information about how coverage usually works, not a decision about your plan. Your plan documents and insurer have the final word.