How much is Rexulti without insurance?

Rexulti (brexpiprazole) is an atypical antipsychotic medication prescribed for major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia, and dementia-related psychosis from Alzheimer’s disease. Without insurance coverage, Rexulti’s average price is around $1,926 for a 30-day supply. Fortunately, there are alternative medications, plus other tried-and-true methods for saving money.

What is the generic for Rexulti?

In August 2022, the FDA approved a generic version of brexpiprazole for schizophrenia as an adjunctive therapy to antidepressants for treating MDD. However, since it’s relatively new, it might not always be available—or it might not always be significantly less expensive. Prices may vary between pharmacies and locations. Ask your doctor for additional information on generic options. 

Is Rexulti covered by insurance?

Insurance is often the go-to option for reducing prescription drug costs. According to Dr. Yoshua Quinones, MD, a board-certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to Lab Finder: “Insurance covers Rexulti, depending on factors such as your insurance plan, preferred pharmacy, and the availability of savings programs for Rexulti.” The drug’s FAQs state that 97% of health insurance plans nationwide will cover it. Many Medicare Part D plans will also cover it, and Medicaid may assist as well. 

But that coverage may have some stipulations. “The level of coverage can vary widely depending on your specific insurance plan, the condition being treated, and whether your doctor has provided a strong justification for its use,” says Dr. Max Ruvinov, PharmD, MBA, pharmacist and author at ChoosingTherapy. “Insurance companies might require you to try less expensive medications first—a process known as “step therapy”—before they’ll cover Rexulti.”

How much does Rexulti cost without insurance?

Many insurance providers might help pay for a Rexulti prescription, but not all do. And without insurance coverage, the medication’s out-of-pocket cost can be around $1,926 for 30, 1 mg oral tablets—that’s around $64 per tablet. For anyone who doesn’t receive help from insurance, Medicare, patient assistance programs, Rexulti coupons, or other discounts, those costs could add up to over $23,000 per year.

The manufacturer didn’t just pull that price out of thin air, though. It can take years of research and development to produce a new drug and additional years of clinical trials to prove it’s safe before the FDA approves it. All of that costs money, which is why relatively new, brand-name drugs are often expensive.

But that price isn’t set in stone either. Prices for the same drug can vary by hundreds between pharmacies and locations. For example, the SingleCare price comparison table shows an average Rexulti price of $1541.40 at Albertsons, $1686.88 at CVS, $1719.42 at Walgreens, and $1830.30 at Rite Aid.

“Your location and the terms of your health insurance plan (like deductible amounts and co-payments) also play a big role in determining the out-of-pocket cost,” Dr. Ruvinov says. Dr. Quinones agrees and adds that “dosage, generic availability, manufacturer savings programs, patient assistance programs, prescription discounts, and treatment duration” can influence how much you might pay.

Yet Rexulti isn’t the only antipsychotic medication on the market. Several alternatives might be more affordable for certain people. Each has its advantages, mechanism of action, and side effects, so consult a doctor to see which might work best for you.

RELATED: Rexulti alternatives: What can I take instead of Rexulti?

Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs, if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.

How to get Rexulti without insurance

Paying out-of-pocket for prescription drugs isn’t always easy. Fortunately, you can save money on Rexulti—even without insurance coverage. For example, Rexulti’s manufacturer (Otsuka America Pharmaceutical, Inc.) has a patient assistance program, and certain patients may be eligible for a Rexulti savings card. However, not everyone qualifies for these options. Here are a few reliable ways to decrease your out-of-pocket cost.

1. Get a SingleCare Discount Card

SingleCare works directly with pharmacies to get discounts on 10,000+ brand-name and generic drugs, including Rexulti. Presenting the discount card at a partner pharmacy, you could pay $1,373 instead of the average $1,926. Signing up is free, and the discounts are available at any of SingleCare’s 35,000+ participating pharmacies.

2. Consider generic alternatives

Not only has the FDA approved a generic version of brexpiprazole, but some similar antipsychotic alternatives also have generics, which could be much cheaper than their brand-name counterparts. For example, the average price of Abilify without insurance or discounts is around $907, but you can get generic aripiprazole for as little as $7.12 with a SingleCare coupon. Be sure to consult a healthcare provider for medical advice about whether these alternatives are viable options for your specific case.

3. Ask your doctor for a 90-day prescription

Many doctors write prescriptions for 30-day supplies. Still, certain studies have shown that patients with 90-day supplies had greater savings and treatment adherence. And if you have insurance coverage, you’ll only need to make a copayment once every three months instead of every month.

4. Look into health insurance

Getting health insurance is one of the more reliable ways to lower the cost of Rexulti. Whether it’s through an employer, Medicare, or a private plan, insurance can go a long way in paying for prescription drug costs. Just check the plan’s formulary before enrolling to confirm that it covers Rexulti.

5. Enroll in Medicaid

Medicaid, a jointly funded federal and state program, aids qualified individuals who face challenges affording health insurance. It can help eligible patients with doctor’s visits, treatments, tests, and prescription drugs like Rexulti. Each state has eligibility requirements and enrollment procedures, typically based on household income and other personal circumstances.

6. Compare prices

As mentioned above, Rexulti prices can vary between pharmacies, so if you have multiple local branches, a little calling around to ask about prices could save hundreds.