Does Aetna CVS Health cover Deltasone?

About Deltasone

Doctors prescribe Deltasone for inflammation. It's a corticosteroid, a category that is a standard part of the formulary for Aetna CVS Health and the other major Marketplace carriers. The interesting question isn't usually "is it covered" — it's "at what tier, with what cost-share, and with what prior-authorization rules."

How Aetna CVS Health typically covers corticosteroids

Aetna CVS Health's approach to corticosteroids mirrors the rest of the commercial market — the generic is on the preferred tier, formulary placement is stable across the metal tiers, and there's usually no prior authorization for Deltasone on standard plans.

What Deltasone typically costs on a Aetna CVS Health plan

Plan on roughly $0–$15 per fill per fill of Deltasone on Aetna CVS Health's plans, with the caveat that the higher-deductible plans in the carrier's lineup will charge the full negotiated rate until the deductible is met. The "true" cost is what you pay across a year, not what's printed on the tier sheet.

Generic vs. brand

Because Prednisone is the established generic, Aetna CVS Health plans tier it well below the Deltasone brand. Most members end up on the generic — either because the prescription is written for the generic name, or because the plan's tiering makes it the obvious choice at the pharmacy counter.

Before you enroll

Don't enroll based on the formulary tier alone. For Deltasone, also check: (a) is there a generic the plan would prefer first, (b) is a 90-day mail-order fill available at a lower per-fill cost, and (c) does the plan use a tiered pharmacy network that would make your usual pharmacy cost more than a preferred one. Aetna CVS Health publishes these details in the plan's formulary and pharmacy directory.

Frequently asked questions

Does Aetna CVS Health cover Deltasone?

Deltasone is on the formulary for most Aetna CVS Health Marketplace plans, typically at Tier 1 (preferred generic). Specific coverage, copay, and any prior-authorization requirements vary by individual plan — enter your ZIP to see your county's plans.

What tier is Deltasone on Aetna CVS Health's formulary?

On most Aetna CVS Health plans, Deltasone sits at Tier 1 (preferred generic). Plans in the carrier's lineup occasionally place it differently — Gold and Platinum plans sometimes consolidate tiers, and a small number of Silver plans may move brand drugs up a tier in exchange for lower premiums.

How much does Deltasone cost on a Aetna CVS Health plan?

Cost-share at Tier 1 (preferred generic) is typically $0–$15 per fill once you've met any applicable prescription drug deductible. The actual amount depends on which plan you pick and whether you fill at a preferred pharmacy.

Will Aetna CVS Health cover Deltasone or only the generic?

Aetna CVS Health plans cover both, but the generic Prednisone is on a lower tier and is the default. If you need the brand specifically, expect a higher copay or a step-therapy requirement that asks for documentation of why the generic isn't suitable.