How much do blood thinners cost?

In this article:

• Does insurance cover blood thinners?
• Cost without insurance
• Price comparison
• Ways to save
• Other costs to consider

In this article

• Does insurance cover blood thinners?
• Cost without insurance
• Price comparison
• Ways to save
• Other costs to consider

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cardiovascular diseases are the world’s leading cause of death, resulting in one person dying every 33 seconds. Heart attack and stroke are among the most common types of cardiovascular disease. While there are many treatments available for these conditions, blood thinners are among the most commonly prescribed—with more than 2 million people taking blood thinners each day. 

Although the cost of blood thinners varies, they can be expensive and may require additional planning from some consumers. Below, we’ll take a look at the cost of blood thinners—with and without insurance—and give examples of ways to save on the costs of your blood thinner medication. 

Does insurance cover blood thinners?

“Insurance companies generally cover blood thinners since they greatly reduce hospitalizations and further complications of various health issues,” says Erika Gray, Pharm.D., cofounder and Chief Medical Officer of My Toolbox Genomics. “Newer blood thinners on the market typically have a higher cost, and therefore a harder time being covered.”

Whether insurance will cover the cost of your prescription medication will depend on your specific plan and insurance coverage. Although not all blood thinners will be covered, most insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid plans will cover some blood thinner medications. 

Medicaid coverage varies depending on the state, as each state has the ability to determine which prescription drugs they will include in their formulary, or drug list. 

Medicare may cover blood thinner medication under Part A (hospital insurance) as part of your medical care during a hospital stay. Otherwise, you’ll likely need Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) with drug coverage or Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) to get coverage for your blood thinner. 

Check your plan’s drug formulary to determine whether your prescribed blood thinner is covered by your health plan. In certain cases, you may be required to get prior authorization before your health insurance plan will cover the cost of your medication. You may also be required to try one or more cheaper alternatives prior to moving on to newer or more expensive medications—a process known as step therapy. 

RELATED: How much does Eliquis cost with Medicare?

How much do blood thinners cost without insurance?

Blood thinners don’t actually thin the blood but, instead, prevent blood clots from forming and keep clots that have already formed from getting bigger. 

“There are two major types of blood thinners that are currently used—anticoagulants and antiplatelets,” Dr. Gray says. “Anticoagulants slow down and inhibit the body’s process of making blood clots. Antiplatelet medications prevent platelet cells from clumping together and forming a clot.” All prescription blood thinners are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 

There are various types of anticoagulants, such as Vitamin K antagonists, direct oral anticoagulants (which include direct thrombin inhibitors and direct factor Xa inhibitors), and low molecular weight heparins (which are administered via subcutaneous injection).

There are also various types of oral antiplatelets, such as aspirin, Plavix (clopidogrel), and miscellaneous antiplatelets that include dipyridamole and cilostazol.

Regardless of the type of blood thinner you’re prescribed, it’s important to follow the medical advice of your healthcare provider and take it as directed. Some blood thinners are only taken once per day, while others may require several doses each day. In addition, some people may only need to take blood thinner medication for a few months, while others with chronic concerns may need them on a long-term basis. Certain blood thinners like warfarin will require close monitoring and dietary modifications. Newer blood thinners like Eliquis do not require this type of monitoring. Always follow the recommendations of your healthcare provider. 

