How to save on Aimovig

In this article:

• How much does Aimovig cost?
• Can I get Aimovig for free?
• How to save money on Aimovig
• Is there a cheaper alternative to Aimovig?

In this article

• How much does Aimovig cost?
• Can I get Aimovig for free?
• How to save money on Aimovig
• Is there a cheaper alternative to Aimovig?

Aimovig (erenumab-aooe) is a brand-name prescription medication that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for migraine prevention in adults with episodic migraine or chronic migraine—that’s 15 or more headaches per month, according to Christopher Choi, MD, a board-certified internal medicine doctor at Concierge Wellness Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Aimovig is administered as a monthly subcutaneous injection with a SureClick auto-injector or prefilled syringe. The drug is a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitor that works by blocking the receptors of CGRP, a protein involved in the development of migraine headaches, explains Lauren R. Natbony, MD, a board-certified neurologist and medical director of Integrative Headache Medicine of New York. Essentially, Aimovig helps stop the chain of events that trigger migraine symptoms. 

For people with frequent migraines, Aimovig can be a game-changer. But it’s also expensive, especially for people without insurance that covers Aimovig. Fortunately, there are ways to save on Aimovig and make this prescription less cost-prohibitive.

How much does Aimovig cost?

Without insurance or any discounts, a monthly supply of one pen injector containing 1 ml of 140 mg/ml of Aimovig has an average retail price of $1,048 as of the time this article was written. Keep in mind, however, that the out-of-pocket cost paid by most people is dependent on the pharmacy that fills their prescription as well as whether the person has insurance coverage for prescription drugs.

Can I get Aimovig for free?

Some insurance plans, including some Medicare and Medicaid health plans, may cover the entire cost of Aimovig, according to Dr. Natbony. But she emphasizes that out-of-pocket cost depends on the health plan—and that sometimes patients must try other medications before the insurance company will approve coverage of Aimovig.

“Many pharmaceutical companies offer patient assistance programs to help individuals who are uninsured or have limited coverage, which could potentially provide Aimovig at no cost to those who qualify,” Dr. Natbony added. Amgen is one of such pharmaceutical companies. The Amgen Safety Net Foundation offers free Aimovig to eligible enrollees who meet its income limits, are uninsured, or have insurance that excludes coverage for Aimovig. 

To apply for Aimovig patient assistance, complete and sign the patient application where indicated and give it to your healthcare provider who will complete the last page and fax it to 833-959-1409. Once the application has been processed, you and your healthcare provider will be notified of an enrollment decision. Eligible enrollees may receive free Aimovig for up to 12 months, after which they can reapply. 

How to save money on Aimovig

Patients without health insurance or who are underinsured can still save on Aimovig prescription costs. Below, find information about discount programs and Aimovig coupons.

1. Free Aimovig coupons

SingleCare has free coupons that can help reduce the cash price of an Aimovig prescription. Show your SingleCare prescription discount card to your pharmacist when paying for your medication to see how much you can save. Or, do some price comparing in advance by looking for an Aimovig coupon on the SingleCare drug page. There, you can compare how much your coupon will save you at different pharmacies. Although the average retail price of a 140 mg/ml Aimovig pen is $1,048, you can pay as little as $739 with a SingleCare coupon. SingleCare prices may vary by quantity, form, and pharmacy. Anyone can use SingleCare coupons, even if they have insurance, but SingleCare coupons can’t be combined with insurance benefits. 

2. Aimovig Copay Card

Amgen, the manufacturer of Aimovig, offers an AImovig Copay Card, which may lower Aimovig’s out-of-pocket costs to as little as $5 per month. According to the manufacturer, Amgen, patients with commercial insurance who use a copay discount card from Amgen typically pay $5–$82 per injection. Eligibility criteria include having a valid Aimovig prescription and having commercial insurance or private insurance. This copay savings card does not apply to anyone with Medicare Part D, Medicaid, or other government-funded prescription drug plans. It is also not available to cash-paying patients.

This card has no income stipulation, but you must complete a short online form to apply. 

3. Compare prices

“Compare prices at different pharmacies to find cheaper options,” Dr. Natbony suggested. Prices for the same drugs can vary from pharmacy to pharmacy. Don’t forget that you can use the SingleCare drug page to look up drug costs with your SingleCare card and compare them between pharmacies.

4. Compare health plan coverage

It’s essential to stay informed about updates to insurance formularies, as medication coverage may change, according to Dr. Natbony. For example, a plan that did not cover Aimovig last year may cover it next year, as the list of covered drugs can change at any time. By staying up-to-date on coverage options, people can make the best possible choice of insurance plan during Open Enrollment Periods.

5. Ask your provider for samples

“Asking healthcare providers for samples can provide short-term savings,” Dr. Natbony explains. While Aimovig samples are not a sustainable solution, a sample for the first injection can give some patients enough time to save up for the next one.

6. When possible, buy in bulk

“Insurance plans usually offer a lower price for a 90-day [prescription], thus reducing the overall expense,” Dr. Natbony says. A 90-day supply of Aimovig is just three injection pens or prefilled syringes. With a long-term supply, you’re more likely to have a reduced monthly out-of-pocket cost.

Is there a cheaper alternative to Aimovig?

Currently, no generic form of Aimovig is available. However, other migraine medications may be prescribed as an alternative.

“Aimovig is a novel medication belonging to a distinct class. Due to patent protections, no generic substitutes exist for this medication or others in its category,” Dr. Natbony explains. However, she says migraine medications in other drug classes may be prescribed as cost-effective Aimovig alternatives.

Dr. Choi says alternative migraine preventive medications may include beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, seizure medications, antidepressants, and even Botox injections. “Of course, we can also use triptans and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for acute attacks,” Choi adds. 

The list prices of some of these Aimovig alternatives for migraine prevention are as follows:

• Toprol XL (metoprolol) is a brand-name beta-blocker, used off-label for migraine prevention, that costs about $59 for 30, 50 mg extended-release tablets before insurance or discounts.
• Verapamil is a generic calcium channel blocker, used off-label for migraine prophylaxis, that costs about $27 for 90, 80 mg tablets before insurance or discounts.
• Topiramate is a generic anticonvulsant that costs about $107 for 60, 25 mg tablets before insurance or discounts.
• Amitriptyline is a generic tricyclic antidepressant, used off-label for migraine prevention, that costs about $26 for 30, 25 mg tablets before insurance or discounts.

Other CGRP antagonists may be good alternative prescription drugs because they have mechanisms of action similar to Aimovig. Although their average retail prices may seem high, some insurance formularies choose one drug per class to offer at a significantly reduced price compared to the others.

The list prices of other CGRP antagonists are as follows:

• The average retail price of Vyepti (eptinezumab) before insurance and discounts is $8,958 for three 100 mg/ml vials.
• The average retail price of Ajovy (fremanezumab) before insurance and discounts is about $986 for one 225 mg/1.5 ml injection pen.
• The average retail price of Emgality (galcanezumab) before insurance and discounts is $938 for one 120 mg/mL injection pen.

The bottom line is that a patient struggling to afford Aimovig has options. Their healthcare provider can offer medical advice on alternative drugs. A healthcare provider may also know of other opportunities to save money on migraine prevention prescriptions.