How to Save Money on Uceris in 2026: Coupons, Discounts, and Patient Assistance

Updated:

February 27, 2026

Author:

Peter Daggett

Summarize this blog with AI:

Uceris can cost over $1,500/month without insurance. Learn how to save with coupons, discount cards, generics, and patient assistance programs.

Uceris Is Expensive — But There Are Ways to Pay Less

If you've ever looked at the price tag on a Uceris prescription and felt your stomach drop, you're not alone. Brand-name Uceris can cost $1,200 to $1,800 per month for the extended-release tablets and $800 to $1,500 per canister for the rectal foam — and that's before insurance.

For a medication you may need for weeks or months at a time to manage your ulcerative colitis, those numbers add up fast. But the good news is that there are real ways to reduce what you pay, whether you have insurance or not.

In this guide, we'll break down the cost of Uceris, walk through every savings option available in 2026, and help you figure out which one works best for your situation.

How Much Does Uceris Cost Without Insurance?

Let's start with the cash prices — what you'd pay at a retail pharmacy without any insurance or discount:

  • Brand-name Uceris extended-release tablets (9 mg, 30 tablets): $1,200 to $1,800
  • Brand-name Uceris rectal foam (one canister, ~2-week supply): $800 to $1,500
  • Generic Budesonide ER tablets (9 mg, 30 tablets): $300 to $600

Prices vary by pharmacy, location, and whether you're getting brand or generic. The rectal foam tends to be the most expensive formulation because there's limited generic competition for it.

How Much Does Uceris Cost With Insurance?

With insurance, your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan's formulary, tier placement, deductible, and copay structure. Here's what most patients experience:

  • Tier 3 (preferred brand): Copays of $50 to $150 per fill
  • Specialty tier: Copays of $100 to $300+ per fill, or coinsurance (20-40% of the drug cost)
  • After deductible: If your plan has a high deductible, you may pay full price until you meet it

Many plans also require prior authorization and step therapy (usually requiring a trial of Mesalamine first) before they'll cover Uceris. If you're hitting insurance hurdles, ask your doctor's office to submit the prior authorization as soon as possible to avoid delays.

Option 1: Switch to Generic Budesonide

The single biggest way to save on Uceris is to ask your doctor about generic Budesonide extended-release tablets. They contain the same active ingredient at the same dose and are FDA-rated as therapeutically equivalent to brand Uceris tablets.

Generic Budesonide ER typically costs $300 to $600 for a 30-day supply at cash price — that's a savings of $600 to $1,200 compared to brand-name Uceris tablets.

With a discount card (see below), generics can be even cheaper.

Important note: Generic Budesonide rectal foam is not widely available as of 2026. If you need the foam formulation specifically, generic substitution isn't currently an option for that form.

Option 2: Manufacturer Savings Card

Bausch Health, the maker of Uceris, offers a Uceris Savings Card for eligible patients. Here's how it works:

  • Eligibility: Commercially insured patients (private insurance through an employer or marketplace plan)
  • Savings: May reduce your copay to as low as $30 per prescription
  • Not eligible: Patients with Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, or other government-funded insurance

You can ask your doctor's office about the savings card or look for it on the Bausch Health website. Some pharmacies can also help you activate it at the counter.

This is one of the best options if you have commercial insurance and want to stay on brand-name Uceris. The savings can be significant — turning a $150 copay into a $30 copay, for example.

Option 3: Prescription Discount Cards and Coupons

Even without insurance, prescription discount cards can significantly reduce your cost, especially for generic Budesonide. These cards are free to use and accepted at most pharmacies. Here are some to try:

  • GoodRx: Compare prices across pharmacies near you and use their free coupon at checkout. Generic Budesonide ER prices through GoodRx can drop to $150 to $350 depending on the pharmacy.
  • SingleCare: Another free discount card that works at major chains including CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart.
  • RxSaver: Compare discounted prices and print or show the coupon on your phone.
  • Optum Perks: Free coupons that can be used at checkout with no membership required.
  • BuzzRx: Offers savings on both brand and generic medications at participating pharmacies.

Pro tip: Prices can vary significantly between pharmacies — sometimes by hundreds of dollars for the same medication. Always compare prices at 3-4 pharmacies before filling. Costco, Walmart, and independent pharmacies often have the lowest generic prices.

Option 4: Patient Assistance Programs

If you're uninsured, underinsured, or struggling financially, patient assistance programs (PAPs) may provide Uceris at little to no cost. These are typically offered by the drug manufacturer or nonprofit organizations.

