Who Qualifies for Yervoy Patient Assistance?
Bristol Myers Squibb's Access Support program covers Yervoy (ipilimumab) for U.S. patients with commercial insurance who meet income limits, typically up to 8 times the federal poverty level (FPL). For a household of one, this is around $120,000 annually; it scales up for larger households (e.g., $250,000 for a family of four). Uninsured or underinsured patients qualify if income is at or below 5 times FPL. Medicare patients are ineligible for free drug but can access copay help up to $15,000/year if income is below 10 times FPL.
How Do Insurance Status and Income Get Verified?
Patients submit proof like tax returns, pay stubs, or benefit statements. Commercial insurance must confirm no coverage denial first. The program approves most within days; reapplications needed annually. Household size includes spouse and dependents.
What If You're on Medicare or Government Insurance?
Medicare Part D enrollees get copay cards reducing out-of-pocket to $0-$25/month, but no free product. Medicaid/Veterans Affairs patients are ineligible as government programs cover Yervoy. Undocumented patients can qualify with proof of U.S. residency.
How to Apply for Yervoy Assistance
Call 1-888-YERVOY1 (1-888-937-8691) or visit the BMS Access Support site to start. A patient navigator handles forms, benefit verification, and delivery to your doctor's office. Express Scripts handles pharmacy fulfillment for copay programs.
What Are Common Reasons for Denial?
Exceeding income caps, non-U.S. residency, active government insurance, or incomplete paperwork. Appeals possible with updated docs. Independent foundations like Patient Access Network cover gaps for melanoma patients.
Yervoy Cost Without Assistance
A single infusion cycle runs $150,000-$300,000 depending on dose/weight, making assistance critical for ongoing therapy.
[1] Bristol Myers Squibb Access Support, https://www.bmsaccesssupport.com/en/hcp/yervoy
[2] Drugs.com Patient Assistance, https://www.drugs.com/price-guide/yervoy
[3] NeedyMeds Yervoy Program, https://www.needymeds.org/druglist.taf?function=name&drugname=Yervoy