Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) is a prescription drug prescribed to treat certain types of cancer. Kymriah’s cost may depend on factors such as whether you have health insurance and the cost to receive the infusion from your doctor.
The price you pay for Kymriah can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan and your insurance coverage (if you have it).
Kymriah is given as an intravenous (IV) infusion by a doctor or another healthcare professional. (An IV infusion is an injection given into a vein over a period of time.) Your cost for Kymriah may also depend on how much you have to pay for an office visit to receive the infusion.
To find out how much you’ll pay for Kymriah, talk with your doctor, or insurance provider.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Kymriah and cost.
How does the cost of Kymriah compare with similar therapies such as Yescarta or Tecartus?
Besides Kymriah, other biologic drugs are available that can also treat certain types of cancer using your immune cells.
Examples of these drugs include:
Kymriah’s price compared with the cost of these other drugs depends on factors such as whether you have insurance coverage and your cost to receive the medication by IV infusion in a clinic or hospital.
Your doctor will prescribe the drug that’s right for you based on the type of cancer you have and other factors.
If you have questions about how the cost of Kymriah compares with the cost of other similar drugs, talk with your doctor.
Would it cost more to receive Kymriah at a hospital vs. a clinic?
It’s possible. Your cost for Kymriah depends on various factors. If you don’t have health insurance, how much you pay for Kymriah may depend in part on where you receive your infusion (such as an inpatient or outpatient setting).
Other factors that may affect your cost include:
- your treatment plan
- if you qualify for any cost assistance programs
Talk with your doctor or insurance provider (if you have coverage) to find out how much you can expect to pay for Kymriah.
Kymriah is a biologic drug that’s made from your own immune cells. Kymriah 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 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 need help covering the cost of Kymriah 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.
If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Kymriah. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Kymriah in regard to your treatment. Then, the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Kymriah 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 Kymriah 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.