Jakafi and cost

As with all medications, the cost of Jakafi can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:

• your treatment plan
• your insurance coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• whether Jakafi has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)

To find out what the cost of Jakafi will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Jakafi. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Jakafi in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Jakafi requires prior authorization.

Jakafi is only available as a brand-name drug. It doesn’t come in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication.

Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BRAND-NAME DRUGS VS. GENERIC DRUGS?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.

If you take Jakafi long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Jakafi. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Jakafi may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need financial support to pay for Jakafi, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

• A program called IncyteCARES for Jakafi is available for this drug. This program may help provide financial assistance and other resources. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 855-452-5234 or visit the program website.
• Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
  • Medicine Assistance Tool
  • NeedyMeds

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Jakafi.

Does my dosage of Jakafi affect my cost?

It may. The cost of Jakafi depends on several factors, including your insurance coverage and the pharmacy you use.

If you have questions about the cost of Jakafi for your dosage, ask your insurance provider. If you don’t have insurance, you can ask your pharmacist about the cash price of Jakafi. That’s the amount you’ll pay out of pocket, without any discounts.

Is Jakafi covered by Medicare?

It’s possible. If you have Medicare, the amount you’ll pay for Jakafi will depend on your specific Medicare plan. For example, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans have different copay costs for brand-name drugs such as Jakafi.

If you have questions about Jakafi’s cost with Medicare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Now that you’ve learned about cost and Jakafi, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Jakafi. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Jakafi.

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

• Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage for drugs, see these articles about Medicare prescription drug plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
• More details. For details about other aspects of Jakafi, refer to this article.
• Dosage. Learn about Jakafi and dosage by viewing this article.
• Side effects. For details about Jakafi’s side effects, see this article. You can also look at the Jakafi prescribing information.
• A look at your condition. For details about some of the conditions Jakafi treats, see our list of blood and hematology articles and polycythemia vera articles.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.