Cost of Leqvio: Financing options, savings, and additional resources
Leqvio and Repatha are two brand-name drugs used to treat high cholesterol levels in adults. Both medications belong to a group of drugs called PCSK9 inhibitors and are administered by healthcare professionals.
Leqvio Costs
For commercially insured patients, the manufacturer of Leqvio, Novartis, offers a medical benefit copay card to help reduce out-of-pocket costs. However, the exact copay amount depends on the specific insurance plan and the terms of the copay card. Generally, copay cards can reduce the patient's share of the cost, but the exact savings vary based on the insurance plan and the copay card's terms.
Without insurance, the cost of Leqvio is typically high, as it is a specialized medication. The exact cost can vary by location and provider but is generally in the range of several hundred to several thousand dollars per administration. Specific pricing without insurance is not widely publicly available.
Repatha Costs
Repatha, like Leqvio, is a costly medication, and its cost with insurance can vary widely depending on the patient's insurance plan and coverage. Generally, copay cards or insurance coverage can help reduce the out-of-pocket costs for patients with commercial insurance.
Without insurance, Repatha is also quite expensive. The cost can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars per dose, depending on the location and provider. Specific pricing without insurance is not often publicly disclosed.
Comparison
Both Leqvio and Repatha are positioned similarly in terms of therapeutic use and cost structure, with both being administered by healthcare professionals and offering copay assistance programs to reduce patient costs. However, Leqvio may cost more than Repatha due to differences in administration methods.
Factors Influencing Cost
Several factors can influence the cost of these medications:
- Insurance Coverage: The cost with insurance depends heavily on the patient's insurance plan and any available copay cards or assistance programs.
- Administration Costs: Both medications require healthcare professional administration, which can add to the overall cost.
- Generic Availability: Neither Leqvio nor Repatha has a generic equivalent, which can limit the availability of more cost-effective options.
- Formulary Inclusion: Coverage and cost-sharing can vary if the medications are included on a formulary and their tier placement.
For more information about the cost of Repatha, see this article. For financial assistance and information about drug costs, visit websites such as Medicare Assistance Tool and NeedyMeds.
Before starting treatment with Leqvio, it's essential to contact your Medicare provider to find out if it is covered. Prior authorization may be required by insurance companies before covering Leqvio. Leqvio doses may be billed through medical coverage instead of the prescription drug portion of your insurance plan, depending on your specific insurance plan and where you receive the doses.
In some cases, if a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. Optum Perks can provide price estimates for several medications, but their coupons cannot be used with insurance benefits or copays. Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health.
Remember, it's crucial to discuss all treatment options, costs, and insurance coverage with your healthcare provider and insurance company before starting any new medication.
- The heart-health of individuals can be affected by the cost of high-cholesterol treatments like Leqvio and Repatha, which are administered by health providers.
- Health insurance plays a significant role in determining the out-of-pocket costs for these medications, as seen with copay cards offering assistance.
- Without insurance, the high cost of these drugs, such as Leqvio and Repatha, can be a barrier for some, with prices ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars per dose.
- The cost structure of these drugs is similar, with both requiring healthcare professional administration and offering copay assistance programs.
- Factors like insurance coverage, administration costs, generic availability, and formulary inclusion can significantly impact the cost of these medications.
- It's essential to check with health insurance deciders like Medicare before starting treatment with Leqvio to understand coverage and potential costs.
- Financial management, whether it's wealth-management, personal-finance, or science-based health-and-wellness information, can help individuals make informed decisions about their treatment options and expenses.
- Engaging in fitness-and-exercise and maintaining a healthy nutrition plan are also crucial components of overall health and can contribute to reducing the need for these costly medications.