Retail blood thinner price comparison
Drug name	Drug class	Price without insurance	SingleCare price	Savings options
Eliquis (apixaban)	Anticoagulant (factor Xa Inhibitor)	$815 per 60, 5 mg tablets of brand-name Eliquis	$488 per 60, 5 mg tablets of brand-name Eliquis	Eliquis coupons
Xarelto (rivaroxaban)	Anticoagulant (factor Xa inhibitor)	$807 per 30, 20 mg tablets of brand-name Xarelto	$193 per 30, 20 mg tablets of brand-name Xarelto	Xarelto coupons
Pradaxa (dabigatran)	Anticoagulant (thrombin inhibitors)	$566 per 60, 150 mg capsules of brand-name Pradaxa	$69 per 60, 150 mg capsules of generic dabigatran	Pradaxa coupons
Savaysa (edoxaban)	Anticoagulant (factor Xa inhibitors)	$532 per 30, 60 mg tablets of brand-name Savaysa	$451 per 30, 60 mg tablets of brand-name Savaysa	Savaysa coupons
Jantoven, Coumadin (warfarin)	Anticoagulant (vitamin K antagonist)	$25 per 30, 5 mg tablets of brand-name Jantoven	$4 per 30, 5 mg tablets of generic warfarin	Jantoven coupons
Plavix (clopidogrel)	Antiplatelet (oral thienopyridine)	$640 per 30, 75 mg tablets of brand-name Plavix	$4 per 30, 75 mg tablets of generic clopidogrel	Plavix coupons
Brilinta (ticagrelor)	Antiplatelet (oral thienopyridine)	$664 per 60, 90 mg tablets of brand-name Brilinta	$28 per 60, 90 mg tablets  of brand-name Brilinta	Brilinta coupons
Effient (prasugrel)	Antiplatelet (oral thienopyridine)	$699 per 30, 10 mg tablets of brand-name Effient	$18 per 30, 10 mg tablet of generic prasugrel	Effient coupons

* Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing.

Eliquis (apixaban), made by drug company Bristol Myers Squibb, is the most expensive drug on the list. The cost of Eliquis is $814 per 60, 5 mg tablets. Unfortunately, there aren’t any generic versions of Eliquis currently on the market. 

A branded generic of Coumadin, Jantoven (warfarin), is the least expensive blood thinner with a list price of $25 per 30, 5 mg tablets. Another popular generic version of Coumadin, warfarin sodium, may help you save money on your prescription. You can ask your pharmacist which generic version of Coumadin is stocked in your pharmacy.

RELATED: Eliquis vs. warfarin: Differences, similarities, and which is better for you

How to save on blood thinner costs

Blood thinners are an important part of the treatment and management of several different conditions, including heart attacks and strokes. However, these medications can cause financial hardships for some. Although the exact drug costs vary, there are ways to save on your prescription blood thinner medication:

• SingleCare coupons: SingleCare offers discounts of up to 80% on more than 10,000 prescription medications. SingleCare coupons are always free and can be used even if you don’t have health insurance. The SingleCare Prescription Discount Card is free and provides access to drug coupons you can use at local pharmacies.   
• Medicare Part D Extra Help: Medicare Extra Help is an assistance program that helps people with limited income and resources pay Medicare prescription drug plan costs, such as monthly premiums, yearly deductibles, and prescription copayments.
• Compare pharmacy prices: The cost of prescription medications will vary depending on the pharmacy you shop at. To find the lowest price, you should contact several pharmacies or use SingleCare’s drug search tool, which allows you to compare pharmacy prices to find the lowest price in your area. It is always best to get all of your medications in one place if possible, so your pharmacist has as much information as possible and can screen for drug interactions and other problems.
• Ask about a 90-day supply: Whether using insurance or paying out-of-pocket, in many cases purchasing a 90-day supply of your medicine will be less expensive than a 30-day supply.
• Switch to a cheaper alternative: Talk to your healthcare provider about cheaper alternatives and their potential side effects and other considerations. This may include switching to a generic drug or choosing a different brand-name drug that is covered by your insurance plan.
• Follow a preventive cardiovascular disease program: Following a prevention program—which may include cholesterol management, blood pressure control, and risk factor screenings—could help reduce costs by reducing the need for medication or intervention. 

Other cardiovascular disease costs to consider

Unfortunately, the cost of blood thinners isn’t the only expense associated with heart attack and stroke treatment or prevention. “Patients may have other expenses, such as the direct costs associated with taking other medications, frequent hospitalizations, doctor visits, copays, and deductibles. They may also have indirect expenses to consider, such as lost earnings from missing work,” Dr. Gray says. Proper medication adherence can help reduce some of these costs, so it’s important to find a blood thinner that works for you—at an affordable price. Talk to your healthcare provider about other ways to cut down on your medication cost. They may have additional resources available to help you pay for your blood thinner.