Key takeaways

  • Many Medicare Part D plans cover Forteo (teriparatide), an injectable medication for osteoporosis.
  • If your Part D plan has a deductible, you must first pay this amount. In 2025, this cannot be more than $590, increasing to $615 in 2026. After you’ve paid the deductible, you’ll pay 25% toward the cost of drugs until you reach a maximum of $2,000 ($2,100 in 2026) in out-of-pocket costs.
  • Opting for the generic version of Forteo, teriparatide, can cut costs by up to half.

Forteo (teriparatide) is an injectable medication you use daily 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).

Not all Part D prescription drug plans have annual deductibles, but if they do, they cannot exceed $590 (increasing to $615 in 2026).

If applicable, you’ll first pay the deductible amount in full and then 25% toward the cost of your prescriptions until you meet thePart D out-of-pocket maximum, which in 2025 is $2,000. This will increase to $2,100 in 2026.

The cost of Forteo (teriparatide) with a Part D plan varies depending on several factors, such as:

  • where you live
  • the Medicare Part D plan you choose
  • the pharmacy you choose
  • your plan deductible

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.

Using the generic version, you’ll still likely reach the Medicare maximum out-of-pocket limit of $2,000, 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. In 2026, these amounts are set to increase to $5.10 for generic drugs and $12.65 for brand-name versions.
  • 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’d 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.