Does Anthem Cover Contrave?
The verdict
Conditional on most plans
Anthem covers Contrave only where the plan includes a weight-loss drug benefit. Because Contrave is FDA-approved only for chronic weight management, plans with an anti-obesity carve-out exclude it entirely. Standard Medicare Part D excludes Contrave by statute. Where covered, BMI-based prior authorization applies. For most readers searching 'Anthem Contrave,' the short answer is: check whether your plan covers weight-loss drugs, then consider CurAccess at approximately $99/month if excluded.
Coverage is set by your specific plan and formulary. This is a research summary — always confirm with Anthem using your member ID.
Key facts
Contrave is FDA-approved only for chronic weight management. Any Anthem plan with an anti-obesity carve-out excludes it entirely — check your drug list before filing a PA.
FDA Prescribing Information, naltrexone/bupropion (Contrave)
Medicare Part D excludes weight-loss agents by statute. The manufacturer coupon also excludes Medicare members. CurAccess (~$99/mo) is the cash route for government-insured.
CMS.gov Medicare Part D statutory exclusions; Currax CurAccess program
There is no generic for Contrave. CurAccess at approximately $99/month with free shipping is the main cost-reduction program for patients without coverage.
Currax Pharmaceuticals CurAccess program
Medicare vs. commercial coverage
Whether Anthem covers Contrave depends heavily on which kind of plan you hold. They follow completely different rules — here's each one, side by side.
Medicare
Part D & Advantage plans
Standard Medicare Part D excludes Contrave by federal statute. The 2026 GLP-1 Bridge does not cover Contrave (Bridge covers only Wegovy, Foundayo, Zepbound KwikPen). The manufacturer copay coupon excludes Medicare members. CurAccess (~$99/month cash) is open to government-insured patients who do not bill their plan.
Commercial / Employer
Group & marketplace plans
Anthem commercial/employer plans cover Contrave only where the employer group has purchased a weight-loss benefit. ACA/individual Anthem plans often exclude anti-obesity medications. Where covered, BMI-based prior authorization applies: BMI ≥30, or ≥27 with a qualifying comorbidity, plus documented behavioral modification and reduced-calorie diet. Anthem Medicaid (Elevance multi-state) is state-dependent. Cells are composites; verify on Anthem's drug search.
The 4 boxes you must tick to get approved
Commercial plans that will consider Contrave require prior authorization. Check off what applies to you to see how close you are — this is a guide, not a guarantee of approval.
Meet all 4 and you have a documented case for approval. Missing any one is the most common reason requests are denied.
Your cost, three ways
What Contrave actually costs you swings enormously depending on how it's covered. Here's the realistic range.
Paying cash
Retail approximately $619 (Drugs.com) to $753 (SingleCare) per month.
List price with no coverage — before any manufacturer savings card.
With coverage
Commercial coupon: as low as $0, maximum $199/month without coverage. Usable for Anthem commercial and ACA members; excludes Medicare and Medicaid.
Typical monthly copay once prior authorization is approved.
Bridge program
CurAccess (Currax): approximately $99/month with free shipping. Open to cash-paying patients including government-insured who do not bill their plan. No generic for Contrave.
Reduced copay through the assistance program, where eligible.
All figures are estimates. Confirm with Anthem's drug pricing tool.
Check YOUR exact coverage in 3 steps
General answers only get you so far. Here's how to confirm your own plan's decision in a few minutes.
- 1
Search your Anthem drug list for Contrave
Log in at Anthem.com and search for 'Contrave' or 'naltrexone/bupropion.' If the plan has an AOM exclusion, the drug will show as not covered — this is the first and most important check.
- 2
If covered, confirm BMI and behavioral program documentation
Your BMI (≥30, or ≥27 with a comorbidity) and enrollment in a behavioral/diet program must be documented before your doctor submits the prior authorization to Anthem.
- 3
If excluded, consider CurAccess or the coupon
CurAccess at approximately $99/month with free shipping is often lower-cost than the commercial coupon's $199/month max without coverage. If you are a commercial/ACA member, compare both. Medicare members: use CurAccess only.
Options if Anthem won't cover Contrave
A denial isn't the end of the road. These are the paths people commonly explore next — discuss any of them with your prescriber.
CurAccess (Currax direct program)
Approximately $99/month cash with free shipping — often the fastest, cheapest path for Anthem members whose plan excludes weight-loss drugs.
Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate ER)
Another oral AOM on the same AOM carve-out logic; generic available 2025 (Teva). REMS restrictions and teratogenicity warning apply.
Compounded semaglutide or tirzepatide (via Curex)
Injectable GLP-1-based weight-management option requiring no insurance or prior auth. Not the same medication as Contrave. From $49/month.
These options are listed for information only — your own clinician decides what is appropriate for you.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
The two URLs reflect different search intents — searchers who type the brand name 'Contrave' vs. those who type the generic 'naltrexone/bupropion Contrave.' Coverage is identical on both: Anthem covers Contrave only where the plan has a weight-loss benefit. If both pages exist on the site, one may eventually redirect to the other as a canonical URL.
No. Medicare Part D excludes weight-loss agents by federal statute. This applies to all Anthem Medicare plans. The 2026 GLP-1 Bridge does not include oral AOMs like Contrave. Medicare members who want Contrave must use a cash program — CurAccess at approximately $99/month is the operative option, since the manufacturer coupon also excludes Medicare.
First check whether your plan covers weight-loss drugs at all — log in at Anthem.com and search for Contrave. If covered, your doctor submits a BMI-based PA (BMI ≥30 or ≥27 with comorbidity, plus behavioral program). If excluded — which is common — CurAccess at approximately $99/month is the fastest route: it requires no insurance approval, and Currax ships directly.
The manufacturer commercial copay coupon caps Contrave at $199/month maximum for patients without coverage (as low as $0 for those with coverage). It is usable for Anthem commercial and ACA members; it excludes Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE. CurAccess at approximately $99/month is often the cheaper option when there is no Anthem coverage.
Anthem administers Medicaid through Elevance Health in multiple states; anti-obesity coverage is state-determined. Some states exclude AOM, others may cover certain agents. Contrave specifically depends on the state's preferred drug list — check your state Medicaid PDL or call Anthem Medicaid/Elevance directly.
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Read moreA weight-loss alternative that skips insurance and prior auth
Curex offers compounded semaglutide from $49/month and compounded tirzepatide from $149/month at getcurex.com/cl/glp — no insurance and no prior authorization required. This is compounded semaglutide/tirzepatide and is not the same medication as Contrave. Compounded medications have not been approved by the FDA and the FDA has not evaluated their safety or efficacy. Prescription required, subject to provider review.
- Medication + free shipping
- 24/7 provider access
- Medical intake & prescription review
Compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide are not the same medications as Contrave and are not branded or FDA-approved products. Compounded medications have not been approved by the FDA and the FDA has not evaluated their safety or efficacy.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, financial, or insurance advice. Coverage rules, prior-authorization criteria, and copay amounts change frequently and vary by plan, formulary tier, and effective date — always verify current benefits directly with Anthem before making any decision. Consult a licensed healthcare provider and your plan administrator for guidance specific to your situation. Curex offers compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide, which are not the same medications as Contrave and are not branded or FDA-approved products; prescription required, subject to provider review. Compounded medications have not been approved by the FDA and the FDA has not evaluated their safety or efficacy.