Kesimpta (ofatumumab) is a prescription drug used to treat certain kinds of multiple sclerosis (MS) and clinically isolated syndrome. Kesimpta’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage and whether you have health insurance.
Kesimpta is used to treat the following conditions in adults:
- clinically isolated syndrome, which can be an early sign of MS
- relapsing-remitting MS
- active secondary-progressive MS
Kesimpta comes as a liquid solution that’s given as an injection under your skin.
Note: For more details on Kesimpta, see this in-depth article.
The price you pay for Kesimpta can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use.
To find out how much you’ll pay for Kesimpta, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. Or keep reading to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.
Note: If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Kesimpta. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Kesimpta in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Kesimpta requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.
Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Kesimpta requires prior authorization.
To save money on your Kesimpta prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Kesimpta and cost.
How does Kesimpta’s cost compare with insurance, without insurance, and with Medicare coverage?
The cost of Kesimpta with insurance, without insurance, and with Medicare coverage depends on several different factors. For example, your specific costs may depend on:
- your dosage of Kesimpta
- your insurance plan (if you have one)
- which pharmacy you use
- whether you qualify for copay assistance
Due to the many factors that can affect the price, the best way to find out how much Kesimpta will cost you is to contact your pharmacist. They’ll be able to help determine what you’ll end up paying for this drug.
Keep in mind that your plan may have prior authorization requirements before it will cover Kesimpta. (See the “What is Kesimpta’s price?” section for more information.)
You can also visit Optum Perks for price estimates for many medications. (Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline.) It’s important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.
What is Kesimpta’s cost per year and per month?
There are many factors that affect your cost for Kesimpta per year, month, or dose. These can include:
- your specific insurance (if you’re covered)
- the pharmacy you use
- if you qualify for drug savings programs
- your dose of Kesimpta
To learn how much Kesimpta may cost you per month or per year, contact your pharmacist or your insurance provider.
To find price estimates for many medications, you can also visit Optum Perks. (Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline.) It’s important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.
How does the cost of Kesimpta compare with that of similar drugs, such as Ocrevus or Tysabri?
For example, Kesimpta comes as a different form than Ocrevus or Tysabri, which may affect the cost.
Kesimpta is a liquid solution that’s given as an injection under your skin. Meanwhile, Ocrevus and Tysabri both come as a liquid solution that’s given as an intravenous (IV) infusion.
Other factors that may affect how much you pay include:
- whether there are any savings programs available for the drug you’re prescribed
- whether you have insurance or are paying out of pocket
- which pharmacy you use
- how long your treatment lasts
If you have questions about the cost of Kesimpta compared with the cost of other MS drugs, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They can share more details on treatment costs based on your specific situation.
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If you need help covering the cost of Kesimpta or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:
On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.
A program called Alongside Kesimpta may be available from the drugmaker for savings and support. This program includes copay assistance via the Alongside Kesimpta Access Card, which can help cover some of Kesimpta’s costs. You can sign up for the program here, and if needed, a coordinator can help you sign up for the Access Card.
If you have other questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Kesimpta is a biologic drug, which means it’s made from parts of living organisms. It doesn’t come in a biosimilar form. Biosimilars are like generic drugs. But unlike generics, which are made for nonbiologic drugs, biosimilars are made for biologic drugs.
Why is there such a cost difference between biologic drugs and biosimilar drugs?Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research and testing needed to ensure 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, other drugmakers can create biosimilar versions. This competition in the market may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. And because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower costs for biosimilars.
If you take Kesimpta long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:
- Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication: You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Kesimpta if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of the drug. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of Kesimpta, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.
- Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication: Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for Kesimpta. Plus, you could get 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 through 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.
If you still have questions about the cost of Kesimpta, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for Kesimpta.
Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:
- Does Kesimpta’s cost vary according to the dosage I’m prescribed?
- What other treatment options do I have if I can’t afford Kesimpta?
- How can I get a 90-day supply of Kesimpta?
To learn more about Kesimpta, see these articles:
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Disclaimer: Healthline 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.