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Key takeaways
Jardiance (empagliflozin) is an SGLT2 inhibitor used to treat Type 2 diabetes and reduce risks associated with heart failure and kidney disease.
Many Medicare prescription plans provide coverage for Jardiance, but coverage and out-of-pocket costs vary by specific plan.
There is no generic version of Jardiance, but there are other SGLT2 inhibitors and other Jardiance alternatives to discuss with your healthcare provider if necessary.
Jardiance is a brand-name drug that was initially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to control blood sugar in adults with Type 2 diabetes. It has since achieved additional approvals, including the treatment of children 10 years and older with Type 2 diabetes when combined with diet and exercise. Additional approvals include:
- Reducing the risk of cardiovascular death and hospitalization in adults with heart failure
- Reducing the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
- Reducing the risk of cardiovascular death, hospitalization, and worsening kidney damage in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD)
“It is part of a class of drugs called sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. This type of medication is a glucose absorption inhibitor,” explained dietitian and certified diabetes educator Angela Ginn-Meadow.
People who take Jardiance are often on it for life. Their prescriptions need to be refilled on time to keep their blood sugar levels in the safe zone. Fortunately, most Medicare and commercial health insurance companies cover Jardiance. With Medicare prescription drug coverage, the average patient can expect to pay less than $50 monthly for Jardiance.
Save up to 80% on Jardiance with SingleCare
Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.
Does Medicare cover Jardiance?
Medicare Part D prescription drug plans may cover a variety of anti-diabetic drugs, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This usually includes Jardiance, but when it does, it may require prior authorization, according to Blair Gingerich, Pharm.D., an ambulatory care pharmacist in northern Indiana.
Here’s why: Medicare covers SGLT2 inhibitors, but Jardiance is only one of several SGLT2 inhibitors. Remember, Medicare Part D plans are only required to cover two medications in each drug class, and these vary from plan to plan. Dr. Gingerich also says that not all Medicare Part D plans cover the total drug price.
RELATED: Does Medicaid cover Jardiance?
How much is Jardiance with Medicare?
More than 1 million Medicare Part D beneficiaries fill prescriptions for Jardiance yearly, according to an official Jardiance fact sheet from the Department of Health and Human Services. Most paid about $490 per year for Jardiance, which is about $41 per month. Part D beneficiaries who were eligible for the low-income subsidy, also called the Medicare Extra Help program, paid less—$20 annually, or an average of $1.67 monthly.
| Average out-of-pocket costs for Jardiance on Medicare Part D | ||
|---|---|---|
| Without Medicare Extra Help | With Medicare Extra Help | |
| Annually | $490 | $20 |
| Monthly | $20 | $1.67 |
Ultimately, the cost of Jardiance on Medicare depends on the specifics of your Medicare Part D plan or Medicare Advantage Plan. Factors that may influence your cost of Jardiance include whether you qualify for the Extra Help program, the coverage phase you’re in, and your deductible. Copays will also vary by plan formulary, choice of pharmacy, and other factors.
Jardiance assistance for Medicare patients
If you’re wondering whether you can save on Jardiance with coupons, the good news is that you can—even those with drug coverage through Medicare Part D. However, Medicare enrollees might not be able to double-dip by using both. It’s a good idea to ask a pharmacist to compare what Jardiance would cost with a coupon versus with Medicare to ensure you save as much as possible.
With a SingleCare prescription discount card, you can access Jardiance coupons to use at your preferred pharmacy. At the time this article was written, Jardiance was available with a coupon for as low as $528 for 30, 25 mg tablets. That’s about $340 less than the average retail cost of $867.
Jardiance is a high-cost drug. But it’s also necessary for many patients with Type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, there are ways to save.
Medicare Extra Help program
As mentioned, the Medicare Extra Help program is a federal subsidy that helps Medicare Part D beneficiaries afford their medications. However, there are eligibility criteria. To be considered, a person must live in the United States and be enrolled in or willing to enroll in Medicare Part D. Then, the applicant must meet specific resource and income limits, which are detailed on the website.
Patient assistance programs for Jardiance
Boehringer Ingelheim, the drug company that makes Jardiance, has a patient assistance program called BI Cares. The program provides Boehringer Ingelheim drugs at no cost to patients in the United States or one of its territories who meet its eligibility requirements. Medicare beneficiaries may be eligible if their Part D plan doesn’t provide enough coverage to make Jardiance affordable.
Jardiance alternatives
Currently, per Ginn-Meadow and Dr. Gingerich, there is no generic version of Jardiance. However, there are other SGLT2 inhibitors—drugs with similar chemical structures and ways of acting in the body.
Other SGLT2s include:
RELATED: Jardiance alternatives: What can I take instead of Jardiance?
“There is a possibility that one SGLT2 may be preferred over the other on an individual’s insurance plan,” Dr. Gingerich said. “However, there is research that states that some SGLT2 inhibitors are better than others at preventing heart disease or reducing kidney disease.” In other words, not all SGLT2s are appropriate for someone prescribed Jardiance for cardiovascular or chronic kidney disease.
If Jardiance is prescribed for blood sugar control, Ginn-Meadow points out that there is also a “combination pill” that includes empagliflozin, the active ingredient in Jardiance, and metformin. This medication, called Synjardy, may be an alternative to Jardiance for some patients. Some patients may be given two separate prescriptions, one for Jardiance and a separate one for metformin.
RELATED: Jardiance vs. metformin
Ultimately, only a healthcare provider who understands a patient’s medical history and condition can give medical advice on which prescription drug is best for that patient.
- What do drug plans cover?, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- Medicare coverage of diabetes supplies, services, and prevention programs, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (2023)
- How much does Jardiance cost per month?, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc.
- Jardiance: Medicare enrollee use and spending, Department of Health and Human Services (2023)
- Apply for Medicare Part D Extra Help program, Social Security Administration
- Prescription drug law, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (2023)
- Help with drug costs, Medicare.gov
- Boehringer Cares Patient assistance program, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals Inc. (2024)