Humira (adalimumab) is a brand-name subcutaneous injection that’s prescribed for certain conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis. The cost of the drug with and without insurance can depend on several factors, such as whether Humira has a savings program.
For giving Humira as a subcutaneous injection, the drug comes in the following forms: prefilled pens, prefilled syringes, and vials for use with syringes.*
Doctors typically prescribe the drug to adults. For certain conditions, doctors may also prescribe the drug to some children. To learn more about Humira, including details about its uses, see this article.
* Only your doctor or another healthcare professional will use Humira vials when giving doses of the drug. You won’t use Humira vials at home. Your doctor may prescribe the Humira prefilled pen or prefilled syringe to use at home.
As with all drugs, the cost of Humira can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:
- your treatment plan
- your insurance coverage
- the pharmacy you use
- the cost of the visit to your doctor to receive doses of Humira*
- whether Humira has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)
- which form of Humira you use
To find out what the cost of Humira 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 Humira. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Humira 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. If you have questions, you can ask your insurance company whether Humira requires prior authorization.
* In some cases, your doctor may give you Humira injections in their office or a clinic. If you take Humira at home, they’ll first show you how to inject Humira on your own.
Humira pen cost
Your doctor might prescribe Humira in prefilled pen form. The cost of the Humira pen depends on the factors described in the list above. Your pharmacist can give you the cost of the drug specific to your insurance plan if you have insurance. You can also call 800-448-6472 to speak to a Humira insurance specialist about the pen’s cost.
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Humira.
What’s the cost of Humira with insurance? Is a copay assistance program available?
The cost of Humira with insurance depends on whether your insurance plan covers the drug. It also depends on other factors, such as your Humira dosage and what pharmacy you use. (To learn more about Humira’s dosages and how the drug is administered, see this article.)
Your price for Humira is also based on whether you qualify for the drug manufacturer’s copay assistance program called the Humira Complete Savings Card. To learn more about this program, call 800-448-6472 or visit the program website.
If you have Medicare or Medicaid or don’t have insurance, you aren’t eligible for this copay assistance program. If you’re having trouble paying for Humira, see the section below called “Financial and insurance assistance.” You can also see just below to learn about the cost of Humira without insurance.
If you have questions about your Humira cost with insurance, talk with your pharmacist or insurance company.
What does Humira cost without insurance?
Generally, the cost of Humira is more expensive without insurance than with insurance. The factors that affect what you’ll pay for Humira without insurance include your Humira dosage and the pharmacy you use.
Your cost without insurance also depends on whether you qualify for the manufacturer’s patient assistance program called myAbbVie Assist. If you do not have insurance and have difficulty paying for Humira, this program could help cover your cost. You can apply for the program online or by calling 800-222-6885.
How much does Humira cost per dose? What about its cost per month and per year?
The Humira cost per dose depends on several factors. To learn about these factors, see the “Humira price” section above.
If you’d like to find out what your specific price for Humira will be, talk with your pharmacist. They can determine how much a Humira prescription will cost you. If you need help paying for Humira, see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below.
If you need financial support to pay for Humira, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:
- A program called Humira Complete Savings Card is available. For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for this card, call 800-448-6472 or visit the program website.
- If you are having trouble paying for Humira, the manufacturer offers a patient assistance program called myAbbVie Assist. You can apply for the assistance program through this website or by calling 800-222-6885.
- 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:
To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.
Humira contains the active drug adalimumab, and it’s currently available as a brand-name biologic drug.
Several biosimilar forms of Humira are available for use. These include Amjevita, Cyltezo, Hadlima, and Yusimry.
A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug). Also, biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name medications.
If you’re interested in using a biosimilar version of Humira, talk with your doctor. They can help determine which version may be the best option for you when they become available.
WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BIOLOGIC DRUGS VS. BIOSIMILAR DRUGS?
Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it for up to
12 years . When the biologic drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can offer biosimilar versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. Also, because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.
If you take Humira long term at home, 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 Humira. 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
Humira 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 drugs. 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.
Now that you’ve learned about cost and Humira, you may still have some questions. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist, who can provide personalized guidance about cost issues related to Humira. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you would pay for Humira.
Here are some other resources you may find helpful:
- Medicare drug coverage: To learn about Medicare coverage for Humira, see this article. You can also view these articles about Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, drug coupons and Medicare, and the Medicare drug list.
- More details: For details about other aspects of Humira, refer to this article.
- Dosage: Learn about Humira and dosage by viewing this article.
- Side effects: For details about Humira’s side effects, see this article. You can also look at the Humira prescribing information.
- Interactions: You can find out more about what Humira interacts with by visiting this article.
- Information about your condition: For more information about your condition, see our rheumatoid arthritis hub and inflammatory bowel disease hub. You can also refer to our lists of:
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.