Patient Assistance ProgramsMay 16, 2026

How to Get Eliquis for Free or Reduced Cost: A Complete Guide

Eliquis can cost $600 or more per month without help. Here's every legitimate way to reduce or eliminate your out-of-pocket cost — from manufacturer assistance programs to Medicare options.

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 Get Eliquis for Free or Reduced Cost: A Complete Guide

Eliquis (apixaban) is one of the most prescribed brand-name drugs in the United States — and one of the most expensive. Without insurance or financial assistance, a 30-day supply can cost $550 to $700 or more at retail pharmacies.

But here's what most patients don't know: there are multiple legitimate programs designed to bring that cost down to zero or close to it. The challenge is knowing which programs apply to your situation.

This guide breaks down every major option, who qualifies for each, and how to get started.

Why Eliquis Is So Expensive

Eliquis is a brand-name anticoagulant manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Pfizer. It was approved by the FDA in 2012 to prevent blood clots in patients with atrial fibrillation, and to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).

Because it's still under patent protection (though generic versions began launching in 2023), BMS and Pfizer set the price. And like most specialty cardiovascular medications, the list price is high.

Generic apixaban is now available at some pharmacies — but it isn't always cheaper, and not all patients can easily switch. More on that below.

Option 1: The BMS Access Support Program (Best for Uninsured and Underinsured Patients)

Bristol-Myers Squibb runs a free medication program called BMS Access Support specifically for patients who can't afford Eliquis. If you qualify, you can receive Eliquis at no cost.

Who typically qualifies:

  • Uninsured patients
  • Patients whose insurance doesn't cover Eliquis or covers it at a high tier
  • Patients who meet income guidelines (generally below 400–500% of the federal poverty level, though this varies)

How to apply: You can call BMS Access Support directly at 1-800-736-0003, or apply through a patient assistance navigator like ClariMeds. The application requires proof of income, prescription information, and sometimes a letter from your doctor.

Approvals typically come within 1–2 weeks. If approved, medication is shipped directly to your home or physician's office.

Option 2: Pfizer's Patient Assistance Program

Since Eliquis is co-marketed by Pfizer, Pfizer also has a patient assistance program — Pfizer RxPathways — that can provide Eliquis at no cost to qualifying patients.

Eligibility requirements are similar to the BMS program. In some cases, you may be enrolled in one or the other depending on your prescriber's location or the application pathway you use.

Option 3: Eliquis Copay Card (Insured Patients Under 65)

If you have commercial insurance (not Medicare or Medicaid), BMS offers an Eliquis copay assistance card that can reduce your out-of-pocket cost to as low as $10 per month.

Important limitation: Copay cards are not usable with Medicare, Medicaid, or any other federal health program. This is a federal anti-kickback restriction — not a policy choice by BMS. If you're on Medicare, skip to Option 4.

To get the copay card, visit EliquisCopayCard.com or ask your pharmacist. Enrollment takes about five minutes.

Option 4: Medicare Part D and the $2,000 Annual Cap (2025 Update)

Starting in 2025, the Medicare Part D out-of-pocket cap dropped to $2,000 per year. This is a major change for Eliquis patients on Medicare who previously hit the "donut hole" and faced thousands of dollars in costs.

Under the new rules, once you've paid $2,000 out-of-pocket in a calendar year, your Part D plan covers the rest at no cost to you for the remainder of the year.

This doesn't make Eliquis cheap — you may still pay significant amounts early in the year — but it eliminates the catastrophic costs that previously caught patients off guard.

Extra Help / Low Income Subsidy: Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources may qualify for Extra Help, a federal program that reduces Part D premiums, deductibles, and copays. Eliquis patients on Extra Help often pay $0–$10 per month.

Option 5: Generic Apixaban

Generic versions of apixaban began launching in the U.S. in 2023 following patent settlements. Depending on your pharmacy and insurance plan, generic apixaban may cost significantly less than brand-name Eliquis.

However, not all plans automatically cover the generic, and some patients are specifically prescribed brand-name Eliquis for clinical reasons. Talk to your prescriber before switching.

At GoodRx prices, generic apixaban can sometimes be found for $40–$120 per month — a significant reduction from the brand-name list price.

What to Do If You're Not Sure Which Option Applies to You

This is exactly the problem ClariMeds was built to solve. The eligibility rules for each program are different, the applications require different documentation, and the right path depends on your insurance status, income, and prescriber.

ClariMeds reviews your situation, identifies which programs you're likely to qualify for, handles the applications on your behalf, and follows up with manufacturers until you're enrolled.

Start your ClariMeds application today — most patients are enrolled within 1–2 weeks.

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
← Back to all articles