Understanding Jardiance Cost-Saving Options Assistance Programs And Prescription Savings

Jardiance (empagliflozin) is a brand-name prescription medication used to manage blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes and reduce the risks of cardiovascular and kidney-related complications. For many patients, the cost of Jardiance can be a significant barrier to treatment. The current list price for Jardiance is $630 for a 30-day supply, which is the medication's cost without discounts or insurance. This high cost is primarily because there are no generic versions available, as the drug's patent is still active. However, several assistance programs and savings options exist to help make Jardiance more affordable for eligible patients.

Understanding Jardiance and Its Medical Uses

Jardiance is an SGLT2 inhibitor with several FDA-approved uses. It is prescribed to: - Improve control of blood sugar levels in adults and children 10 years and older with Type 2 diabetes - Reduce the risk of cardiovascular death in adults with Type 2 diabetes and heart disease - Lower the risk of hospitalization and cardiovascular death in adults with heart failure - Reduce the risk of worsening kidney disease, hospitalization, and cardiovascular death in adults with chronic kidney disease

The medication has been available since 2014, and its patent protection means no generic alternatives are currently available on the market. This lack of generic competition is the principal reason for Jardiance's high cost.

NiceRx Patient Assistance Program

The NiceRx service assists eligible individuals in enrolling in patient assistance programs for prescription medications, including Jardiance. Through this program, eligible participants may be able to obtain Jardiance for $49 per month, regardless of the medication's retail price. NiceRx handles the full enrollment process for eligible individuals, helping them access ongoing medication at a reduced cost.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the Jardiance patient assistance program through NiceRx, applicants must meet certain criteria: - Be a permanent, legal resident of the United States or Puerto Rico - Be uninsured or have insurance that does not cover the medication - Meet certain income eligibility requirements

NiceRx reviews each application individually, though these factors are the primary considerations for most patient assistance programs.

Application Process

Applying for the Jardiance patient assistance program through NiceRx involves: 1. Completing an online enrollment application 2. Providing information about all medications being taken, including Jardiance 3. Submitting details about healthcare providers, insurance plans, and household income

NiceRx emphasizes the importance of providing accurate and up-to-date information, as this is required by the pharmaceutical manufacturers who ship the medication. Once NiceRx determines that an applicant may be eligible for Jardiance assistance, they handle the full enrollment process and can also request medication refills on behalf of the patient for up to one year.

Cost Comparison

Through the NiceRx program, eligible participants pay a flat rate of $49 per month for Jardiance, regardless of the medication's strength or the retail price. According to the information provided, this represents significant savings compared to the average retail price at US pharmacies:

BI Cares Patient Assistance Program

The Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation (BI Cares) offers a Patient Assistance Program designed to help older adults and lower-income families access free medication. This charitable assistance program provides Jardiance at no cost to eligible patients.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the BI Cares Patient Assistance Program, applicants must meet the following criteria: - Be a resident in the United States or a U.S. territory - Have no health insurance or limited health insurance - Have no access to alternate insurance coverage or financial aid for the medication - Meet BI Cares' household income guidelines

Application Process

To enroll in the BI Cares Patient Assistance Program, applicants need to submit an online application on the program's website. For assistance with the application process or to ask questions about the program, individuals can call BI Cares at 800-556-8317.

Program Duration and Renewal

Once approved, enrollment in the BI Cares Patient Assistance Program lasts for 12 months from the approval date. The program can be renewed if the patient continues to meet all eligibility requirements, allowing for ongoing access to free medication.

Manufacturer Savings Card

Boehringer Ingelheim, the manufacturer of Jardiance, offers a savings card specifically designed to help reduce the cost of the medication. This savings program provides an alternative for patients who may not qualify for assistance programs but still need help affording their prescription.

Eligibility and Cost

The manufacturer savings card allows eligible participants to pay as low as $10 monthly for a one- to three-month supply of Jardiance. This program is specifically designed for people with commercial insurance who meet the eligibility requirements.

