Rebif and cost

As with all medications, the cost of Rebif can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:

• your treatment plan
• your insurance coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• whether Rebif has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)

To find out what the cost of Rebif will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Rebif contains the active ingredient interferon beta-1a, and it’s available only as a brand-name biologic drug. It doesn’t come in a biosimilar version.

A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug). Biologic drugs are made from living cells so it’s not possible to make an exact copy. In contrast, a generic drug is an exact copy of a drug made from chemicals. As with generics, biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name medications.

WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BIOLOGIC DRUGS VS. BIOSIMILAR DRUGS?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create biosimilar versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. Also, because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.

If you take Rebif long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Rebif. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Using a mail-order pharmacy

Rebif may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via mail order.

If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need financial support to pay for Rebif, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

• A program called MS Lifelines is available for Rebif. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 1-877-447-3243 or visit the program website.
• Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:
  • Medicine Assistance Tool
  • NeedyMeds

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Rebif.

What is the price of a Rebif injection and how much does Rebif cost per month and year?

The price of an injection and what you pay for Rebif per month and year will depend on many factors. These factors include:

• whether you have insurance coverage
• whether you apply and qualify for any available savings programs
• the pharmacy you use
• your Rebif dosage and treatment plan
• the form of the drug you’re prescribed (prefilled syringe or prefilled auto-injector)

If you use insurance, the price you pay for a Rebif injection will also depend on:

• your specific plan benefits, including your drug copay amount
• any prior authorization requirements you have for drug coverage (see “Insurance considerations” just below)

Typically, your healthcare professional will show you how to self-inject Rebif at home. (Rebif is given by subcutaneous injection, usually three times per week.) To learn the exact cost you’d pay for a Rebif injection, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have one). You can ask them about the monthly and annual cost of Rebif treatment.

Is Rebif covered by Medicare?

It may be, but your coverage and what you pay for prescriptions will be based on your particular plan’s benefits. You can call your Medicare plan provider to learn whether your plan covers the cost of this drug. They can also tell you what your Rebif copay will be.

Your doctor may also be able to provide information about your cost of Rebif if you have Medicare.

Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and take Rebif.

If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Rebif. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Rebif in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered.

If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Rebif requires prior authorization.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.