Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) is a brand-name intravenous (IV) infusion prescribed for certain blood cancers. The cost of the drug with and without insurance can depend on several factors, such as whether Kymriah has a savings program.

Kymriah is indicated for the treatment of the following types of cancer where it has not responded to or has come back after previous treatments:

To learn about the price of Kymriah and ways to save on your treatment, keep reading. For other information about the drug, including details about its uses, see this article.

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

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • the cost of the visit to your healthcare professional to receive the IV infusion of Kymriah
  • whether Kymriah has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)

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

Kymriah is available only as a brand-name biologic drug. It does not come in a biosimilar version. A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug). Also, biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name medications.

Kymriah contains the active ingredient tisagenlecleucel. It’s a type of immunotherapy called chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. Kymriah is made using your own T-cells (a type of white blood cell in your immune system).

WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BIOLOGIC DRUGS VS. BIOSIMILAR DRUGS?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create biosimilar versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. Also, because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.

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

  • A program called Kymriah Cares is available for Kymriah. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 844-459-6742 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:

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 Kymriah.

How much does Kymriah cost with insurance?

If you have insurance, your cost for Kymriah depends on factors such as:

  • your particular plan benefits
  • where you receive your Kymriah infusion (see “Insurance considerations” below)
  • whether you apply and qualify for a cost-savings program

To find out how much Kymriah will cost you with insurance, contact your insurance provider or doctor.

How does Kymriah’s cost compare with medications such as Yescarta, Breyanzi, Abecma, or Tecartus?

The price you would pay for Kymriah versus that of Yescarta, Breyanzi, Abecma, or Tecartus depends on various factors, including:

  • where you receive your infusion (see “Insurance considerations” below)
  • whether there are payment assistance programs for your prescribed treatment
  • whether you’re paying out of pocket or have insurance

Each of these medications uses your own T-cells to fight certain types of cancer. To learn more about the cost of Kymriah compared with other treatments for your condition, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.

Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Kymriah.

Prior authorization: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Kymriah. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Kymriah 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 Kymriah requires prior authorization.

Type of insurance coverage:Your doctor or another healthcare professional administers Kymriah. If you have insurance, the price of your Kymriah doses may be billed through your medical coverage instead of the prescription drug portion of your insurance plan. This depends on your specific insurance plan and where you receive your Kymriah doses, such as at your doctor’s office, an infusion clinic, or a hospital.

If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.

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.