If you’re looking at treatment options for certain autoimmune conditions, you may want to learn more about Zeposia (ozanimod).
Zeposia is a prescription drug that’s used to treat the following conditions in adults:
- relapsing-remitting MS
- active secondary progressive MS
- clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), which may be the first sign of MS
- moderate to severe ulcerative colitis
Zeposia comes as a capsule that you swallow. The active ingredient is ozanimod. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.)
Keep reading for details on Zeposia, its cost and how to save money on prescriptions.
Note: For more details on Zeposia, see this in-depth article.
The price you pay for Zeposia can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.
You may be interested to find out how much you’ll pay for Zeposia, such as your monthly or annual cost. You can talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider to learn more.
Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Zeposia. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Zeposia in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Zeposia 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 Zeposia requires prior authorization.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Zeposia and cost.
What’s the price of Zeposia for treating ulcerative colitis?
The price of Zeposia for ulcerative colitis depends on a few different things. These include:
- your insurance coverage (if you have it)
- the pharmacy you choose
- your eligibility for Zeposia cost-saving programs
If you have questions about what your cost of Zeposia will be, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
How much does Zeposia cost without insurance vs. with insurance?
The amount you pay for Zeposia can depend on several factors, including whether you have insurance. In general, you may pay more if you don’t have insurance.
For resources that could help you save money on Zeposia, see the “Can I get help paying for Zeposia?” section below. You can also talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider (if you have insurance).
Zeposia 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 Zeposia 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 Zeposia if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Zeposia. 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 Zeposia. 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 Zeposia 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 or pharmacist.
If you still have questions about the cost of Zeposia, 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 to your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Zeposia.
Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:
- What are my options if I can’t afford Zeposia?
- Are there lower-cost drugs that can treat my multiple sclerosis?
- Will my dosage of Zeposia affect the cost?
- Is my health insurance more likely to cover a lower-cost drug for ulcerative colitis?
- Am I eligible for any Zeposia cost-saving programs?
To learn more about Zeposia, see these articles:
To get information on different conditions and tips for improving your health, subscribe to any of Healthline’s newsletters. You may also want to check out the online communities at Bezzy. It’s a place where people with certain conditions can find support and connect with others.
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.