Is aimovig covered by insurance? | how much does aimovig cost without insurance? | how to get aimovig without insurance
aimovig (erenumab-aooe) is a brand-name prescription medication that prevents episodic or chronic migraines. its active ingredient is a monoclonal antibody that prevents the blood vessels in the head from widening at the start of a migraine. as a result, people with migraines experience fewer symptomatic migraine attacks each month. aimovig is administered as a subcutaneous injection using a pre-filled syringe or sureclick auto-injector once a month at a dose of 70 mg/ml or 140 mg/ml. Unfortunately, aimovig is an expensive drug with no less expensive generic version available, so uninsured patients may have to pay full cash for a prescription. however, there are several ways to reduce the cost.
Reading: How much does aimovig cost without insurance
Is aimovig covered by insurance?
commercial insurance, medicare and medicaid health plans may cover aimovig. the average patient with commercial or private insurance and an aimovig access card from the manufacturer (amgen) pays between $5 and $82 per month for aimovig, according to amgen. aimovig with medicare costs $20 or less per month for 69% of consumers, according to amgen, and aimovig with medicaid costs $10 or less per month for 99% of consumers. however, your out-of-pocket cost with insurance depends on your health plan’s deductible and copay. Some insurance plans may not cover aimovig, and some insurance companies may require prior authorization or a letter of medical necessity from the prescribing health care provider.
how much does aimovi cost without insurance?
The average list price of a monthly injection of aimovig is $890 for 1 pen of 140 mg/ml. a year of aimovig treatment without insurance will cost more than $10,000.
aimovig is a biological drug, that is, a monoclonal antibody. It belongs to a family of drugs called calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antagonists (cgrp antagonists). These medications block a molecule in the body that is responsible for the pain and most symptoms of a migraine attack.
Similar cgrp antagonist antibody drugs include vyepti (eptinezumab-jjmr), ajovy (fremanezumab-vfrm), and emgality (galcanezumab-gnlm). all three have a monthly cost comparable to aimovig. In addition to biologics, there are non-biologic cgrp antagonists that are FDA-approved to prevent migraines: Nurtec Odt (rimegepant) and Qulipta (atogepant) are taken as tablets rather than injections. however, they are much more expensive than monoclonal antibody injections.
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There are no generic versions of aimovig or any other cgrp antagonist. however, other medications used off-label to prevent migraines may have a generic version available and therefore may be more affordable. these include beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants.
There are no over-the-counter medications or supplements that can effectively reduce the incidence of migraine attacks.
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compare prices of aimovig with related drugs
Prescription drug prices often change. these are the most accurate drug prices at the time of publication. the price indicated without insurance references is the price of brand-name drugs. the single care price indicated refers to the price of generic drugs, if available. click the link under “savings options” to see up-to-date drug prices.
how to get aimovig without insurance
Without insurance, paying for expensive brand-name drugs like aimovig can be a challenge. Unfortunately, even people with health insurance can find their Aimovig prescription denied by their insurance company. manufacturer coupons, copay cards, and patient assistance programs can help, but require insurance coverage or have strict eligibility requirements. For both insured and uninsured patients who are forced to pay the full price of aimvoig, there are ways to lower that price.
1. use a free aimovig coupon from singlecare
a free singlecare coupon can be used to save money on thousands of prescriptions at participating pharmacies. search for your prescription at singlecare.com to compare prices at local pharmacies or bring a singlecare savings card to your pharmacy to find out how much you can save with aimovig or its alternatives. everyone can use singlecare, whether they have insurance or not.
2. ask the prescriber for a free sample
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Your prescribing health care provider may have a free sample of aimovig. one injection pen is enough to last 30 days. this can give you time to find a more lasting way to save money.
3. buy health insurance
aimovig will cost more than $10,000 per year without insurance coverage. At that price, it may be a good idea to buy health insurance or switch to an insurance plan that covers Aimovig. the added expense may be only a fraction of the yearly cost of aimovig or similar medications.
4. ask about patient care
You may qualify for amgen’s patient assistance program, the foundation of amgen’s safety net. Contact amgen for additional information and enrollment forms.
5. look for the best price
Prices can vary drastically between pharmacies, especially when it comes to high-priced prescription drugs. Finding the lowest pharmacy price for aimovig could save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars per year. you can use singlecare to find a pharmacy near you.
6. ask your doctor about other migraine prophylactics
When all else fails, it may be necessary to make do with other medications to help reduce the monthly incidence of migraine attacks. These drugs are effective therapies, but they work differently than drugs like Aimovig. therefore, they may be contraindicated in certain people or have different side effects than aimovig. most are common medications available in inexpensive generic versions. These include blood pressure medications, antiepileptics, and antidepressants. ask your provider for medical advice and full prescribing information before switching medications.
next: common side effects of aimovig
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