{"id":633840,"date":"2025-10-07T17:12:40","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T21:12:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=633840"},"modified":"2026-01-15T15:17:53","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T20:17:53","slug":"nurtec-assistance-for-medicare-patients","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/nurtec-assistance-for-medicare-patients\/","title":{"rendered":"Nurtec assistance for Medicare patients"},"content":{"rendered":"

Anyone who has experienced the head-throbbing, nausea-inducing effects of a migraine knows that when they strike, all you want is relief, and <\/span>Nurtec<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>rimegepant<\/span>) can deliver it. As a calcitonin gene-related peptide (<\/span>CGRP<\/span>) receptor antagonist, it blocks a protein related to <\/span>migraine attacks<\/span>. It\u2019s approved to treat acute migraines with or without aura, as well as prevent <\/span>episodic migraines<\/span>. But <\/span>Nurtec<\/span> can also be pricey for some, and you may wonder if your <\/span>Medicare<\/span> plan will help cover it. Many plans will, but there are several factors to consider.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

\n\t\t\t

Save up to 80% on Nurtec with SingleCare<\/p>\n\t\t\t

Different pharmacies offer different prices for the same medication. SingleCare helps find the best price for you.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tNurtec 75 mg (8 Disintegrating tablets)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$923.06\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$923.06\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Nurtec prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

Does <\/span>Medicare<\/span> cover <\/span>Nurtec<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many times, yes. <\/span>Medicare<\/span> Parts A and B do not include <\/span>prescription drug<\/span> plans, so they won\u2019t cover Nurtec. However, Part D beneficiaries will typically receive some coverage. In fact, <\/span>according to the Centers for <\/span>Medicare<\/span> and <\/span>Medicaid<\/span> Services<\/span><\/a>, Part D plans issued over $478 million for <\/span>Nurtec<\/span> coverage in 2023. That\u2019s around $5,706 per beneficiary.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not always simple, though. Some <\/span>health insurance plans<\/span> might require <\/span>prior authorization<\/span><\/a>, which is how the <\/span>insurance company<\/span> confirms that the medication is medically necessary. \u201cTypical <\/span>prior authorization<\/span> for <\/span>Nurtec<\/span> includes diagnosis confirmation; there needs to be documentation that a patient has migraines with or without aura (often with a required minimum number of monthly migraine days),\u201d says <\/span>Edmond Hakimi<\/span><\/a>, DO<\/span>, medical director at <\/span>Wellbridge<\/span><\/a>. \u201cAdditionally, step therapy is often required. This means proof that a patient has tried and failed, had inadequate responses, or intolerance to at least two different triptans (like sumantriptan or rizatripan).\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, Dr. Hakimi says some <\/span>insurance companies<\/span> require the prescription to come from a neurologist or headache specialist rather than a primary care provider in order for the insurance company to approve the medication. This, in itself, may make it difficult for patients to receive medication, especially if they are not established with a neurologist or live in a rural area.<\/span><\/p>\n

How much does <\/span>Nurtec<\/span> cost with <\/span>Medicare<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

For anyone paying completely out of pocket, eight tablets of <\/span>Nurtec<\/span> can cost around $1,388. However, the drug might cost significantly less for people whose <\/span>Medicare Part D<\/span> plans cover it. Your specific <\/span>copay<\/span>, however, depends on your plan\u2019s <\/span>deductible<\/span> and coinsurance policies. It is best to check online with your insurance, as the insurance company\u2019s policy and your out-of-pocket cost can change anytime.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Typically, you\u2019ll need to pay the full cost of <\/span>Nurtec<\/span> (or other <\/span>prescription medicine<\/span>) until your <\/span>deductible is reached<\/span>. While <\/span>deductibles<\/span> vary, <\/span>Medicare Part D<\/span> deductibles<\/span> are capped at $615 in 2026. Once your out-of-pocket costs for medication, copays, and coinsurance reach $2,100, Medicare will cover 100% of your costs for covered <\/span>prescription drug<\/span>s for the rest of the year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Nurtec<\/span> assistance for <\/span>Medicare<\/span> patients<\/span><\/h2>\n

Even with <\/span>insurance coverage<\/span>, <\/span>Nurtec<\/span> often comes with some costs. There isn\u2019t an approved generic version yet, but there are still several ways to save money. Here are a few of the most common.<\/span><\/p>\n

Get free <\/span>Nurtec<\/span> coupons<\/span><\/h3>\n

A <\/span>SingleCare coupon card<\/span><\/a> can knock the 8-pill price of <\/span>Nurtec<\/span> down from $1,388 to as low as $923. It\u2019s completely free. Simply download your coupon and present it at a participating pharmacy. You can use SingleCare even if you\u2019re enrolled in a <\/span>Medicare Part D<\/span> plan, but you can\u2019t use the savings on top of your <\/span>Medicare<\/span> coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Can I use SingleCare if I\u2019m on Medicare?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Look into <\/span>Pfizer<\/span> patient assistance<\/span><\/h3>\n

Consider <\/span>Medicare<\/span> Extra Help<\/span><\/h3>\n

Medicare<\/span> has its own program (Extra Help) that helps beneficiaries who need assistance paying their prescription expenses, including premiums, <\/span>deductibles<\/span>, and coinsurance. <\/span>Eligible patients<\/span> have to earn less than $23,475 per year, and can\u2019t have more than $18,090 in resources (stocks, bonds, etc.). For married couples, those numbers go up to $31,725 and $36,130, respectively. People who <\/span>qualify for Extra Help<\/span><\/a> will have a $0 <\/span>deductible<\/span>, and they\u2019ll only pay up to $12.65 for each brand-name drug.<\/span><\/p>\n

Apply for <\/span>Medicaid<\/span><\/h3>\n

Whether or not you have insurance, <\/span>Medicaid<\/span><\/a> can help cover your out-of-pocket prescription costs. Like Extra Help, qualifying applicants have to meet certain income requirements, but since it\u2019s partially funded by state governments, these can vary between states. <\/span>This page<\/span><\/a> lets you look up the specific requirements by state or check your state government\u2019s website. It\u2019s also worth noting that any <\/span>Medicare<\/span> beneficiary who enrolls in <\/span>Medicaid<\/span> is eligible for Extra Help benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ask about alternatives<\/span><\/h3>\n

Nurtec<\/span> doesn\u2019t have an approved generic version<\/span><\/a> yet, and the drug\u2019s patent doesn\u2019t expire until 2039. But other migraine medications might be less expensive or receive better coverage from your <\/span>insurance plan<\/span>. According to Dr. Hakimi, when it\u2019s used to treat acute <\/span>migraine attacks<\/span>, <\/span>Nurtec<\/span> alternatives<\/span><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n

Nurtec<\/span>\u2019s manufacturer, <\/span>Pfizer<\/span>, shares a <\/span>list of resources<\/span><\/a> for people who need additional assistance paying for their prescription medications. However, you have to meet certain <\/span>eligibility<\/span> requirements to qualify. <\/span><\/p>\n