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Blood clots are no joking matter. If you’re at risk of blood clots, then you’re at risk for even more significant medical problems that can be life-threatening, such as deep vein thrombosis, a stroke, or a pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs). Xarelto is a common medication prescribed by healthcare professionals to prevent or treat blood clots.
“Xarelto (rivaroxaban) is used to prevent blood clots in patients who are at risk of developing blood clots, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), or pulmonary embolism (PE),” explains Chris McDermott, a nurse practitioner in Jacksonville, Florida. “It works by inhibiting a clotting factor called factor Xa and is in a drug class called direct oral anticoagulants.”
Xarelto, which is a factor Xa inhibitor, blocks the factor Xa enzyme, so the clotting properties of blood are slowed. It’s commonly prescribed to patients with atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), individuals who have a higher risk of stroke, or those who are at risk of blood clots after a hip replacement or knee replacement surgery. While this potentially life-saving drug is a popular choice, it can also cost a pretty penny.
How much does Xarelto cost?
If you were to purchase a 30-day supply of 20 mg tablets of Xarelto, it could cost $697 without insurance. For people with Medicare, depending on which Part D plan they use for prescription drug coverage, Xarelto may cost anywhere from $630 to $5,029 yearly. For those with Medicare Advantage plans, it’s estimated that the yearly cost will be somewhere between $0 to $376.
“With some commercial insurance, you can get it for as little as $10 per month,” says Brian Clark, a registered nurse and CEO of United Medical Education. “Medicaid also offers very cheap options.” Since Medicaid plans and private insurance plans vary widely between states, it is more difficult to estimate these costs.
Can I get Xarelto for free?
If you take Xarelto, there are a few ways you may be able to get Xarelto for free.
Sometimes doctors’ offices are given free samples to give to patients to see how they like a medication before buying a month’s supply. If the healthcare professional you visit has these samples, ask if you can try them out.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan or a good employer-provided or private insurance plan, it’s possible that your insurance will cover Xarelto completely. On the other hand, if you have no insurance, Xarelto has several patient assistance programs like the Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation, which may donate the medication to you at no cost.
How to save money on Xarelto
If you want to find ways to save on your Xarelto prescription, luckily, there are a few options that can help you not break the bank. Check out our money-saving ideas for Xarelto below.
1. Free Xarelto coupons
You should always check the SingleCare price—for any medication. Simply type in the name of the drug you want to purchase into the search bar, in this case, Xarelto. Then, SingleCare will provide you with various discount cards for drugstores near you. You’ll want to ensure that you have the quantity, strength, and form of the medication correct before downloading the coupon for the local pharmacy.
In our search of Xarelto, the cash price of 30 days worth of 20 mg tablets without insurance would be $696.54. With a SingleCare coupon, you could save nearly $300 per month ($3,600 per year!) for the same prescription at Rite Aid—paying only $404.97 each month.
2. Patient assistance programs
Janssen Pharmaceuticals, the drug manufacturer of Xarelto, which is owned by Johnson and Johnson, has a few different savings programs for people who may not be able to afford this prescription on their own.
- If you have government-issued insurance or commercial insurance, Janssen Select may be able to lower the cost of your medication. Eligible patients can get a 30-day supply for $85 or a 90-day supply for $240, which is a bit of extra savings at only $80 per month, using their copay card. You can check if you’re eligible here.
- Commercial insurance users may also be eligible for the Janssen CarePath Savings Program. In this program, patients can pay as little as $10 per month for the first 90 days of using the medication. After 90 days, patients will pay no more than $200 every 30 days, which is still possibly lower than your insurance’s prescription price. There is a max of $3,400 in benefits per calendar year. You can check your eligibility here.
- If you do not have any health insurance, you may be eligible for The Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation, a nonprofit organization. If you qualify, you will get your prescription donated for free by Johnson & Johnson. You can fill out an application and see eligibility requirements here.
3. Extra Help with Medicare
If you use Medicare and are on a limited income, you may qualify for the Medicare Part D Extra Help Program. Extra Help will assist in covering the out-of-pocket costs of copays and deductibles for your prescription medications. You can apply for this assistance at any time. You can see program requirements and if you qualify here.
4. Look into different health insurance options
If you do not have any insurance coverage or previously used the healthcare marketplace for your insurance, it never hurts to see what plans are out there during open enrollment. Some may be lower costs or have decreased prices on your Xarelto prescription. If you have a limited income, you may even consider looking into if you qualify for Medicaid here.
5. Fill your prescription a different way
Ask your provider to write a prescription for a 90-day supply, as this could help cut costs. Or, try using a mail-order pharmacy to help save on prescription costs for Xarelto. Buying in bulk can reduce your out-of-pocket costs, as can ordering online. When buying online, be sure to order only from certified U.S. pharmacies.
RELATED: How to save on brand-name drugs
Is there a cheaper alternative to Xarelto?
There are several alternatives to Xarelto, which may cost less, depending on your location and insurance coverage. These include:
- Eliquis (apixaban)
- Coumadin (warfarin)
- Pradaxa (dabigatran)
- Plavix (clopidogrel)
- Brilinta (ticagrelor)
However, be sure to discuss the pros and cons with your provider. For example, “warfarin is a less expensive alternative to Xarelto,” McDermott says. “However, warfarin requires regular blood tests (PT/INR) to monitor its effectiveness and may interact with certain foods and medications, so it may not be appropriate for everyone.”
“One of the best and cost-effective alternatives to Xarelto is the Watchman implant,” says Clark. “This is a small device that the doctor inserts into the left atrial appendage that acts almost like a parachute to assist your heart in pumping blood. The procedure takes about 30 minutes, and 96% of patients can stop taking blood thinners within 45 days.”
While this surgery can be quite expensive, often ranging from $12,000 to $18,000, many insurance companies will help offset these costs. Since you no longer need prescriptions once healed from this surgery or have to deal with the troublesome side effects of medications (like bruising or bleeding), you may save money in the long run.
If you’re having trouble affording Xarelto, it’s always helpful to ask your healthcare provider for medical advice on what other options are available to you.
