Does Vascepa Have a Patient Assistance Program?
Yes, Vascepa (icosapent ethyl) offers patient assistance through the Vascepa Savings Card and a patient assistance program run by its manufacturer, Amarin Pharma. Uninsured or underinsured patients meeting income eligibility can get Vascepa free or at reduced cost via the Amarin CAREs Foundation program.[1][2]
How to Qualify and Apply for Vascepa Assistance
Eligibility typically requires U.S. residency, household income at or below 400-500% of the federal poverty level (varies by program), no prescription insurance, and a valid prescription. Apply online at vascepa.com/savings-support or call 1-877-VASCEPA (1-877-827-2372). Approval often takes days; benefits last up to 12 months and renew annually.[1][3]
What Does the Vascepa Savings Card Cover?
For commercially insured patients, the Savings Card reduces out-of-pocket costs to $0 for up to 13 fills (90-day supply each) per year, with a max $15,000 annual savings. No income check needed, but not valid for government insurance like Medicare/Medicaid. Download or text "START" to 91830 to enroll.[2][4]
Who Runs Vascepa's Programs and Contact Info
Amarin Pharma administers these via partners like ConnectiveRx. Full details at vascepa.com/support or Amarin's site. For low-income/uninsured, the CAREs Foundation handles copay assistance and free meds shipped to pharmacies.[1][3]
Vascepa Alternatives with Assistance Programs
| Drug | Assistance Program | Key Details |
|------|---------------------|-------------|
| Lovaza (omega-3) | AbbVie Patient Assistance | Free for uninsured <400% FPL; apply at abbviehelps.com [5] |
| generic icosapent ethyl | NeedyMeds or RxAssist | Varies by pharmacy; search needymeds.org [6] |
| fenofibrate (Trilipix generic) | AbbVie or manufacturer PAPs | Income-based free meds [5] |
Patients often switch to generics post-patent expiry in 2031 for lower costs, but Vascepa's program remains active.[7]
Common Patient Questions on Vascepa Costs and Coverage
Medicare covers Vascepa but with high copays (up to $500+); Extra Help may reduce to $4-9. Commercial plans cover ~80% of patients, averaging $50 copay with card. Without assistance, 140 capsules cost $300-400 retail.[4][8]
Sources:
[1] vascepa.com/savings-support
[2] vascepa.com
[3] amarin.com/patient-support
[4] goodrx.com/vascepa
[5] abbviehelps.com
[6] needymeds.org
[7] DrugPatentWatch.com/p/tradename/VASCEPA
[8] medicare.gov/drug-coverage