Enrollment and Renewal

Once a patient obtains the savings card, the manufacturer automatically re-enrolls them after 12 months if they still qualify. This automatic renewal process helps ensure continuous access to the reduced pricing without requiring additional paperwork.

Application Process

To apply for the Jardiance manufacturer savings card, interested individuals can visit the Jardiance website or call the manufacturer directly at 866-279-8990 for support or additional information.

SingleCare Prescription Savings Card

SingleCare offers a prescription discount card that can help lower the cost of Jardiance prescriptions. For some patients, using the SingleCare discount card may result in significant savings compared to their insurance copays.

Potential Savings

With the SingleCare discount card, patients do not have a copay. Instead, they pay a discounted price for Jardiance, which may be cheaper than using their insurance and paying a copay. According to available information, some SingleCare users have saved up to 80% on their prescriptions.

How It Works

The SingleCare service helps patients find the best price for their medication by comparing prices across different pharmacies. Since different pharmacies may offer different prices for the same medication, this service can identify the most affordable option in a patient's area.

Insurance Coverage Options

Understanding how different insurance plans cover Jardiance can help patients determine their most affordable option for obtaining the medication.

Medicare Coverage

Medicare coverage for Jardiance varies depending on the specific plan. Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare can now negotiate directly with manufacturers for the price of certain brand-name medications, including Jardiance, which is one of the 10 medications covered under this provision.

Most Medicare Part D plans place Jardiance in Tier 3, which typically has a higher copayment compared to lower tiers. According to available information, prices for Jardiance under Medicare prescription plans can range from $0 to $170 per month, depending on the specific plan.

Medicaid Coverage

Some state Medicaid plans cover Jardiance, while others may recommend cheaper alternatives. According to the manufacturer, patients with Medicaid usually pay copays ranging from $0 to $8 per month if they meet authorization guidelines.

Patients with Medicaid are advised to speak with their health insurance service provider to determine their specific coverage for Jardiance or to seek additional information about their benefits.

Commercial Insurance Coverage

According to Boehringer Ingelheim, the manufacturer of Jardiance, 93% of patients with commercial insurance pay between $0 and $50 per month for Jardiance, while the remaining 7% pay an average of $170 per month.

Many insurance plans may require patients to try less expensive medications before approving coverage for Jardiance, as insurance companies often recommend more cost-effective alternatives. This practice, known as step therapy, means that patients may need to demonstrate that other medications have been ineffective or not well-tolerated before their insurance will cover Jardiance.

Alternative Medications

If Jardiance is not affordable or not covered by insurance, healthcare providers may recommend alternative medications that are just as effective but lower in cost. Some Jardiance alternatives that insurance plans may cover include:

• Glucophage (metformin)
• Farxiga (dapagliflozin)
• Amaryl (glimepiride)
• Ozempic (semaglutide)
• Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
• Januvia (sitagliptin)
• Victoza (liraglutide)
• Actos (pioglitazone)
• Trulicity (dulaglutide)
• Glucotrol XL (glipizide extended-release)
• Lantus (insulin glargine)

Healthcare providers can offer medical advice on which alternative medications may be appropriate based on individual health needs and insurance coverage.

Conclusion

For patients prescribed Jardiance, several cost-saving options are available to help make this important medication more affordable. These include patient assistance programs like NiceRx and BI Cares, manufacturer savings cards, prescription discount cards like SingleCare, and various insurance coverage options. Each program has its own eligibility requirements and application processes, so patients should carefully evaluate which option best suits their individual circumstances.

It's important to note that while free samples of Jardiance are not mentioned in the available information, these various assistance programs can significantly reduce the cost of the medication, making it more accessible for patients who need it. Patients are encouraged to explore all available options, discuss cost concerns with their healthcare providers, and apply for any programs for which they may qualify to ensure they can obtain their medication without financial hardship.

Sources

1. NiceRx Jardiance Patient Assistance Program
2. SingleCare Jardiance Cost Information