Are there any limitations to the yervoy discount program?

Who Qualifies for Yervoy Copay Assistance?

Bristol Myers Squibb's Yervoy Copay Program covers copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for eligible commercially insured patients taking Yervoy (ipilimumab) for approved uses like melanoma or renal cell carcinoma. Patients must have private insurance, not government coverage like Medicare or Medicaid, and reside in the US or its territories.[1]

What Are the Main Limitations?

• Insurance Restrictions: Excludes government-insured patients (Medicare Part A/B/D, Medicaid, TRICARE, VA). Those with Medicare must use separate Bristol Myers Squibb Access Support programs.[1][2]
  
• Annual Cap: Maximum benefit of $25,000 per calendar year per patient. Savings stop once this limit is reached.[1]
  
• No Coverage for Non-Covered Services: Does not apply to amounts not covered by insurance, like administrative fees or over-the-counter costs.[1]
  
• Income Not Factored: Eligibility does not consider household income, but uninsured or underinsured patients may need alternative patient assistance programs.[2]
  
  

How Long Does Coverage Last?

Assistance continues as long as the patient remains eligible and the product is available commercially. It resets annually on January 1 but requires re-enrollment if coverage lapses.[1]

What If You're Medicare-Eligible?

Medicare patients face stricter rules under the Inflation Reduction Act and cannot use copay cards for government plans. Bristol Myers Squibb offers the Patient Assistance Foundation for low-income Medicare enrollees, providing free Yervoy if income is at or below 400-500% of the federal poverty level (varies by program).[2][3]

Alternatives for Uninsured or High-Copay Patients

• Bristol Myers Squibb Oncology Patient Assistance Foundation: Free medication for uninsured or low-income patients meeting income guidelines.
  
• NeedyMeds or RxAssist programs list additional Yervoy support options.
  
• Independent foundations like CancerCare or Patient Access Network cover gaps for specific cancers.[3]
  
  No patent-related limitations apply here, as Yervoy's key patents expired in 2025, but generics are not yet available.[4]
  
  [1]: Bristol Myers Squibb Yervoy Copay Program Terms
  [2]: Bristol Myers Squibb Access Support
  [3]: NeedyMeds Yervoy Assistance
  [4]: DrugPatentWatch Yervoy Patents