Ocrevus is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat certain types of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults. Specifically, Ocrevus is used to treat:

For more information about Ocrevus’s use for MS, refer to this article.

Drug details

Here are some details about Ocrevus, which is a biologic:

  • Active ingredient: ocrelizumab
  • How it’s given: IV infusion
  • Biosimilar version: not currently available

Read on to learn about Ocrevus infusion costs, as well as how to save money on prescriptions.

As with all medications, the cost of Ocrevus infusions 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 doctor or another healthcare professional to receive doses of Ocrevus
  • whether Ocrevus has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)

To find out the Ocrevus infusion price you’ll likely pay, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.

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

If you need financial support to pay for Ocrevus, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available.

Ocrevus copay assistance programs

A program called Ocrevus Connects is available for Ocrevus. The program offers an Ocrevus copay card for people with private or commercial insurance. Your Ocrevus cost with insurance may be less if you’re eligible for the Ocrevus copay card. People with public insurance, such as Medicare, aren’t eligible for this copay card. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 844-OCREVUS (844-627-3887) or visit the program website.

You may also be eligible for support from the Genentech Patient Foundation. This is a program from the drug’s manufacturer. The program offers financial assistance to people who do not have insurance or cannot afford their Ocrevus prescription. To learn more, call 888-941-3331 or visit the program’s website.

There are also independent copay assistance programs separate from Genentech, the manufacturer of Ocrevus. These programs may offer financial assistance to help you afford your Ocrevus prescription. To learn more, see this website.

Other resources

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 Ocrevus.

What does Ocrevus cost per dose?

The price per dose of Ocrevus and cost per infusion depend on several individual factors. These include:

  • whether you have insurance and what type of plan you have
  • whether you are paying out of pocket
  • what your doctor charges to give your Ocrevus infusion (this is added to the price per dose and may increase your cost per infusion)
  • your treatment plan
  • whether you’re eligible for the Ocrevus savings program (for details, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section above)

Your doctor can give you more information about Ocrevus’s price per dose. If you have insurance, you can also contact your insurance provider for more information.

How much does Ocrevus cost per year?

The Ocrevus annual cost depends on if you have insurance or are paying out of pocket. It also depends on your treatment plan and if you’re eligible for any cost savings programs offered by the drug’s manufacturer or other patient assistance programs.

Your doctor or insurance provider can give you more information about the cost of Ocrevus based on your individual treatment plan.

How much does Ocrevus cost with Medicare?

The cost of Ocrevus with Medicare depends on your individual Medicare plan. Not all Medicare plans cover every medication. Medicare plans may also have prior authorization requirements to cover the cost of Ocrevus. (For information about prior authorization, see the “Ocrevus price” section above.)

Call your plan provider to learn about the coverage and cost for Ocrevus. They can give you the exact cost of Ocrevus. You can also talk with your doctor about the cost of the drug.

Ocrevus contains the active ingredient ocrelizumab, and it’s available only as a brand-name biologic drug. It doesn’t 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.

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 take Ocrevus long term, you may be able to lower its cost if you’re eligible for certain savings programs. For more details, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section above.

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

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

Here are some other resources you may find helpful:

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.