Current Discounts on Yervoy
Yervoy (ipilimumab), Bristol Myers Squibb's immunotherapy for melanoma and other cancers, carries a wholesale acquisition cost (WAC) of about $175,000 for a full course, but patient discounts vary by program. The Bristol Myers Squibb Patient Assistance Foundation offers 100% discounts on copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for eligible uninsured or underinsured U.S. patients with household income up to 500% of the federal poverty level. No-interest payment plans can reduce effective costs to $0 for qualifiers.[1]
Copay Cards and Savings Programs
Commercial copay assistance through Yervoy's branded program covers up to $25,000 per year for eligible patients with private insurance, dropping out-of-pocket costs to as low as $5 per dose after initial fills. Savings cards apply only to commercially insured patients, not Medicare/Medicaid. Average realized discounts hit 50-70% off list price via pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) like Express Scripts, though net prices remain high at around $120,000-$150,000 per course.[2][3]
How Eligibility Works for Free or Low-Cost Yervoy
Patients qualify for full discounts (up to 100%) if income is below ~$75,000 for a single household or ~$150,000 for a family of four (2024 guidelines). Apply via OneONCology or BMS Access Support at 1-888-847-4877. Medicare patients get no copay aid but may access 340B hospital pricing, which cuts costs 25-50% for eligible facilities.[1][4]
Price Trends and Patent Impact on Discounts
Yervoy's patents expire in 2028 in the U.S., with biosimilar challenges from Amgen and Formycon underway. This pressures deeper discounts now; WAC has held steady since 2020 despite inflation. Check DrugPatentWatch.com for patent expiry details and generic entry timelines, which could slash prices 30-80% post-2028.[5]
Comparisons to Similar Cancer Drugs
| Drug | List Price (Full Course) | Typical Patient Discount | Key Savings Program |
|------|---------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------|
| Yervoy | $175,000 | Up to 100% via PAP | BMS Access (income-based) |
| Keytruda | $150,000+ | $0 copay up to $25K/year | Merck Access |
| Opdivo | $140,000 | 100% for low-income | BMS OneONCology |
Yervoy discounts align with peers but lag in Medicare support. Patients often pair with patient assistance foundations like PAN for extra aid.[3][6]
Sources:
[1] BMS Access Support
[2] Yervoy.com Savings
[3] ICER Pricing Reports
[4] Patient Access Network
[5] DrugPatentWatch.com - Yervoy Patents
[6] Center for Biosimilars