How to Apply for Yervoy Patient Assistance
Yervoy (ipilimumab), made by Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS), offers patient assistance through the Bristol Myers Squibb Patient Access Support Foundation. This program provides free medication to eligible uninsured or underinsured U.S. patients who meet income and other criteria. Here's the step-by-step process based on official BMS guidelines.
1. Check Eligibility: Patients must have a household income at or below 500% of the Federal Poverty Level (e.g., $75,300 for a single-person household in 2024), lack prescription coverage, and have a valid prescription for Yervoy. U.S. residency is required; Medicare patients may qualify under specific rules.
2. Gather Documents: Prepare proof of income (tax returns, pay stubs, or benefit statements), proof of no insurance (or high copays), a valid Yervoy prescription, and patient ID (like Social Security number).
3. Submit Application:
- Online: Use the BMS Access Support portal at accesssupport.bms.com. Create an account, fill out the form, upload documents, and submit.
- Phone: Call BMS Access Support at 1-800-861-0048 (Monday-Friday, 8 AM-8 PM ET) for help starting or a paper form.
- Fax/Mail: Download the application from the BMS website and send to the provided fax (1-844-452-5154) or address.
4. Approval and Next Steps: Processing takes 1-2 weeks. If approved, medication ships directly to your doctor's office or pharmacy. Reapply annually or as coverage changes.
Who Qualifies and Common Reasons for Denial
Qualification hinges on income and insurance status—BMS reviews each case individually. Denials often stem from income exceeding limits, having viable insurance, or incomplete paperwork. Medicare Part D patients can get copay help via the BMS Copay Assistance Program instead, up to $15,000/year.
Other BMS Options if You Don't Qualify
- Patient Assistance Foundation: For the fully uninsured (as above).
- Copay Program: For commercially insured patients; enroll at copayassistance.bms.com or call 1-844-527-6379.
- Patient Advocacy: BMS navigators help with appeals or insurance issues via the same 1-800 number.
Tips from Patient Experiences
Start early—delays in approval can interrupt treatment. Have your oncologist involved for prescription verification. Track application status online or by phone. For Yervoy specifically, some patients report success appealing initial denials with updated income proof.
Sources:
[1] Bristol Myers Squibb Access Support
[2] BMS Patient Assistance Foundation