Patient Assistance ProgramsMay 15, 2026

How to Afford Eliquis If You're Uninsured

No insurance doesn't mean no options. Several programs can help uninsured patients get Eliquis at little or no cost. Here's what's available and how to access it.

Written by

J

Jacob Elich

Health Consulting & Business Operations

Jacob Elich is the founder of ClariMeds and an MBA-trained business operator with a background in health consulting and dealmaking. He started ClariMeds after watching family members struggle to afford medications they were prescribed but couldn't pay for — and realizing that the manufacturer assistance programs that could have helped them were largely invisible to the people who needed them most. His work focuses on closing that gap.

How to Afford Eliquis If You're Uninsured

Without insurance, Eliquis can cost $600 or more per month at a retail pharmacy. For most people, that's simply not sustainable — especially for a medication that may be prescribed indefinitely.

But uninsured patients are actually among the best candidates for Eliquis assistance programs. Manufacturer patient assistance programs specifically target patients without insurance coverage, and the income thresholds are broader than many people expect.

Here's what's available and how to access each option.

Option 1: BMS Access Support (Free Medication Program)

The most valuable resource for uninsured Eliquis patients is BMS Access Support, Bristol-Myers Squibb's free medication program.

For uninsured patients who qualify, this program provides Eliquis at no cost — shipped directly to your home or your doctor's office. There's no insurance billing involved, because you don't have insurance.

Who qualifies (general guidelines):

  • Uninsured patients with household income up to approximately 400–500% of the Federal Poverty Level
  • In 2025: roughly under $58,000 for a single person, $79,000 for a couple

These thresholds are more inclusive than most patients expect. If you're uninsured and earning under six figures (and especially if you're under $60,000), you have a realistic shot at qualifying.

What you need to apply:

  • Valid prescription from your doctor
  • Proof of income (tax return, pay stubs, or signed attestation)
  • Confirmation that you are uninsured
  • Doctor's signature on a provider enrollment form

How to apply: Call BMS Access Support at 1-800-736-0003, or apply through ClariMeds. We handle the paperwork and coordination with your doctor's office.

Option 2: Pfizer RxPathways

Since Eliquis is co-marketed by Pfizer, Pfizer also has a patient assistance program — Pfizer RxPathways — that may provide Eliquis at no cost. Eligibility and requirements are similar to the BMS program.

In practice, patients typically end up in one program or the other based on which application pathway they use. Applying through ClariMeds or a patient navigator helps ensure you're routed to the best program.

Option 3: Generic Apixaban with GoodRx

If you want a faster option while a patient assistance application is being processed, generic apixaban with GoodRx is worth exploring.

Generic apixaban (the same active ingredient as Eliquis) is now available at many pharmacies. Using GoodRx or a similar discount program, the cash price for generic apixaban at some pharmacies can be $40–$120 per month — still significant, but far less than $600.

This isn't a long-term solution if you qualify for a free program, but it can bridge a gap.

How to do it:

  1. Ask your doctor to write the prescription as "apixaban" (not "Eliquis")
  2. Search GoodRx.com for apixaban at pharmacies near you
  3. Present the GoodRx coupon at the pharmacy

Call ahead to confirm stock — generic availability can vary by location.

Option 4: Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)

If you're uninsured, Federally Qualified Health Centers are community health clinics that offer sliding-scale fees based on income. Some FQHCs also have access to 340B drug pricing — a federal program that allows certain healthcare organizations to purchase drugs at significantly reduced prices and pass those savings to patients.

If an FQHC in your area prescribes Eliquis, you may pay far less than retail price. Find an FQHC at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

What to Do While You Wait for Approval

Patient assistance program approvals take 1–2 weeks on average. In the meantime:

  • Ask your doctor if a short-term sample supply is available to bridge the gap
  • Use generic apixaban with GoodRx as a temporary measure
  • If stopping is medically dangerous (e.g., you have AFib), make sure your doctor knows about the delay — they may have bridge options

Never stop an anticoagulant without talking to your doctor first. Stopping Eliquis abruptly without a plan can increase stroke or clot risk significantly.

Getting Help with the Application

Patient assistance applications require documentation gathering, form completion, doctor coordination, and follow-up. This is real work — and for patients managing a health condition, it's a lot.

ClariMeds handles the entire process for you. We know the BMS Access Support program well, we coordinate with doctor's offices routinely, and we follow up until approval comes through.

Apply through ClariMeds — it typically takes about 10 minutes to provide the information we need.

Paying too much for your medication?

ClariMeds connects you to free or low-cost medications through manufacturer assistance programs — and handles every step of the application for you.

See If You Qualify — Free
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