How much is Skyrizi without insurance?

Is Skyrizi covered by insurance? | How much does Skyrizi cost without insurance? | How to get Skyrizi without insurance

Skyrizi is a brand-name prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat plaque psoriasis, active psoriatic arthritis, and Crohn’s disease. Skyrizi works to reduce swelling and suppress the immune system. Without insurance, the retail price of Skyrizi is $11,382 for 1, 10 mL of 600 mg/10 mL vial. As a brand-name drug only, Skyrizi’s price may be high compared to alternative treatments. But there are ways to make a Skyrizi prescription more affordable. 

What is the generic for Skyrizi?

Skyrizi is a biologic medication administered through intravenous infusion. Its active ingredient is risankizumab-rzaa. At this time, no biosimilar versions of Skyrizi are available. A biosimilar medication is very similar to a brand-name biologic medication. They are considered as safe and effective as the original biologic. The earliest a biosimilar may be available will be in 2031. 

RELATED: Everything you need to know about biologics for psoriasis

Is Skyrizi covered by insurance?

Some private health insurance plans may cover Skyrizi, but it depends on the insurance company. According to the drug manufacturer, Skyrizi is a preferred medication for moderate to severe plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis for over 95% of private insurance plans. The plan may be more likely to provide drug coverage if a drug is preferred. 

Skyrizi may also be covered under certain Medicare plans, as Skyrizi has preferred status on 97% of Medicare Part D plans. However, the cost of Skyrizi will vary depending on the specific Medicare drug plan. 

How much does Skyrizi cost without insurance?

Without insurance, the cost of Skyrizi can vary depending on the pharmacy. The average out-of-pocket cost of Skyrizi for those uninsured is $11,381.65 for 1, 600 mg/10 mL vial. That’s more than $33,000 for the first three months of Skyrizi treatment. Other dosage forms, such as prefilled syringes or prefilled pens, may cost more.

Health insurance plans can lower the cost, especially if Skyrizi is considered a preferred drug on the plan’s drug formulary. Otherwise, the drug manufacturer, AbbVie, offers a Skyrizi complete savings card and financial assistance programs that may help. However, these options are only available if certain criteria are met. 

No biosimilar versions of Skyrizi are available, but people can consider other lower-priced drugs for plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, or severe Crohn’s disease. Examples include Otezla (apremilast), Rinvoq (upadacitinib), and Humira (adalimumab). Possible side effects, such as injection site reactions or respiratory infections, may occur. It’s best to discuss alternative treatment options with a healthcare provider if costs or side effects are a concern. 

 Additional information on serious side effects or potential allergic reactions can be obtained through the prescribing information included in the Skyrizi Medication Guide.

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 Skyrizi without insurance

Although they are effective treatment options, brand-name biologic medications can be costly. Skyrizi is no exception. Fortunately, there are alternatives to paying full price for Skyrizi if you don’t have insurance. Here are four ways to save money on doses of Skyrizi: 

1. Use a SingleCare prescription discount card

A SingleCare discount card can lower the cash price of Skyrizi to $9198 for 1, 600 mg/10 mL vial compared to $11,382. Signing up is free, and Skyrizi coupons can be used at over 35,000 participating pharmacies.

2. Discuss other treatments with your healthcare provider

Although Skyrizi is only available as a brand-name drug, there are alternative medications that may cost less than Skyrizi. These include other biologics such as methotrexate and immunomodulator medications. Ask a healthcare professional for medical advice about which treatments are right for you. 

3. Compare pharmacy prices

Different pharmacies may charge different prices for the same drug. To find the best price, shop around and compare Skyrizi prices at pharmacies to find the most affordable option. 

4. Look into health insurance

Whether you can find health insurance through an employer, Medicare, Medicaid, or private commercial insurance, securing insurance coverage is one of the most reliable ways to lower the cost of Skyrizi. But before signing up, be sure to review the plan’s drug formulary to see if Skyrizi is covered.