Xeljanz and cost: Reducing long-term drug costs and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe Xeljanz tofacitinib and costMedically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, Pharm.D. — By Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA on August 4, 2022 Overview of XeljanzXeljanz is a brand-name prescription medication. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved it to treat the following conditions in certain adults:rheumatoid arthritispsoriatic arthritisulcerative colitisankylosing spondylitis For treating these conditions, Xeljanz is prescribed when certain other treatments haven’t worked to relieve symptoms. Xeljanz may also be prescribed to treat a condition called polyarticular course juvenile idiopathic arthritis in children ages 2 years and older when certain other treatments haven’t worked to relieve symptoms. Xeljanz contains the active drug tofacitinib. For more information about Xeljanz’s uses, refer to this article. Drug details Here are some details about Xeljanz:Drug forms: oral tablet or oral solutionGeneric version: not available Read on to learn about Xeljanz and help with cost, as well as how to save money on prescriptions. Xeljanz price As with all medications, the cost of Xeljanz can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:your treatment planyour insurance coveragethe pharmacy you usewhether Xeljanz has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below) To find out what the cost of Xeljanz will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Note: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Xeljanz. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Xeljanz in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered. If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Xeljanz requires prior authorization. Common questions about cost and Xeljanz Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Xeljanz. How do the costs of Xeljanz with and without insurance compare The cost of Xeljanz with and without insurance will vary based on a few factors, such as the pharmacy you use. In general, the cost of prescription medications such as Xeljanz is typically higher without insurance coverage than with insurance. If you’d like to know whether you’ll have a copay with Xeljanz, call your insurance provider. You can also visit this site from Xeljanz’s manufacturer to see what costs you may pay if you’re prescribed the medication. Is the cost of Xeljanz less than that of Xeljanz XR It depends. The cost of Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR may be affected by factors such as the pharmacy you use and your insurance coverage. It’s also important to note that Xeljanz and Xeljanz XR come in different strengths. For example, Xeljanz XR is available in an 11-milligram (mg) strength, but Xeljanz does not come in this strength. On the other hand, Xeljanz is available in a 10-mg strength, while Xeljanz XR is not. While these strengths seem very similar, your cost could differ depending on whether you’re prescribed Xeljanz or Xeljanz XR. To learn more about the cost of Xeljanz, talk with your insurance provider or pharmacist. You can also visit this site from Xeljanz’s manufacturer to see what costs you may pay if you’re prescribed the medication. Can my pharmacist help me determine the cost of Xeljanz per month Yes, your pharmacist can help determine the monthly cost you may pay for Xeljanz or your annual cost. Talk with your pharmacist to learn more about the price you may pay for your Xeljanz prescription. You can also talk with your insurance provider for more information. Brand-name vs generic drugs Xeljanz is only available as a brand-name drug. It doesn’t come 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 are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs? Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell it for up to 20 years. When the brand-name drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create generic versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for generics. Also, because generics contain the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing. Ways to reduce long-term drug costs If you take Xeljanz long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways. Getting a 3-month supply You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Xeljanz. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Using a mail-order pharmacy Xeljanz may be available through a mail-order pharmacy. Using this type of service may help lower the drug’s cost and allow you to receive your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order medications. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug via 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. Financial and insurance assistance If you need financial support to pay for Xeljanz, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:There is a Xeljanz savings card available for people with private (commercial, such as through your employer) insurance. You can learn more by calling 844-935-5269 or visiting this site. Keep in mind that if you have government-sponsored insurance, such as Medicare or Medicaid, you won’t be eligible for this manufacturer coupon card.A program called the Pfizer Patient Assistance Program is available for Xeljanz. This program provides assistance to qualifying people who have difficulty affording their prescription. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for support, visit the program website.Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:Medicine Assistance ToolNeedyMeds To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article. Next steps Now that you’ve learned about cost and Xeljanz, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Xeljanz. However, if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Xeljanz. Here are some other resources you may find helpful:Medicare drug coverage. To learn about Medicare coverage and costs for drugs such as Xeljanz, see these articles about Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.More details. For details about other aspects of Xeljanz, refer to this article.Information about you condition. For more information about the conditions Xeljanz is prescribed to treat, see our:arthritis hub and rheumatoid arthritis hublists of rheumatology and psoriatic arthritis articlesinflammatory bowel disease hub and list of ulcerative colitis articles Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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. Last medically reviewed on August 4, 2022Psoriatic ArthritisRheumatoid ArthritisUlcerative ColitisPharmacy / PharmacistDrugsMedically reviewed by Dena Westphalen, Pharm.D. — By Alex Brewer, PharmD, MBA on August 4, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? 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