If you’re looking at treatment options for breast cancer, you may want to learn more about Kisqali (ribociclib).

Kisqali is a prescription drug that’s used to treat certain kinds of breast cancer in adults. The drug comes as a tablet that you swallow.

Keep reading for details on Kisqali and cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on Kisqali, see this in-depth article.

The price you pay for Kisqali 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 Kisqali, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Kisqali. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Kisqali in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Kisqali 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 Kisqali requires prior authorization.

Kisqali only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. Generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

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 drugmaker of a brand-name drug can sell the drug 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 Kisqali 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 Kisqali if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Kisqali. If you’re interested in getting 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 Kisqali. 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 the drug 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 Kisqali 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.

The drugmaker of Kisqali also offers one free treatment cycle for those who qualify. To learn more about this program, visit the website or call 1-800-282-7630.

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

If you still have questions about the cost of Kisqali, 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 Kisqali.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Does my dosage of Kisqali affect my cost of the drug?
  • Does Kisqali’s price depend on the quantity I’m prescribed (30-day vs. 90-day supply)?
  • If I have Medicare, can I lower my cost of Kisqali with a copay card?

To learn more about Kisqali, see these articles:

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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.