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Key takeaways
Biktarvy is an expensive, brand-name prescription drug used to treat HIV-1 infection, with no generic version available, making it costly without insurance coverage.
Most health insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, cover Biktarvy, but out-of-pocket costs can vary significantly based on the insurance plan’s details.
Without insurance, Biktarvy costs around $7,797 per month, but savings through programs like SingleCare or manufacturer assistance can significantly reduce this price.
Several strategies to afford Biktarvy without insurance include using discount cards, enrolling in patient assistance programs, considering generic alternatives, purchasing health insurance, and seeking help from the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) or 340B providers.
Is Biktarvy covered by insurance? | How much does Biktarvy cost without insurance? | How to get Biktarvy without insurance
Biktarvy is a brand-name prescription drug used to treat HIV-1 infection in adults and children. Combining three antiretroviral drugs—emtricitabine, tenofovir alafenamide, and bictegravir sodium, Biktarvy is a complete drug regimen used as a first-time or replacement treatment for HIV/AIDS. Biktarvy is taken as a daily tablet available in two dosage strengths.
Biktarvy is usually covered by Medicare and Medicaid insurance programs, as well as commercial insurance plans. However, Biktarvy can be expensive without insurance and there is currently no generic version available. Still, people without insurance can try different strategies to make Biktarvy more affordable.
Related: Biktarvy side effects
Is Biktarvy covered by insurance?
Most health insurance plans will cover Biktarvy without requiring a prior authorization. However, Biktary is usually on a higher tier on insurance plan formularies. Drugs that are on a higher tier usually have a higher out-of-pocket cost than drugs on a lower tier. Therefore, insurance plans may only help cover part of the drug cost.
Medicare insurance plans may help cover the cost of Biktarvy, although copay costs may vary. Medicaid, the largest payer of HIV/AIDS medical treatment in the U.S., can also help eligible patients afford the cost of Biktarvy. The actual out-of-pocket cost, though, will depend on the insurance plan’s formulary, copay cost, and deductible.
If you have insurance, check with your insurance plan’s provider to determine the cost of Biktary with your particular plan.
How much does Biktarvy cost without insurance?
Without insurance coverage, the average monthly cost of Biktarvy (30, 50-200-25 mg tablets) is $7,797, or a little over $90,000 for one year of treatment. The actual cash price of the drug will depend on the quantity and dosage prescribed by a healthcare provider, as well as the location where the drug is purchased.
Unfortunately, Biktarvy is a brand-name drug without an affordable generic version available. Three-drug HIV/AIDSdrug combinations that are similar to Biktarvy include Triumeq (abacavir, lamivudine, and dolutegravir), Stribild (emtricitabine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, elvitegravir, and cobicistat), and Genvoya (emtricitabine, tenofovir alafenamide, elvitegravir, and cobicistat). Brand-name combination drugs can be expensive, but some of them may be less expensive than Biktarvy. If you don’t have insurance, compare your available options with your doctor to find the best, most affordable option for you.
There are no over-the-counter drugs, natural remedies, or dietary supplements that can effectively control an HIV infection.
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biktarvy
(bictegravir sodium, emtricitabine, tenofovir alafenamide) | $7,797 per 30, 50-200-25 mg tablets | $3,336 per 30, 50-200-25 mg tablets of Biktarvy | See updated prices |
| Triumeq
(dolutegravir, abacavir, and lamivudine) | $3,893 per 30 50-600-300 tablets | $3,123 per 30 50-600-300 tablets of Triumeq | See updated prices |
| Stribild
(elvitegravir, emtricitabine, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, cobicistat) | $4,430 per 30 150-200-300-150 tablets | $3,492 per 30 150-200-300-150 tablets of Stribild | See updated prices |
| Genvoya
(elvitegravir, emtricitabine, tenofovir alafenamide, cobicistat) | $4,434 per 30 150-200-10-150 tablets | $3,317 per 30 150-200-10-150 tablets of Genvoya | See updated prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs. The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see updated drug prices.
How to get Biktarvy without insurance
With an annual price tag approaching $90,000, Biktarvy treatment may be too expensive for many people without health insurance or some type of funding assistance. The manufacturer, Gilead Sciences, offers a patient assistance program (Gilead Advancing Access Program), which may help eligible insured or uninsured patients save on Biktarvy.
Improving access to HIV/AIDS treatment is considered a priority by the government and the healthcare industry. There are many resources and strategies to help get life-saving HIV treatments, such as Biktarvy, at an affordable cost or for free.
1. Start with a SingleCare savings card
With a SingleCare discount card, people can save 50% off Biktarvy’s average retail price of $7,800 a month. That’s as much as $3,300 per month, or savings that add up to almost $40,000 per year. Explore current discounts at SingleCare’s Biktarvy coupon page and compare potential savings at the pharmacies nearest to you.
2. Enroll with ADAP to get free or low-cost HIV/AIDS drugs
For people without insurance, the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) may help pay for HIV/AIDS medications. The ADAP formulary and eligibility requirements vary by state since the criteria is set on a state level. Contact your state’s department of health for information, eligibility, and applications. Unfortunately, some states may have a waiting list for certain ADAP prescriptions. If that’s the case, the HarborPath ADAP Waiting List Program may be able to offer Biktarvy or other drugs donated by pharmaceutical companies for free or at a low cost. A prescribing healthcare provider can help with enrollment into the HarborPath ADAP Waiting List Program.
3. Ask the prescriber about generic HIV/AIDS drug regimens
Biktarvy is a brand-name, combination HIV/AIDS pill that can be expensive. There are, however, many affordable FDA-approved generic HIV drugs. Instead of taking a brand-name medication that includes multiple drugs, you may be able to buy the individual drugs separately as generic drugs. However, you’ll have to take two or three pills a day rather than just one. The trade-off between cost and convenience may be worth it.
Get medical advice from a healthcare professional first. There may be issues of effectiveness or serious side effects that need to be considered before switching drug regimens.
4. Consider health insurance
For medical conditions like HIV/AIDS that require lifelong and expensive medical treatment, sometimes the best way to save money is to purchase health insurance. Visit your state’s health insurance marketplace to get a general idea of the cost and quality of commercial health insurance policies in your state.
5. Enroll in Medicaid
People who can’t afford commercial health insurance may be eligible for low-cost Medicaid health insurance. Check your state’s Medicaid website for eligibility requirements.
6. Use a 340B provider
The 340B program allows certain hospitals, clinics, and outpatient care providers to purchase drugs from drug companies at a reduced price. These 340B providers can then relay these savings to low-income or uninsured patients. You may be able to get Biktarvy at a low and affordable price through a provider in your area, such as a local hospital or community health clinic. Ask your public health department for a list of local 340B providers.