Otezla (apremilast) is a prescription drug used to treat conditions such as psoriatic arthritis. Otezla’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.
Otezla is prescribed to treat:
- psoriatic arthritis in adults
- plaque psoriasis in adults and certain children
- mouth ulcers associated with Behҫet’s disease in adults
The price you pay for Otezla can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. It will also depend on the cost of an appointment with your doctor to receive Otezla.
To find out how much you’ll pay for Otezla, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
The price you pay for Otezla can vary. Its cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. To save money on your Otezla prescription, explore these options.
Discover more about Otezla
Your doctor will likely start you on a low dosage of Otezla and gradually increase your dose during your first week of treatment. To do this, they may prescribe an Otezla Starter Pack. Depending on your insurance coverage, your Starter Pack price may differ from your Otezla maintenance dose price.
To find out how much you’ll pay for Otezla, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
Below are answers to some common questions about Otezla and cost.
How much more will Otezla cost without insurance than with insurance?
The Otezla price without insurance can vary depending on several factors, such as:
- where you live
- which pharmacy you use
- your treatment plan
If your Otezla is covered by insurance, the price with insurance can also vary based on factors such as:
- which pharmacy you use
- your treatment plan
- the quantity you’re prescribed (such as a 30-day or 90-day supply)
Talk with your pharmacist or insurance provider to learn more about Otezla’s price with or without insurance.
To learn more about financial help available to pay for Otezla, see the “Can I get help paying for Otezla?” section below.
You can also visit Optum Perks for price estimates for many medications. (Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline.) It’s important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
What is the Otezla $0 Co-Pay Program?
The Otezla $0 Co-Pay Program is a co-pay card offered by Amgen, Otezla’s manufacturer, to help lower your out-of-pocket cost for this drug. The card may cover part or all of your insurance co-pay for Otezla. This program may be used in combination with insurance that you get through an employer or pay for yourself. It cannot be combined with government-issued insurance, such as Medicaid or Medicare.
To sign up for the Otezla $0 Co-Pay Program, fill out and submit this form on Amgen’s website. If you prefer to enroll over the phone, you can call a company representative at 844-4OTEZLA (844-468-3952). They’ll guide you through the process.
Will Medicare cover the cost of Otezla?
Many insurance plans, including Medicare, cover Otezla. But Medicare coverage varies based on several factors, including the type of Medicare plan you have and how much you use your plan each year.
Contact your plan provider to find out if your Medicare plan covers the cost of Otezla.
Are manufacturer coupons available for Otezla?
There are currently no manufacturer coupons available for Otezla, but the manufacturer does offer other options to help pay for the drug. See “What is the Otezla $0 Co-Pay Program?” above and the “Can I get help paying for Otezla?” section below for available financial assistance options.
Otezla only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available as a generic. (A generic medication contains an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication but tends to cost less.)
Why is there such a difference in the cost of brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?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 for up to 20 years. After that, other drug makers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.
If you take Otezla 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 Otezla if approved by your insurance company. This could help lower the cost per month of this drug. If you’re interested in a 90-day supply of Otezla, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
- Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication: Otezla is typically filled and delivered to your home through a specialty pharmacy. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Otezla. And 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 with the cost of Otezla or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:
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 or pharmacist. A program called Otezla SupportPlus may be able to help with financial assistance options, including a $0 co-pay program.* For more information, visit the SupportPlus website or call 844-4OTEZLA (844-468-3952).
* For more information about the co-pay program, see the “FAQs about cost and Otezla” section above.
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.