Does Medicare Cover Linezolid?

Christian Worstell | January 03, 2024

Linezolid is an antibiotic that treats bacterial infections, including pneumonia and skin infections. Learn whether linezolid is covered under Medicare.

Linezolid is a critical antibiotic in the treatment of bacterial infections and pneumonia, and it's covered by 100% of Medicare prescription drug plans when medically necessary. Learn more about linezolid and its costs to Medicare beneficiaries.

What is Linezolid?

Linezolid, the generic form of Zyvox, is a medication in a class known as oxazolidinone antibiotics. The drug works by preventing the growth of bacteria. It's used to treat bacterial infections, pneumonia and certain types of skin infections.

It's important to note that the drug is not effective against viral infections or the flu. Linezolid is available in tablet form, oral suspension and IV infusion.

Typically, the course of treatment with this drug ranges from 10 to 28 days. As with any antibiotic, it's important to complete the course of treatment even if you begin to feel better.

What are the Side Effects of Linezolid?

The most common side effects experienced with this drug are diarrhea, headache, nausea, vomiting and stomach pain. In some cases, individuals may experience white spots in the mouth, itching or burning sensations in the vagina, skin rash or dizziness.

It's important to let your doctor know if these symptoms develop or become severe. When taking this drug, you should avoid ingesting foods high in tyramine, such as alcoholic beverages, smoked or fermented foods and aged cheeses.

How Much Does Linezolid Cost?

Once the deductible for Medicare Part D coverage is met for the year, the cost of linezolid while in the initial coverage stage ranges from $1 to $69, according to GoodRx.com. For 2024, the Medicare deductible is $545. After the initial coverage stage, the cost of linezolid will be higher in the Medicare donut hole. You may qualify for prescription drug cost assistance that will reduce or eliminate your out-of-pocket costs.

Are There Any Restrictions on Coverage for Linezolid?

Some Medicare prescription drug plans may have a quantity limit for linezolid. Additionally, coverage for linezolid in IV form, instead of oral formulations, may differ for Medicare beneficiaries. While Part D provides coverage for the drug itself, the administration of the medication via IV is separately covered under Part B benefits.

Beneficiaries should be aware that additional cost shares may apply for the administration of IV-infused medications, including IV antibiotics.

About the Author

Christian Worstell is a senior Medicare and health insurance writer with HelpAdivsor.com. He is also a licensed health insurance agent. Christian is well-known in the insurance industry for the thousands of educational articles he’s written, helping Americans better understand their health insurance and Medicare coverage.

Christian’s work as a Medicare expert has appeared in several top-tier and trade news outlets including Forbes, MarketWatch, WebMD and Yahoo! Finance.

While at HelpAdvisor, Christian has written hundreds of articles that teach Medicare beneficiaries the best practices for navigating Medicare. His articles are read by thousands of older Americans each month. By better understanding their health care coverage, readers may hopefully learn how to limit their out-of-pocket Medicare spending and access quality medical care.

Christian’s passion for his role stems from his desire to make a difference in the senior community. He strongly believes that the more beneficiaries know about their Medicare coverage, the better their overall health and wellness is as a result.

A current resident of Raleigh, Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. You can find Christian’s most recent articles in our blog.

If you’re a member of the media looking to connect with Christian, please don’t hesitate to email our public relations team at Mike@MyHelpAdvisor.com.