Medicare usually covers the cost of inhalers for people with asthma, COPD, or certain other conditions under Part D or Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. With Medicare coverage, you may still have certain out-of-pocket costs, but you may also be eligible for assistance programs to help with those costs.
Inhalers are handheld devices that deliver medication through your mouth and lungs. They reduce inflammation in your airways and ease breathing, making them important treatments for asthma and COPD.
With Medicare, coverage for prescription drugs you take at home is available through Part D. Medicare-approved private insurers offer Part D plans as a complement to Original Medicare or bundled in a Medicare Advantage plan.
If you take a medication in a doctor’s office, like certain nebulizers, you may receive coverage under Medicare Part B.
Because insurance companies offer different Part D plans, the medications each plan covers can vary. A Part D plan’s list of drugs is called its formulary.
If a specific inhaler isn’t in your plan’s formulary, a comparable medication may be in it.
The cost of an inhaler under Medicare can vary based on the type of medication, the plan, and the drug’s tier. Part D plans often group medications into four tiers based on their costs.
Generic medications tend to cost less and occupy a lower tier, whereas brand-name drugs tend to cost more and occupy a higher tier.
Depending on your plan, you may incur a monthly premium, annual deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. These costs can vary based on your plan, your income, and when you sign up for Part D. But in 2025, no Part D plan can have an annual deductible above $590.
Also, your out-of-pocket maximum has a cap of $2,000 per year. Medicare can cover all costs above that related to your inhaler.
If you need assistance paying for your inhaler, you may be eligible for benefits through Medicaid, Extra Help, or another assistance program.