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Humira cost savings and tips

One of the reasons that Humira is so expensive is because it’s a complex medication to make

Humira cost without insurance | Humira cost with insurance | Ways to save | Humira alternatives

Humira is a prescription medication that is used to reduce the signs and symptoms of medical conditions like arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and ankylosing spondylitis. It’s a tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blocker drug and is one of the best-selling medications in the world. Let’s take a look at how much Humira costs, whether or not insurance covers it, and how to save money on it. 

How much does Humira cost? 

Humira (adalimumab) is a very expensive drug that costs more than $8,000 for a carton of two subcutaneous kits (10 mg/0.1 mL). Two subcutaneous kits typically contain a month’s supply of Humira, which means it can cost upwards of $96,000 to take the medication for a whole year. 

It’s possible to pay less for Humira if you have a discount card or insurance plan that covers it, but Humira is an expensive drug regardless of whether or not you’re able to find a discounted price. One of the reasons that Humira is so expensive is that it’s a complex medication to make. DNA technology must be used to create proteins for the drug-a process that can’t be replicated, unlike with synthetically manufactured medications. Humira works by blocking and reducing the effects of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which causes inflammation. People with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn’s disease produce too much TNF, which is why they’re often prescribed Humira. 

Factors influencing the price of Humira

Understanding the cost of Humira can be very difficult, especially when you are not used to taking medications that are so expensive. Many patients ask about factors influencing the price of Humira. Here are some reasons that the price of biologics such as Humira is so high:

  • Biologics are made of living cells, are temperature-sensitive, and are more likely to require special storage.
  • Biologics require specialized materials and equipment for research, development, and testing.
  • Biologics have a large molecular size and must be given by injection or infusion. This is associated with higher costs for storage as well as healthcare provider costs.
  • The population is aging, and biologics are in high demand.
  • Few competitors (biosimilars) are available, which allows prices to stay higher. 

How much does Humira cost without insurance?

The out-of-pocket cost of Humira, without insurance, can be more than $8,000 per month. Continue reading to learn more about insurance coverage on Humira and other ways to save. For example, by using a free SingleCare card or coupon, you can pay about $6,200 for a one-month supply of Humira. This would save you nearly $2,000 per month, and over $20,000 per year.

Does insurance cover Humira?

Sometimes insurance plans will help cover the cost of Humira, which makes it easier for those who need the medication. Humira is covered by most insurance plans, but individual plans may vary in how much they cover. 

 Some people who receive employer/retiree commercial prescription coverage will be eligible for a Humira Complete Savings Card. The Humira Complete Savings card is only available to people who have private insurance coverage from their employer or to people who have purchased insurance coverage directly from insurance companies. Copay assistance is not available for people who receive prescription reimbursement through federal, state, or government-funded insurance programs. 

People without private insurance coverage may be able to get Humira at a reduced cost through Medicare or Medicaid. Medicare is a federal health insurance program for adults 65 years and older and for individuals with certain disabilities. Prescription coverage is available through Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) and prescription plans (Part D). 

Medicare Advantage Plans provide Medicare Part A and B coverage (hospital and medical insurance), and can sometimes include prescription coverage. Medicare Part D can be added to Medicare Parts A and B for additional prescription coverage. 

Most Medicare plans list Humira as a tier 5 drug because it’s a specialty medication, and tier 5 drugs typically cost more than tier 1-4 drugs. Because Medicare lists Humira as a tier 5 drug, most people will need Medicare Part D in addition to Medicare Part C, but it’s possible for some Part C Plans to cover Humira on their own. 

Some people with Medicare coverage will be eligible for the Extra Help subsidy, which can lower the cost of Humira as well. Eligibility for this subsidy is determined by Medicare, and the subsidy can’t be combined with the Humira Complete Savings Card. You can visit Medicare.gov or call the number on your Medicare insurance card to see if you qualify for the Extra Help subsidy. 

Medicaid works a little bit differently than Medicare. It’s run by the federal government and individual states and provides medical assistance for low-income individuals and families. All 50 states offer pharmacy coverage as a benefit. Some state Medicaid programs may cover the cost of Humira, but coverage will vary from state to state. Visit Medicaid.gov to learn more about whether or not Humira would be covered for you based on where you live. 

The best way to see if your insurance covers Humira is to check your individual insurance plan. Your insurance company’s website may give you the information you need, or you may have to call your insurance provider directly. Humira’s website, Humira.com, also has some great resources, and they even have insurance specialists you can call who will help you determine if your insurance will cover Humira. 

5 ways to save on Humira 

Getting the best price on Humira may require doing a little research to make sure you’re saving as much as you can. Here are five of the best ways to get Humira at a cheaper price. 

1. Insurance

Using the benefits of your health insurance plan to your advantage is one of the best ways to save money on Humira. As mentioned earlier, some insurance plans will cover the cost of Humira, or reduce your out-of-pocket cost. People with private insurance coverage may be eligible for a Humira Complete Savings Card. Medicare or Medicaid may also reduce the cost of Humira depending on the individual plan you have and/or where you live. It’s not possible, however, to be on Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, TRICARE, Medicare Advantage, or Veterans Affairs programs and get the Humira Complete Savings Card. 

