How Much Does Eliquis Cost with Medicare?

Eliquis currently has a retail price of $606 for a 30-day supply, but thankfully, there are a variety of Medicare plan options in Decatur, IL that can get that price down to less than $50 per month.

However, the costs of Eliquis with Medicare depends on your plan and which pharmacy you go to.

In this article, we’ll break down why Eliquis is so expensive, how upcoming changes could lower prices even more, and what you can do to save money now.

What Is Eliquis?

Eliquis (also known as apixaban) is a prescription medication used to reduce the risk of stroke and blood clots in people with certain medical conditions. It belongs to a class of drugs called anticoagulants, or blood thinners, which work by preventing the formation of blood clots in the body.  

Eliquis is commonly used to treat conditions such as atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism.  

It’s taken orally in tablet form, and the dosage and duration of treatment depend on the individual's medical condition and other factors.

How Much Does Eliquis Cost?

The cost of Eliquis varies depending on the pharmacy, insurance coverage, and treatment plan. According to GoodRx, the lowest price for Eliquis in Decatur, IL is currently $630.10 at Walgreens, which gets you a supply of 60 tablets.  

According to the Eliquis website, the list price for a 30-day supply of Eliquis is $606, though there are some money-saving options that could get your costs down.

That said, if you’re on Medicare, you won’t qualify for the money-saving options marketed on the Eliquis website, such as a co-pay card that allows you to pay as little as $10 per month for up to 2 years.

What’s Happening With the Cost of Eliquis?

Eliquis has been one of the most expensive blood thinners in the U.S. for years. Partly due to the fact that, until recently, there were no government rules limiting how much pharmaceutical companies could mark up drug prices.

But that’s starting to change.

The Inflation Reduction Act passed in 2022 started allowing Medicare to negotiate prices for a limited number of drugs — and Eliquis was one of 10 drugs on the list for the first round of negotiations.

Thanks to those negotiations which concluded in August 2024, the cost of Eliquis will drop to $231.00 per month starting January 1, 2026, according to CMS.

Another reason Eliquis has stayed so expensive is because it's a brand-name drug under a 20-year patent, which has kept any competitors or generic versions off the market.

While the original patent was set to expire in 2023, an ongoing patent dispute allowed Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb to extend their exclusivity in the U.S. market.

Eliquis is now protected until at least April 1, 2028.

So even though the FDA has already approved several generic versions of Eliquis (apixaban), they can’t be sold to the general public until the patent expires — unless future court rulings change that.

Does Medicare Cover Eliquis?

Medicare helps cover the costs of Eliquis (apixaban) under Part D prescription drug coverage or through a Medicare Advantage plan that comes with prescription drug coverage.  

However, the amount of coverage and out-of-pocket expenses will depend on the specific plan you have. And unfortunately, you won’t save money by using GoodRx instead of your drug plan.

Read more: Drug Coupons Don’t Work with Medicare Part D Plans: Here’s Why

Medicare Part D and Eliquis

Medicare Part D plans have a formulary, or list of covered drugs, which varies from plan to plan.  

When we run a drug plan comparison for you, we’ll enter the drugs you take, including Eliquis, and the system will show us which plans are the most cost effective. They’re even listed in order, making it easy to quickly see how much each plan would cost you on an annual basis.

You will save some money by getting your Eliquis prescription through a preferred, in-network pharmacy, so make sure you know which pharmacy to go to.  

A couple of the most competitive 2025 Part D drug plans (for those taking Eliquis) have a $0 drug deductible and cover Eliquis at a $47 copay. However, they do have monthly premiums ranging from $81.10 per month to $125.80 per month.

Medicare Advantage and Eliquis

Another option is choosing a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, which is an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare.

Like some of the Part D plans, many MA plans do not have a drug deductible and you only need to pay your copay, which can vary, but is typically around $47 for Eliquis.

Others MA plans do have a drug deductible (up to the 2025 maximum of $590), meaning your first month's prescription could cost up to $637, and subsequent months would return to the $47 copay.

That said, you will need to compare your entire health plan when deciding what’s best for you.

While a plan with a $0 drug deductible might save you money upfront, it could leave you with higher out-of-pocket costs elsewhere — like if you needed hospital care.

Our licensed agents can help you weigh those differences so you can make an informed decision.

Conclusion

The retail price of Eliquis is $606, but fortunately, there are several Medicare health and drug plans available that can reduce the cost to less than $50 per month.

Starting in 2026, Medicare’s new negotiated price will lower the cost even further for those on Medicare plans.

And in 2028, when the brand-name patent runs out, we should finally start seeing generic versions of Eliquis hit the market which could help lower prices even more for everyone.

In the meantime, the right Medicare plan can make a big difference in what you pay, and we’re here to help you find the best fit.

If you take Eliquis or know someone who does, don’t hesitate to reach out to our office for a no-cost, no-obligation plan comparison. 

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Disclaimer: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 4 organizations which offer 41 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1‑800‑MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.