Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) is a brand-name oral capsule prescribed to help lower triglycerides in adults. The cost of the drug with and without insurance can depend on several factors, such as whether Vascepa has a savings program.
Specifically, the FDA has approved Vascepa to reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events (such as heart attack or stroke requiring hospitalization) in certain adults* with high triglycerides. For this use, Vascepa is prescribed along with a statin drug.
Vascepa is also approved to help lower triglyceride levels in adults with very high triglyceride levels. For this use, Vascepa is prescribed along with changes in diet.
* This includes adults with cardiovascular disease and adults with diabetes and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
As with all medications, the cost of Vascepa can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- whether Vascepa has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
To find out what the cost of Vascepa will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or look below in the next section to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.
To save money on your Vascepa prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons.
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The active ingredient of Vascepa is icosapent ethyl, and it’s available as a generic drug. A generic drug is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.
If your doctor has prescribed Vascepa and you’re interested in taking icosapent ethyl instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. You’ll also need to check with your insurance provider, as it may only cover one or the other.
To find out how the cost of this generic drug compares with the cost of Vascepa, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
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 Vascepa 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 Vascepa. 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
Vascepa 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.
Vascepa may also be available at a reduced cost through the online pharmacy BlinkRx. To find out more about how this program works, visit the program website or ask your doctor.
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 Vascepa, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A program called the Vascepa Savings Card is available for Vascepa. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, call 855-497-8462 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 Vascepa.
Is Vascepa covered by Medicare?
Vascepa may be covered. There are many types of Medicare plans, so your coverage and what you pay for prescriptions will be based on your particular plan’s benefits. You can call your Medicare plan provider to learn whether your particular plan covers the cost of this drug.
Your doctor may also be able to provide information about your cost for Vascepa if you have Medicare.
How much does Vascepa cost with insurance?
If you have insurance, your cost for Vascepa will depend on factors such as:
- your particular plan benefits, including your drug copay amount
- your dosage of the drug
- whether you apply and qualify for a cost savings program
To find out how much Vascepa will cost you with insurance, contact your insurance provider or doctor.
You can also visit Optum Perks* for price estimates for Vascepa when using coupons from the site. However, Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance benefits or copays.
* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.
Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Vascepa.
If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Vascepa. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Vascepa 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 Vascepa requires prior authorization.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Vascepa, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Vascepa. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Vascepa.
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 Vascepa, refer to this article.
- Dosage: Learn about Vascepa and dosage by viewing this article.
- Side effects: For details about Vascepa’s side effects, see this article. You can also look at the Vascepa prescribing information.
- Interactions: You can find out more about what Vascepa interacts with by visiting this article.
- Information about your condition: For more information about the conditions Vascepa treats, see our cardiovascular health hub and this list of 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.