Eliquis Coupons Could Save You Hundreds: How To Pay Less Before a Generic Arrives
An expert reveals why the blood clot medication is so pricey and how to cut costs now
Key Takeaways
- Eliquis is an effective blood clot-busting medication, but it comes with a high price tag
- A top doctor explains why Eliquis is so expensive and when we can expect a cheaper generic
- Top savings strategies, including coupons and assistance programs, are explored
If you’re taking Eliquis (apixaban) to prevent blood clots and stroke, you’ve likely experienced sticker shock at the pharmacy. This widely prescribed anticoagulant can cost nearly $400 a month without insurance. So why is Eliquis so expensive—and can you save with coupons or a generic version of the popular medication? Here, a leading expert in drug pricing breaks down the real reasons behind the high cost and shares practical ways you can save right now.
What is Eliquis?
Eliquis is an effective anticoagulant used to reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke in certain patients, says Aaron S. Kesselheim, MD, JD, MPH, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a faculty member in the Division of Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacoeconomics in the Department of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
“Compared with older medications like Coumadin (warfarin), it’s generally well tolerated and doesn’t require the same regular monitoring,” he explains. The downside? Cost. “The price a particular patient pays can vary depending on insurance, but overall it’s considered a high-cost medication,” Dr. Kesselheim notes.
Woman's World Answers
Without insurance, the average cost of Eliquis is $388 for 28, 5-mg tablets. Those with Medicare can expect to pay approximately $54 per month on average, while people on commercial insurance typically pay around $40 a month.
Why is Eliquis so expensive?
It’s not because the drug is expensive to manufacture, notes Dr. Kesselheim. “A major reason it’s so pricey is that, in the United States, we don’t negotiate drug prices the way other high-income countries around the world do.” He adds that drug pricing can differ between private insurance and Medicare, which can affect what patients ultimately pay.
A generic form of the medication would be cheaper, but there’s currently no widely available Eliquis generic due to the thicket of patent protections around the medication, reveals Dr. Kesselheim. The good news on the horizon? He expects a generic form to be available by 2028—though that depends on how patent challenges play out.
3 ways save on Eliquis, including coupons
While patient assistance programs can help reduce costs, eligibility requirements vary widely and they may not provide long-term support. “That’s challenging because anticoagulation [blood-clot busting] can be needed indefinitely,” reveals Dr. Kesselheim. That said, here are a few ways to save on Eliquis while we wait for a potential generic.
Eliquis Co-pay Card
If you’re commercially insured, consider the official Eliquis Co-Pay Card, which allows eligible participants to pay as little as $10 per 30-day supply or $10 for their first 90-day supply of Eliquis.
Eliquis coupons
An Eliquis coupon at SingleCare could bring your cost down to $156 for 26, 5 mg tablets without insurance. A GoodRx coupon could reduce the price to about $370 for a 60-day supply if you self-pay.
Patient assistance program
If you don’t have insurance, have an annual household income at or below $46,950 for a single person (or $63,450 for a family of two) or don’t qualify for Medicaid, you may be eligible for assistance from the Bristol Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation. Other eligibility requirements also apply.
The bottom line on Eliquis coupons and affordability
Eliquis costs are high due to drug pricing policies, not manufacturing. While a generic may come by 2028, you can save now with the Eliquis Co-Pay Card, pharmacy coupons or patient assistance programs. Talk to your pharmacist about which option works best for you—following a physician’s recommendation to stay on your prescribed dose of Eliquis can be essential, and there are resources to help make it more affordable.
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