Qulipta savings guide

In this article:

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

In this article

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

Adults living with frequent migraines may be prescribed Qulipta (atogepant) to help prevent migraine attacks. 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. A Qulipta coupon from SingleCare, manufacturer savings programs, insurance coverage, or lower-cost alternatives may help reduce out-of-pocket costs. 

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How much does Qulipta cost?

The average retail price of Qulipta is $1,449 for 30, 60 mg tablets without insurance or discounts. Your actual cost may vary based on your dosage, prescription quantity, pharmacy, insurance coverage, and any discounts you use. 

Cost of Qulipta with insurance

According to its manufacturer, AbbVie Inc., Qulipta is covered for 98% of commercially insured people, and 45% may not need prior authorization or step therapy. Under the 2026 Aetna Standard Plan, Qulipta is listed as a preferred brand-name drug.

However, coverage requirements vary by plan. Some insurers may require prior authorization before covering Qulipta. For example, some Cigna plan members may need to meet the following criteria:

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

Copays for preferred brand-name drugs vary by plan, but they usually cost more than Tier 1 or generic drugs. For example, under the Aetna CVS Health Silver 70 HMO plan for 2024, Tier 1 drugs have a $19 retail copay, while Tier 2 drugs, which include preferred brand drugs, have a $60 retail copay. 

Qulipta’s manufacturer also states that the drug is covered for 72% of people with Medicare Part D. However, Medicare Part D plans may still require prior authorization or place Qulipta on a higher tier. In the Medicare formularies we reviewed, Qulipta was listed as a Tier 5 or specialty-tier drug under some plans. For example, Kaiser Permanente’s 2025 Medicare Part D formulary and a UnitedHealthcare Medicare formulary list Qulipta as a Tier 5 medication. Under one Kaiser Permanente Medicare Part D summary of benefits, Tier 5 drugs have 33% coinsurance, which could mean paying more than $500 per prescription, depending on the retail price.

Some state Medicaid plans also cover Qulipta, according to AbbVie. Coverage rules vary by state and plan, and some Medicaid plans may require prior authorization or step therapy. For example, New York’s NYRx Medicaid Pharmacy Program preferred drug list lists Qulipta as a preferred antimigraine agent with step therapy requirements. NYRx copays are $3 for non-preferred brand-name drugs and $1 for generic drugs, preferred brand-name drugs, and some brand-name drugs. Because formularies can change, check your plan’s preferred drug list or contact your insurer for current coverage details.

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 may make the migraine medication more affordable. 

1. Free Qulipta coupons

You can save hundreds of dollars on Qulipta with a SingleCare coupon. 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 and resource limits. If you qualify, you could pay up to $12.65 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 out-of-pocket costs. For example, New York State’s Medicaid formulary (NYRx ) lists Qulipta as a preferred antimigraine agent subject to step-therapy requirements. NYRx copays are $3 for non-preferred brand-name drugs and $1 for generic drugs, preferred brand-name drugs, and some brand-name drugs. Some state programs may also offer additional help with prescription drug costs.

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

3. Qulipta savings card

Qulipta’s manufacturer offers a Qulipta 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 do not receive benefits from Medicare, Medicaid, or other government health programs, such as state pharmaceutical assistance programs.
• Not receive benefits from private indemnity or HMO insurance plans that reimburse them for the entire cost of Qulipta.

Eligible persons may pay as little as $0 for a monthly prescription fill, though the actual out-of-pocket cost can vary depending on coverage and copay discount. The savings card has a maximum annual benefit of $7,000 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 or with limited coverage for Qulipta may qualify for help through myAbbVie Assist, the manufacturer’s patient assistance program. Eligible patients may receive AbbVie medicine for free, with no copays or shipping costs. 

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?

Several migraine prevention treatments 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.” While CGRP antagonists are commonly used for migraine prevention, insurers may require patients to try older, lower-cost medications first. 

Older migraine prevention medications 

Although most headache specialists consider CGRP antagonists first-line treatment for migraine, Dr. Gottschalk says 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 different preferences for migraine prevention, older 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 says, “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.” 

Other migraine treatment options 

CGRP antagonists may be preferred for some patients who 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, such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and biofeedback, and neurostimulation devices, such as Nerivio,” Dr. Gottschalk says.

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