Cabometyx (cabozantinib) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat certain types of cancer. Cabometyx’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.

The price you pay for Cabometyx can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.

To find out how much you’ll pay for Cabometyx, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Cabometyx only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication but tends to cost less.

Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?

Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug exclusively for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.

If you take Cabometyx long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication: You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Cabometyx if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Cabometyx. If you’re interested in a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication: Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Cabometyx. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of Cabometyx through 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 help covering the cost of Cabometyx or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these pages, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Cabometyx and cost.

Does the price of Cabometyx vary depending on the tablet strength, such as 40 mg vs. 60 mg?

Cabometyx comes in three strengths of oral tablets: 20 milligrams (mg), 40 mg, and 60 mg. The price isn’t likely to vary based on the tablet strength.

Cabometyx’s price depends on factors such as whether you have insurance coverage or are paying out of pocket for the medication.

Other factors that may affect your cost for different strengths of Cabometyx include:

  • the pharmacy you use
  • your treatment plan and dosage
  • your specific insurance benefits (if you have coverage)
  • the quantity of the medication you receive (such as a 30-day or 90-day supply)

To find out how the prices of Cabometyx’s different strengths compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Is Cabometyx covered by Medicare?

It’s possible. To find out whether your Medicare plan covers the cost of Cabometyx, call your plan provider. There are many types of Medicare plans, and your cost and coverage depend on your particular plan’s benefits.

Keep in mind that your plan may have prior authorization requirements before it’ll cover Cabometyx. (See the “Prior authorization” section below for more information.)

You can also ask your doctor about the cost of Cabometyx if you have Medicare.

If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Cabometyx. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Cabometyx in regard to your treatment. Then, the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Cabometyx requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.

Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Cabometyx requires prior authorization.

Disclaimer: Healthline 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.