Is Eliquis going to be cheaper in 2026?

Yes, Eliquis is significantly cheaper in 2026 for people with Medicare Part D coverage.

Medicare Price Reductions

• New Price: A 30-day supply of Eliquis drops to $231 under the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) negotiated price.
• Previous Cost: The 2023 baseline cost for the same supply was $521, marking a 56% price reduction.
• The Cause: This price cut comes from the first round of government price negotiations authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

What This Means For You

• Automatic Savings: Eligible Medicare beneficiaries receive these lower prices automatically when filling prescriptions through participating Part D plans.
• Out-of-Pocket Cap: Savings are further supported by Medicare’s annual out-of-pocket prescription spending limits.
• Non-Medicare Patients: These specific negotiated rates do not apply automatically to commercial insurance or cash-paying patients under 65, though alternative manufacturer discount programs exist.

Yes, the Trump administration negotiated voluntary manufacturer agreements and featured Eliquis on the TrumpRx initiative, resulting in a direct-to-consumer list price drop of about 43% (to around $346 a month) alongside a pledge from Bristol Myers Squibb to supply free doses through Medicaid programs.

Details on Eliquis Pricing and Trump Administration Deals

• Direct-to-Consumer Price: The administration's promotion and TrumpRx platform list Eliquis at $346 per month, reflecting a 43% reduction from the standard U.S. list price of $606.
• Medicaid and Manufacturer Pledges: Bristol Myers Squibb (co-manufacturer of Eliquis) signed a voluntary agreement with the White House under a most-favored-nation framework to provide free or heavily rebated doses to state Medicaid programs.
• Broader Context: While the administration's direct deals and TrumpRx lowered specific cash-pay and direct prices, independent health policy analyses from groups like KFF note that the $346 direct price remains higher than the separate Medicare-negotiated price of $231 for 2026, which stems from the implementation of the prior Biden-administration's Inflation Reduction Act negotiations.

The lowest cash price for Eliquis (apixaban) without standard insurance starts around $345 to $348 for a 30-day supply (60 tablets) using discount services like GoodRx or the manufacturer's Eliquis Direct-to-Patient program.

U.S. Discount & Direct Programs

• GoodRx / SingleCare: Coupons lower the retail price of 60 tablets (5 mg) from roughly $468 down to about $348 at major U.S. pharmacies.
• Eliquis Direct-to-Patient: Offers an out-of-pocket 30-day supply for $345 with home delivery if you are uninsured or have high out-of-pocket costs.
• Commercial Co-Pay Cards: Eligible patients with commercial insurance can pay as little as $10 per month.
• Patient Assistance Programs: The manufacturer provides free medication to qualifying low-income, uninsured individuals.

International Options

• Canadian & International Online Pharmacies: Accredited international pharmacies list brand-name or generic apixaban starting between $0.70 and $1.91 per tablet (roughly $42 to $115 per month depending on bulk size), though shipping fees and import rules apply.

Generic Eliquis (apixaban) is expected to become available in the United States by April 1, 2028.

Generic Status and Timeline

• FDA Approval: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration already approved the first generic versions of apixaban in December 2019.
• Patent Delays: Manufacturers cannot sell these approved generics in the U.S. yet because of active patent protections and legal settlements held by Bristol Myers Squibb and Pfizer.
• Market Launch: Court rulings and agreements set April 1, 2028, as the earliest date these generic medications can officially launch in pharmacies.

Cost and Savings Options

• Current Prices: Brand-name Eliquis remains costly while patent rules block competition.
• Medicare Relief: Under the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare Part D beneficiaries qualify for a negotiated maximum price of $231 per 30-day supply.
• Alternative Savings: Commercial insurance copay cards or pharmacy discount tools like SingleCare can help lower out-of-pocket expenses before the generic hits the market.

Insurance companies often deny or refuse to pay for Eliquis because it is an expensive brand-name medication and your specific plan has rules to control costs or manage its formulary.

Common Reasons for Denial

• Missing Prior Authorization: Your insurance plan may require your doctor to submit extra paperwork proving that Eliquis is medically necessary before they will agree to pay for it.
• Step Therapy Requirements: Your plan might enforce a "fail first" rule, meaning you must try a lower-cost alternative (such as warfarin) before they approve coverage for Eliquis.
• Formulary Changes: Insurance formularies (lists of covered drugs) change yearly. Your plan may have dropped Eliquis from its covered list or moved it to a higher, more expensive tier.
• Deductible Phase: If your plan has a yearly drug deductible, you must pay the full negotiated retail cost out of pocket until you meet that deductible limit.

What You Can Do

• Ask for Prior Authorization: Contact your doctor and ask if they have submitted the required prior authorization paperwork to your insurance.
• File an Appeal: If coverage is denied, you and your doctor can appeal the decision or request a formulary exception explaining why you must take Eliquis.
• Explore Savings Options: If you have commercial insurance, check the Manufacturer Savings Card. If you are uninsured or facing high costs, you can call Eliquis Customer Support to learn about direct-to-patient programs.
• Check Your Formulary: Review your plan details online or call the number on your insurance card to verify your current drug tiers and requirements.