It’s important to note that most insurance plans will require you to complete a prior authorization form or step therapy process before they will agree to cover the cost of Humira. A prior authorization form is an approval of coverage from your insurance company that is used to help ensure the drug you’re purchasing is the most appropriate and cost-effective medication being used. The step therapy process requires that other drugs are tried for a certain amount of time before moving on to Humira. This ensures that potentially cheaper drugs are tried first for treating your specific medical condition. Restrictions can make it difficult to get insurance coverage for Humira, but you can always ask your doctor for an appeal if your insurance doesn’t cover Humira.

2. Humira coupons

Using coupons can be a great way to pay less for Humira. The Humira Complete Savings Card is offered by AbbVie Inc., the manufacturer of Humira, but not everyone is eligible for this savings card. For those who aren’t eligible, using a SingleCare coupon is a great alternative. 

3. Manufacturer rebates

Sometimes a pharmacy won’t accept the Humira Complete Savings Card, which could leave you with a hefty bill. If this happens, you may still be able to get Humira at a lower cost by using the Humira Complete Prescription Rebate. Rebates are only available for people who have commercial prescription coverage or for people who are self-insured. If you meet these requirements, though, you may be able to collect your receipts from Humira and receive a rebate check from Opus Health. If you want to learn more about saving money on Humira through rebates, visit the manufacturer’s website.

4. AbbVie Patient Assistance Program

People who are unemployed or underinsured may qualify for the AbbVie Patient Assistance Program. This program provides no-cost assistance to those who meet certain income criteria. It’s free to apply to the program, and those who qualify receive their medication completely free of cost. Visit AbbVie’s website to see if you qualify to get Humira for free. 

5. Ask your doctor or healthcare provider for assistance

 Ask your healthcare provider if they know of any other programs that can help with the cost of Humira. Or, if all options have been attempted and your prescription is still not affordable, you can ask your healthcare provider if there is a less expensive alternative to Humira that may be effective for you. 

Is there a generic version of Humira? 

Oftentimes there will be generic versions of brand-name medications that are more affordable for consumers. When it comes to biologic drugs, we refer to biosimilars rather than generics. According to the FDA, a biosimilar is “a biologic that is highly similar to, and has no clinically meaningful differences from, another biologic that’s already FDA approved.” Biosimilars must be given the same way, have the same strength and dosage forms, and have the same potential side effects, as the original biologic. 

Ever since 2002, AbbVie has carefully constructed patents to make sure that Humira is protected from biosimilar competition. In 2016, the manufacturer Amgen made a drug called Amjevita, which became the first biosimilar to Humira to get approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Amgen was granted the right to launch its biosimilar in Europe in 2018, and was released in the United States in January 2023. The following list of Humira biosimilars is now available in the U.S.: 

  • Amjevita by Amgen
  • Cyltezo by Boehringer Ingelheim
  • Hyrimoz by Sandoz
  • Hadlima by Samsung Bioepis
  • Hulio by Mylan
  • Yusimry by Coherus BioSciences, Inc. 
  • Idacio by Fresenius Kabi
  • Yuflyma by CELLTRION, Inc.

Abrilada by Pfizer is another biosimilar that is expected to be available soon. Until the release of biosimilars made by other pharmaceutical companies, U.S. citizens will continue to have to purchase Humira at full cost if it’s not covered by their insurance or if they’re unable to get it at a cheaper price. 

Humira alternatives

There are other prescription drugs on the market that can treat rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, hidradenitis suppurativa, and other conditions that Humira treats. Because these other drugs are biologic drugs though, they’ll be similar in price to Humira. If the side effects of Humira become too much for someone, they may have to look into taking a different medication. Here are the most common side effects of Humira to be aware of:

  • Headaches
  • Rash
  • Nausea
  • Injection site reactions
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Upper respiratory tract infections
  • Back pain

For those who are interested in alternatives to Humira, you can talk to your doctor about trying the following options.

Humira alternatives

Uses Average retail price SingleCare savings
Enbrel (etanercept)

Note: Enbrel can’t treat Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis like Humira can.

$8,559 per 4, 50 mg/ml injectable solution Get coupon
Remicade (infliximab)
  • Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Plaque psoriasis
  • Ankylosing spondylitis
No pricing available at this time See details
Simponi (golimumab) More than $7,000 per monthly injection Get coupon

“The appropriate biologic to prescribe depends on the patient’s unique situation and other factors such as medical history, duration of the condition, severity of the condition, past medical treatments, and treatment goals,” says Anna H. Chacon, MD, a U.S. board-certified dermatologist based in South Florida. 

This is why it’s so important to talk with your doctor about whether or not Humira is right for you. Your doctor will be able to give you medical advice that’s specific to you, and may also be able to help you find a way to save on your Humira prescription.