Qulipta savings guide

In this article:

• How much does Qulipta cost?
• Cost of Qulipta with insurance
• How to save money on Qulipta
• Is there a cheaper alternative to Qulipta?

In this article

• How much does Qulipta cost?
• Cost of Qulipta with insurance
• How to save money on Qulipta
• Is there a cheaper alternative to Qulipta?

Adults living with frequent migraines may be prescribed Qulipta (atogepant) as a treatment option. This prescription medication can make a real difference in preventing recurrent episodes. However, without insurance, Qulipta can cost more than $1,500 per fill, putting it out of reach for many. Thankfully, there are ways to lower your costs, whether through insurance, manufacturer savings programs, discount cards, or switching to lower-cost alternatives.

How much does Qulipta cost?

The average retail price of Qulipta is $1,585 for 30, 60 mg tablets without insurance and before discounts. What you pay for Qulipta can depend on the dose and quantity of your prescription, the pharmacy you get it from, and whether you’re using your insurance coverage or any discounts. 

Cost of Qulipta with insurance

According to its drug manufacturer, AbbVie Inc., Qulipta is covered for 98% of commercially insured people, where 45% of insured individuals don’t need to go through extra steps such as prior authorization or step therapy. The migraine drug is covered as a “preferred brand-name” drug under some plans, for example, the 2025 Aetna Standard Plan. 

However, some insurance plans require prior authorization before they approve coverage. For example, some Cigna plan members may need to meet the following:

• Be 18 and older
• Experience more than four migraine headache days per month
• Have a significant benefit from taking Qulipta if previously prescribed

Though the copay for preferred brand-name drugs can vary, you can expect to pay more than you would for drugs classified as Tier 1 or generic drugs in your plan’s formulary. For example, under the Aetna CVS Health Silver 70 HMO plan for 2024, generic drugs have a $19 copay per prescription, while preferred brand drugs have a $60 copay per prescription when purchased from a retail pharmacy.

Qulipta’s manufacturer also states that the drug is covered for 72% of people with Medicare Part D. However, it’s more likely that you will have to meet the insurance company’s criteria and get prior authorization for the drug before your plan covers it. In the plans we researched, Qulipta was often classified as a Tier 5 or specialty-tier drug, which means you may pay more for the drug even if it’s considered “covered.” For example, Medicare Part D formularies for Kaiser Permanente of Northern California and UnitedHealthcare list Qulipta as a Tier 5 medication. People with Kaiser Permanente Medicare Part D coverage can expect to pay 33% of the prescription price at a retail pharmacy, which could be more than $500 for each prescription. 

According to AbbVie, some state Medicaid plans also cover Qulipta. Depending on the specific plan, Medicaid beneficiaries may need prior authorization or step therapy for coverage, while others may not need to go through those steps at all. For example, New York state’s Medicaid 2025 formulary includes Qulipta coverage, but it requires step therapy, which is to try a triptan medication first. Beneficiaries with New York’s NYRx’s Medicaid Pharmacy Program coverage can expect to pay $3 for non-preferred brand-name drugs. Insurance companies can change their formularies at any time. It is best to know how to access your insurance company’s preferred medication lists online so your information is up to date. 

How to save money on Qulipta

If you don’t have coverage for Qulipta or your insurance plan doesn’t cover it fully, there are still ways to save. The following options can make the migraine medication more affordable.

1. Free Qulipta coupons

You can save on Qulipta with your SingleCare prescription discount card or coupon. With a Qulipta coupon from SingleCare, you could pay $953 instead of $1,585 for 30, 60 mg tablets. You can get SingleCare coupons through the SingleCare app or website, where you can compare prices at local pharmacies. Or, show your pharmacy staff your SingleCare card to see how much you can save on a single prescription. 

2. Medicare or Medicaid savings

People with Medicare or Medicaid coverage may be eligible for extra savings that can reduce the cost of Qulipta. 

For Medicare beneficiaries, one of the most valuable resources is the low-income subsidy, also known as Extra Help. This program is designed to lower prescription drug costs for those who meet certain income limits. If you qualify, you could pay a maximum of $12.15 for a 30-day supply of Qulipta. Some people are enrolled automatically, but others can apply directly through the Social Security Administration.

Medicaid coverage varies by state, but some state plans include Qulipta on their formularies, which can reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket costs. For example, New York state’s Medicare formulary for 2025 covers Qulipta as a non-preferred brand-name drug. Copays for this class of medication are $3 for covered New Yorkers. In addition, many states offer State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) that work alongside Medicare or Medicaid to provide further savings.

To know what you’ll actually pay, check with your Medicare Part D plan or your state’s Medicaid office. Coverage and copays can differ based on your location and specific benefits.

3. Qulipta savings card

Qulipta’s drug manufacturer offers a savings card for people with commercial insurance coverage. To be eligible for the savings card, the person must:

• Be 18 years or older and prescribed Qulipta 
• Have commercial insurance coverage, and not be receiving benefits from Medicare, Medicaid, or other government health programs, such as state pharmaceutical assistance programs
• Not be receiving benefits from private indemnity or HMO insurance plans that reimburse them for the entire cost of Qulipta

People eligible for the savings card can pay as low as $0 for a monthly prescription fill, but the actual out-of-pocket cost can vary depending on your coverage and copay discount. The savings card program has a limit of $7,000 in savings per calendar year, so keep that in mind when planning for long-term treatment. 

If you’re ineligible for the Qulipta copay card, you may still be able to use the SingleCare discount card or other methods to save on Qulipta. 

4. Qulipta patient assistance program

People without insurance coverage for Qulipta may qualify for help through myAbbVie Assist, the manufacturer’s patient assistance program. The program is designed to provide Qulipta at no cost for up to one year for eligible patients. 

To qualify, you must:

• Be treated by a licensed U.S. healthcare provider 
• Be prescribed Qulipta
• Have limited or no health insurance coverage
• Live in the United States, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands
• If enrolled in Medicare Part D, show proof that you were denied Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy
• Meet certain income criteria based on household size

If you meet all criteria, Qulipta may be provided free of charge through the program. For more details and to apply, visit the myAbbVie Assist website or talk to your healthcare provider for help with the application process.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Qulipta?

There is a wide range of treatments for migraines that may be more affordable than Qulipta. Christopher Gottschalk, MD, Chief of General Neurology at Yale School of Medicine, explains that Qulipta is “an oral form of a class of medications known as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) antagonists used for migraine prevention, whether episodic or chronic.” He says that, although most headache specialists consider this class of medications first-line treatment for migraine, most insurers ask for step therapy with “older drugs that were not designed to treat migraine, such as antiseizure medications, beta blockers, and so-called tricyclic drugs.” 

Though neurologists and migraine specialists may have differing preferences for migraine prevention treatments, older migraine treatments can still be effective and well-tolerated, according to Kimberly Idoko, MD, a neurologist and medical director at Everwell Neuro in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Idoko shares, “To manage chronic migraine, I usually start with older preventatives like propranolol, amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or topiramate. These are often effective and well-tolerated on their own.” 

CGRP antagonists may be preferred in some patients if they experience side effects from older migraine treatments. “Qulipta is one option, but Emgality and Aimovig are my go-to alternatives because some insurance plans cover them more easily. Nurtec is another choice that works for both prevention and acute treatment,” Dr. Idoko says. 

“There are some non-pharmacological options as well, including behavioral medicine (mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), biofeedback) and neurostimulation devices (Nerivio),” Dr. Gottschalk says.  

“The right approach always depends on the full clinical picture, including history, comorbidities, and access,” Dr. Idoko says. It’s always a good idea to discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider to find one that’s the most effective and accessible for you.