Kevzara (sarilumab) is a prescription drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in certain situations. Kevzara’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.

The price you pay for Kevzara injections can vary. To find out how much you’ll pay for this medication, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you need help covering the cost of Kevzara or understanding your insurance, check out these resources:

On these pages, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.

If you have questions about how to pay for your prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Kevzara and cost.

What is Kevzara’s cost without insurance?

Kevzara’s cost without insurance depends on several factors. Generally, your cost will be higher without insurance.

Factors that could affect your cost include:

  • your treatment plan and dosage
  • whether you qualify for any savings programs
  • the pharmacy you use
  • the days’ supply of medication you receive (such as a 30-day or 90-day supply)

To find out your exact cost for Kevzara without insurance, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: Kevzara is available through specialty pharmacies. You may want to check with a few specialty pharmacies to compare prices.

Does Medicare pay for Kevzara?

It’s possible. To find out whether your Medicare plan covers the cost of Kevzara, call your plan provider. There are many types of Medicare plans, and your cost and coverage depend on your particular plan’s benefits.

Keep in mind that your plan may have prior authorization requirements before it will cover Kevzara. (See the “Prior authorization” section for more information.)

You can also ask your doctor about the cost of Kevzara if you have Medicare.

Kevzara 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 biologics.

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 exclusively 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 use Kevzara 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 Kevzara if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of Kevzara. If you’re interested in a 90-day supply of this drug, 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 Kevzara. 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 Kevzara 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 have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Kevzara. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Kevzara in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Kevzara 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 Kevzara requires prior authorization.

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.