Bausch Health Patient Assistance Foundation

Bausch Health offers a patient assistance program for patients who:

  • Are uninsured or underinsured
  • Meet income eligibility requirements
  • Are U.S. residents with a valid prescription

If approved, you may receive Uceris for free. Contact Bausch Health directly or ask your doctor's office to help with the application.

Nonprofit Assistance Programs

Several nonprofit organizations help connect patients with medication assistance:

  • NeedyMeds (needymeds.org) — searchable database of PAPs, discount programs, and free clinics
  • RxAssist (rxassist.org) — comprehensive database of patient assistance programs
  • RxHope (rxhope.com) — connects patients to manufacturer assistance programs

These programs require some paperwork and processing time, so apply as early as possible — ideally before you run out of your current supply.

Option 5: Other Ways to Save

Here are a few more strategies that can help lower your Uceris costs:

Mail-Order Pharmacy

Many insurance plans offer lower copays for medications filled through their mail-order pharmacy — often a 90-day supply for the price of two monthly copays. If your plan offers this, it can save you 15-30% per year on Uceris.

Pill Splitting (Tablets Only)

This does NOT apply to Uceris. The extended-release tablets must be swallowed whole — they cannot be split, crushed, or chewed without destroying the extended-release mechanism. Do not attempt to split Uceris tablets.

Compare Pharmacies

Cash prices for the same medication can vary by $200 or more between pharmacies in the same city. Use tools like GoodRx or Medfinder to compare prices. Costco's pharmacy is often among the cheapest and does not require a Costco membership to use.

Ask About 90-Day Supplies

Filling a 90-day supply instead of three separate 30-day fills can save on per-fill fees and copays. Ask your doctor to write the prescription for a 90-day quantity if your condition is stable.

State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs

Some states offer prescription assistance programs for residents who meet certain income or age requirements. Check with your state's health department or a local social worker to see what's available in your area.

Quick Comparison: Uceris Savings Options

  • Generic substitution: Save $600-$1,200/month (tablets only)
  • Manufacturer savings card: Copay as low as $30 (commercial insurance only)
  • GoodRx/discount cards: Generic as low as $150-$350
  • Patient assistance programs: Free medication (income-qualified, uninsured/underinsured)
  • Mail-order pharmacy: Save 15-30% per year on copays

What to Do Right Now

Here's a step-by-step plan to start saving on Uceris today:

  1. Ask your doctor if generic Budesonide ER is right for you
  2. Check if you qualify for the Bausch Health Savings Card (commercially insured patients)
  3. Compare prices at multiple pharmacies using GoodRx, SingleCare, or Medfinder
  4. Apply for patient assistance if you're uninsured or underinsured (start at NeedyMeds.org)
  5. Ask about mail-order and 90-day supply options through your insurance

For help finding Uceris in stock at the best price near you, visit Medfinder.com.

Final Thoughts

No one should have to choose between managing their ulcerative colitis and paying their other bills. Uceris is an effective medication, but its price tag can be a real barrier to access.

The good news is that between generic options, manufacturer programs, discount cards, and patient assistance programs, most patients can find a way to make Uceris more affordable. It just takes knowing where to look — and that's exactly what this guide is for.

Take the first step today. Your health — and your wallet — will thank you.

What is the cheapest way to get Uceris?

The cheapest option is generic Budesonide ER tablets with a discount card like GoodRx, which can bring the price down to $150 to $350 for a 30-day supply. If you're uninsured and income-qualified, the Bausch Health Patient Assistance Program may provide Uceris for free.

Does the Uceris savings card work with Medicare?

No. The Bausch Health Uceris Savings Card is only available to commercially insured patients (employer or marketplace plans). It cannot be used with Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, or other government-funded insurance. Medicare patients should look into the Bausch Health Patient Assistance Foundation or state pharmaceutical assistance programs.

How much can I save by switching from brand Uceris to generic Budesonide?

Switching from brand-name Uceris tablets ($1,200-$1,800/month) to generic Budesonide ER ($300-$600/month) can save you $600 to $1,200 per month. With a discount card, generic prices can drop further to $150-$350. Note that generic Budesonide rectal foam is not widely available.

Are there any free programs for Uceris if I don't have insurance?

Yes. The Bausch Health Patient Assistance Foundation provides Uceris at no cost to eligible uninsured or underinsured patients who meet income requirements. Additionally, nonprofit organizations like NeedyMeds (needymeds.org) and RxAssist (rxassist.org) can help you find additional assistance programs.

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