Elahere (mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx) is a prescription drug that’s used to treat certain types of cancer. Elahere’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and where you receive infusions.
Elahere is used in adults to treat certain types of:
Elahere comes as a liquid solution that’s given by intravenous (IV) infusion (an injection into a vein over a period of time). You’ll receive infusions from your doctor or another healthcare professional.
The active ingredient in Elahere is mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx.* (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) For more details on Elahere, see this in-depth article.
* The reason “-gynx” appears at the end of the drug’s name is to show that the drug is distinct from similar medications that may be created in the future.
The price you pay for Elahere can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and other medications you need to take before receiving Elahere infusions. It will also depend on how much you have to pay for an office visit with your doctor to receive Elahere.
To find out how much you’ll pay for Elahere, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.
Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Elahere. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Elahere in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Elahere 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 Elahere requires prior authorization.
Elahere is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms. It doesn’t come in a biosimilar form. Biosimilars are like generic drugs. Unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.
Why is there such a cost difference between biologic drugs and biosimilar drugs?Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research and testing needed to ensure 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, other drugmakers can create biosimilar versions. This competition in the market may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. And because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower costs for biosimilars.
If you need help covering the cost of Elahere or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:
On these sites, 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.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Elahere and cost.
How much does Elahere cost without insurance?
The cost of Elahere without insurance depends on several factors, such as your dosage, where you receive infusions, and your eligibility for savings programs. The manufacture offers financial support for people with and without insurance.
Without insurance, you’ll likely pay more for Elahere than with insurance. To find out how much Elahere will cost without insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Are there other drugs I’ll need to take with Elahere? If so, what do they cost?
Before receiving Elahere infusions, you’ll need to take certain medications. These drugs help prevent serious side effects from Elahere. These drugs may include:
Some of these drugs are available as generics, which can help you save on cost. To find out how much you may pay for these drugs, talk with your doctor.
Your doctor may also prescribe certain eye drops for you to use during your Elahere treatment. These can be purchased at your local pharmacy. To find out the cost of these eye drops, talk with your pharmacist.
If you still have questions about the cost of Elahere, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Elahere.
Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:
- Are there lower cost treatment options that I could try for my cancer?
- Is Elahere covered by Medicare?
- How else can I reduce my cost of Elahere?
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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.