Belbuca (Buprenorphine HCl) — Medicare Part D spending
Biodelivery Sci · Rank #294 by total Part D spend · CMS data year 2023
Medicare Part D spent $149,974,661 on Belbuca (Buprenorphine HCl) in 2023, the #294 drug by total Part D spending out of 3,598 drugs. That worked out to about $13.10 per dosage unit, $756 per claim and $4,344 per beneficiary, across 198,384 claims for 34,521 beneficiaries. Average spending per dosage unit rose +6.3% from 2022. These are aggregate Medicare program figures (gross drug cost), not the price you pay.
Source: CMS Medicare Part D Spending by Drug (data year 2023). Data as of June 2026.
Belbuca (Buprenorphine HCl) spending at a glance (2023)
| Metric | Belbuca (Buprenorphine HCl) |
|---|---|
| Total Part D spending (2023) | $149,974,661 |
| Total spending (2022) | $136,081,121 |
| Year-over-year change in total spending | +10.2% |
| Average spending per dosage unit (2023) | $13.10 |
| Change in spend per dosage unit (YoY) | +6.3% |
| Avg annual change per dosage unit (2019-2023 CAGR) | +9.1% |
| Average spending per claim (2023) | $756 |
| Average spending per beneficiary (2023) | $4,344 |
| Total claims (2023) | 198,384 |
| Beneficiaries (2023) | 34,521 |
| Total dosage units (2023) | 11,364,961 |
| Manufacturer(s) | Biodelivery Sci |
| National rank by total spend (of 3,598 drugs) | #294 |
Source: CMS Medicare Part D Spending by Drug (data year 2023). Data as of June 2026.
2022 vs 2023
| Metric | 2022 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total spending | $136,081,121 | $149,974,661 | +10.2% |
| Avg spend per dosage unit | $12.32 | $13.10 | +6.3% |
| Avg spend per claim | $710 | $756 | — |
| Avg spend per beneficiary | $4,105 | $4,344 | — |
| Total claims | 191,709 | 198,384 | — |
| Beneficiaries | 33,154 | 34,521 | — |
How Belbuca compares with nearby drugs
Drugs with total Part D spending closest to Belbuca (Buprenorphine HCl):
| Drug (rank) | Total spend 2023 | Per dosage unit | Per-unit YoY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belbuca (Buprenorphine HCl) (this drug, #294) | $149,974,661 | $13.10 | +6.3% |
| Venlafaxine HCl ER (Venlafaxine HCl) (#292) | $151,208,248 | $0.46 | -1.8% |
| Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate (#293) | $150,778,930 | $0.65 | -13.2% |
| Valsartan (#295) | $147,687,750 | $0.47 | -6.0% |
| Tafinlar (Dabrafenib Mesylate) (#296) | $146,891,650 | $113.70 | +9.4% |
| Nifedipine ER (Nifedipine) (#297) | $146,639,465 | $0.57 | -19.2% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does Medicare Part D spend on Belbuca?
Medicare Part D spent $149,974,661 on Belbuca (Buprenorphine HCl) in 2023 (the latest CMS data year), across 198,384 claims for 34,521 beneficiaries. That ranks #294 of 3,598 drugs by total Part D spending. This is gross drug cost (Medicare, plan and beneficiary payments combined), not the price you personally pay.
What is the average spending per dosage unit for Belbuca?
In 2023, the weighted average Medicare Part D spending per dosage unit for Belbuca (Buprenorphine HCl) was $13.10. Compared with 2022 it rose +6.3%. A "dosage unit" is one pill, tablet, milliliter or other billing unit, so this is not the price of a prescription.
Who makes Belbuca?
CMS attributes Belbuca (Buprenorphine HCl) to Biodelivery Sci in the 2023 Part D spending file. Average spending per claim was $756 and per beneficiary $4,344.
Is the Belbuca figure the price I pay?
No. These are aggregate Medicare Part D program figures (total gross drug cost and averages across all claims), published by CMS for transparency. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan, formulary, deductible and coverage phase. Always check your plan and talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
Keep exploring
Source & what this means
Figures are from the CMS Medicare Part D Spending by Drug dataset (data year 2023, US public domain). "Total spending" is the gross drug cost — Medicare, plan and beneficiary payments combined — for Part D claims; it is not a list price, a negotiated price, or what any individual pays. Spending per dosage unit is volume-weighted across formulations. This is general public-spending information, not medical or pricing advice. Your own cost depends on your plan, deductible and coverage phase — verify with your Part D plan and a pharmacist. Data as of June 2026. See our methodology and disclaimer.
Last updated: 2026-06-20