Vabysmo (faricimab-svoa) is a prescription injection that’s used to treat certain eye conditions in adults. Vabysmo’s cost may depend on factors such as your treatment plan and whether you have health insurance.
The price you pay for Vabysmo can vary. Your cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and how much you have to pay for a visit with an eye specialist to receive Vabysmo injections.
To find out how much you’ll pay for Vabysmo, including whether Vabysmo’s cost is covered by insurance, your Vabysmo cost per year, and more, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Vabysmo and cost.
Is Vabysmo covered by Medicare?
It’s possible. To find out whether your Medicare plan covers the cost of Vabysmo, call your plan provider. There are different types of Medicare plans, and your cost and coverage depend on your particular plan’s benefits.
If you have Medicare coverage, some or all of the cost of Vabysmo may be covered under your Medicare Part B (medical insurance) plan. This is because your ophthalmologist will give you Vabysmo injections at a clinic or their office.
Keep in mind that your plan may have prior authorization requirements before it will cover Vabysmo. (See the “Prior authorization” section below for more information.)
You can also ask your doctor about the cost of Vabysmo if you have Medicare.
How do the costs of Vabysmo and Eylea compare?
The cost of Vabysmo compared with aflibercept (Eylea) depends on various factors. These include:
- whether you have insurance or are paying out of pocket
- your treatment plan
- any cost savings programs available for the medication
- whether your plan requires prior authorization
To find out how the costs of Vabysmo and Eylea compare, talk with your doctor or insurance provider (if you have one). They can tell you the exact cost of each medication based on your specific situation. And to learn more about Eylea’s cost, see this article.
Vabysmo 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. 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 Vabysmo 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.
If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Vabysmo. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Vabysmo in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Vabysmo 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 Vabysmo 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.