Humira Patient Assistance Programs Accessing Free And Discounted Medication

Humira is a biologic medication used to treat various inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, plaque psoriasis, and others. As a specialty drug, it carries a significant cost—potentially exceeding $9,000 per month without insurance or assistance. However, several programs are available to help patients access this medication at reduced or no cost. This article explores the various patient assistance programs, savings options, and resources that can make Humira more affordable for those who need it.

Understanding Humira and Its Cost

Humira (adalimumab) is a brand-name biologic TNF blocker medication manufactured by AbbVie Inc. It is available as a subcutaneous injection in prefilled pens and glass syringes in various strengths. The medication is approved for treating several conditions including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – adults only
• Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) – people age 2 and older
• Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) – adults only
• Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) – adults only
• Crohn's disease (CD) – people age 6 and older
• Ulcerative colitis (UC) – people age 5 and older
• Plaque psoriasis – adults only
• Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) – people age 12 and older
• Uveitis – people age 2 and older

The high cost of Humira presents a significant barrier for many patients. Without insurance or discounts, the medication can cost more than $9,000 per month. This expense has led to the development of several assistance programs designed to make the medication accessible to those who need it but may face financial difficulties.

myAbbVie Assist: Free Medication Program

myAbbVie Assist is a patient assistance program created by Humira's manufacturer, AbbVie Inc. This program helps make Humira and other AbbVie prescription drugs more accessible to uninsured patients and others who may have difficulties paying out of pocket. Eligible participants can receive their medications for free.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for myAbbVie Assist, patients must meet specific criteria:

• Reside in the United States
• Be receiving treatment from a U.S. healthcare provider
• Have a current Humira prescription
• Be uninsured or underinsured
• Meet income limits:
  • Less than $90,360 for an individual
  • Less than $122,640 for a couple
  • Less than $154,920 for a household of three
  • Less than $187,200 for a household of four

Application Process

Eligible patients can apply for myAbbVie Assist through several methods:

• Online application
• Paper form that can be printed and mailed or faxed

The application requires healthcare provider information and proof of income. Patients with insurance must include their plan information. Applications are typically reviewed within two days by an AbbVie representative. If approved, patients receive their Humira for free, with no copays or shipping costs.

In 2022, AbbVie's patient assistance program helped approximately 200,000 patients access their medications. Patients taking Humira plus another AbbVie drug must submit separate applications for each medication.

HUMIRA Complete Savings Program

HUMIRA Complete provides resources and savings options for patients with commercial insurance coverage. This program includes several components designed to help patients navigate insurance complexities and reduce out-of-pocket costs.

HUMIRA Complete Savings Card

The HUMIRA Complete Savings Card offers eligible commercially-insured patients the opportunity to get Humira for as little as $0 per month. Eligibility requirements include:

• Having commercial insurance coverage for Humira (adalimumab)
• Meeting other eligibility criteria specified by the program
• Not receiving prescription reimbursement under federal, state, or government-funded insurance programs (such as Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or VA programs)

The savings card is subject to change or termination without notice, and restrictions including monthly maximums may apply. This is not health insurance, and patients should visit HUMIRASavingsCard.com or call 1.800.4HUMIRA for complete terms and conditions.

Additional HUMIRA Complete Resources

HUMIRA Complete offers several support services to help patients throughout their treatment journey:

• Insurance Specialists: These professionals help patients understand their insurance coverage and identify potential options to save on Humira.
• Nurse Ambassadors: With an average of 19 years of nursing experience, Nurse Ambassadors provide one-on-one support including:
  • Navigating the insurance process by connecting patients to Insurance Specialists
  • Identifying ways to help save on the cost of Humira
  • Establishing a treatment routine with Humira
  • Reinforcing injection training

While patients receive their initial injection from a healthcare provider, Nurse Ambassadors can help reinforce training and provide ongoing support through personalized nurse training or online training videos.

Field Reimbursement Managers

Field Reimbursement Managers are trained professionals who provide education to address many access and reimbursement questions. They support healthcare office staff and their patients with insurance coverage and access issues, offering in-person information about HUMIRA Complete access and reimbursement support tools.

Additional Cost-Saving Options

Beyond the AbbVie assistance programs, several other options may help reduce the cost of Humira:

SingleCare Discounts

SingleCare negotiates directly with pharmacies to provide discounts at over 35,000 locations across the United States. These discounts can potentially reduce Humira's monthly price by more than $2,000. Signing up for a SingleCare card is quick and free, and patients simply need to present the card at a participating pharmacy. Patients are eligible for SingleCare discounts even if they have Medicare or private health insurance, though pharmacies typically cannot apply both discounts simultaneously.

Biosimilar Alternatives

A biosimilar is "highly similar to a biologic medication already approved by FDA" with "no clinically meaningful differences from the reference product." For most of its existence, Humira had no biosimilar competition, but several options are now available, including:

• Amjevita
• Cyltezo
• Hyrimoz
• Hadlima

The FDA considers biosimilars safe and effective, and they are often less expensive than the original biologic medication. The FDA can rely on conclusions drawn about their biologic counterparts, requiring less extensive testing for approval, which may contribute to lower costs and potentially better insurance coverage.

Government Assistance Programs

People with Medicare Part D plans and certain financial difficulties may qualify for:

• Medicare Extra Help: This federal program provides assistance with prescription drug costs. Eligible applicants must meet income and resource limits.
• State-sponsored assistance programs: Each state has different requirements for pharmaceutical assistance, with application processes varying by location.

90-Day Prescriptions

As mentioned in the source materials, asking about a 90-day prescription may be another cost-saving strategy. While not detailed in the provided sources, longer prescription durations often come with reduced per-dose costs.

Comparing Assistance Programs

The various assistance programs available for Humira serve different patient populations based on their insurance status and financial circumstances:

Conclusion

Humira remains an essential treatment option for many Americans with inflammatory conditions, but its high cost can create significant financial barriers. Fortunately, multiple assistance programs are available to help patients access this medication at reduced or no cost. The myAbbVie Assist program provides free medication for eligible uninsured or underinsured patients, while the HUMIRA Complete Savings Card offers as low as $0 per month for those with commercial insurance. Additional options like SingleCare discounts, biosimilar alternatives, and government assistance programs provide further pathways to affordability.

Patients should work with their healthcare providers to determine which assistance options best suit their individual circumstances. The resources available through HUMIRA Complete, including insurance specialists and nurse ambassadors, can help navigate these options and provide support throughout the treatment journey. By taking advantage of these programs, patients can focus on managing their health without the added stress of unaffordable medication costs.

Sources

1. SingleCare Humira Patient Assistance Information
2. NowPatient Humira Information
3. Humira Complete Resources