Neulasta (pegfilgrastim) is a brand-name injectable solution prescribed to treat radiation sickness and to help prevent infection due to chemotherapy. The cost of Neulasta with and without insurance can depend on several factors.
Neulasta comes in two dosage forms: a prefilled syringe and an on-body injector (OBI) system, which is marketed as Neulasta Onpro.
As with all medications, the cost of Neulasta injection can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- the dosage form you’re prescribed
- the cost of the visit to your healthcare professional to receive doses of Neulasta
- whether Neulasta has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section)
To find out what the cost of Neulasta will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Neulasta contains the active ingredient pegfilgrastim and is a
Neulasta comes in several biosimilar forms. Biosimilars are like generic drugs except they’re made for biologics. (Generics are made for nonbiologic drugs.) Biosimilars are considered as effective and safe as the brand-name biologic, but tend to cost less.
If you’re prescribed Neulasta and you’re interested in using a biosimilar instead, talk with your doctor.
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.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Neulasta.
Is the cost of Neulasta Onpro vs. injection similar?
It depends. The cost of Neulasta Onpro versus Neulasta prefilled syringe injection can vary based on how and where it’s administered. The total price you’ll pay may depend on whether you receive your doses at your doctor’s office, a clinic, or at home.
Typically, medications that you self-inject at home are less expensive since they only include the drug cost. If you receive your doses at your doctor’s office or a clinic, you’ll need to pay for the healthcare visit as well as the drug cost and possibly other fees.
Both Neulasta (the prefilled syringe) and Neulasta Onpro (the OBI device) may require a healthcare visit. However, you may be able to self-inject Neulasta at home after your doctor shows you how. If you self-inject the drug at home, Neulasta may cost less overall than Neulasta Onpro. (Learn more about how Neulasta and Neulasta Onpro are given.)
Additional factors that can affect your prescription cost include:
- the length of your treatment
- whether you’re paying out of pocket or have insurance
- whether you’re eligible for any Neulasta savings programs
To learn more about how the cost of Neulasta prefilled syringe and Neulasta Onpro compares, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one).
How much does Neulasta cost without insurance?
The price you’ll pay for Neulasta if you don’t have insurance can vary based on several factors. But typically, the cost is higher for those without insurance. Other factors that could affect what you pay for this drug include:
- whether you apply and are eligible for any available savings programs
- the pharmacy you use
- the form of the drug you’re prescribed (see the question just above for details)
To learn the exact cost you’d pay for this medication without insurance, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You may also want to contact several pharmacies to compare their prices for Neulasta.
Is Neulasta covered by Medicare Part B?
It may be. For example, Medicare Part B typically covers medications that are given in a doctor’s office or another healthcare setting. Since you may receive Neulasta in a healthcare setting, Medicare Part B may cover it.
You may be able to self-inject the drug at home after your doctor shows you how. If you use Neulasta at home, what you pay for the drug will depend on your particular Medicare plan (if you have one). There are many types of Medicare plans, so what you pay for the drug may be based on your particular plan’s benefits.
Keep in mind that you may owe a deductible or coinsurance payment for Medicare services. You can contact Medicare or your Medicare plan provider to find out what you’ll pay for Neulasta. You may also need to obtain prior authorization before your plan will cover the cost of this medication.
Your doctor may also be able to provide information about your cost for Neulasta if you have Medicare.
If you use Neulasta long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.
Getting a 3-month supply
If you self-inject Neulasta at home, you may be able to get a 90-day supply of Neulasta. If approved by your insurance company (or the pharmacy filling your prescription), 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
Neulasta 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 Neulasta, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A program called Amgen Assist 360 is available for Neulasta. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 888-427-7478 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.
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Neulasta.
Prior authorization: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Neulasta. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Neulasta in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether to cover the medication.
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 Neulasta requires prior authorization.
Type of insurance coverage: Neulasta is given by your doctor or another healthcare professional. (You may be able to self-inject the drug at home after your doctor shows you how.) If you have insurance, the price of your Neulasta 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 Neulasta 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.