Cabenuva (cabotegravir/rilpivirine) is a prescription drug used to treat HIV. Cabenuva’s cost may depend on factors such as your dosage, whether you have health insurance, and the pharmacy you use.
The price you pay for Cabenuva can vary. It may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage (if you have it), and the pharmacy you use. It will also depend on how much you have to pay for an office visit with your doctor to receive Cabenuva injections. (Cabenuva comes as a liquid suspension that’s injected into a muscle in your buttocks.)
To find out how much you’ll pay for Cabenuva, talk with your doctor or insurance provider. Or keep reading to learn how much you can save by using an Optum Perks coupon.
To save money on your Cabenuva prescription, explore these Optum Perks coupons. (Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.)
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about Cabenuva and cost.
What is Cabenuva’s cost without insurance?
What you’ll pay for Cabenuva without insurance depends on several factors. But in general, your cost will be higher without insurance.
Factors that could affect your cost include:
- your treatment plan and dosage
- whether you qualify for any savings programs
- the cost of the doctor’s visit to receive Cabenuva injections
To find out the exact cost of Cabenuva without insurance, ask your doctor or pharmacist. They’ll have this information because you’ll receive your injections in their office. They can also help you enroll in the drug manufacturer’s financial assistance program, ViiVConnect. (For more information, see “How can I lower my long-term drug costs?” below.)
You can also visit Optum Perks to get price estimates for Cabenuva when you use coupons from the site. (Optum Perks is a sister site of Healthline.) It’s important to note that Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.
How much does Cabenuva cost per month or per year?
The cost of Cabenuva per month depends on certain factors, such as whether you have health insurance, your doctor’s office visit costs, and your treatment plan. If you have insurance, talk with your insurer about what they cover related to your treatment plan and your exact cost.
Cabenuva comes in two different strength kits. Once certain starting doses are completed, the drug can be injected monthly, or at a higher dose every 2 months.
Although the cost for the 2-month dosing kit is likely higher than the 1-month dosing kit, the cost per year is likely to be lower when Cabenuva is given every 2 months. Your doctor will recommend the Cabenuva dosing schedule that’s right for you and can likely tell you the exact price you’ll pay for treatment.
Cabenuva only comes as a brand-name drug. It’s not currently available in a generic version. (A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication but tends to cost less.)
Why is there such a cost difference between brand-name drugs and generics?Years of research and testing are needed to ensure that brand-name drugs are safe and effective. This testing can make the drugs expensive. The manufacturer of a brand-name drug can sell the drug exclusively for up to 20 years. After that, other drugmakers can create generic versions. This competition in the market can lead to lower costs for generics. And because generics have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs, they don’t need to be studied again. This can also lead to lower generic costs.
Cabenuva’s long-term costs may be lower if you enroll in ViivConnect. This is an assistance program that helps with drug costs for eligible people with and without insurance.
Talk with your doctor if you don’t have health insurance. They may be able to help you enroll in the program and provide you with more information. You can also find out more about ViiVConnect by calling 844-588-3288.
If you need help covering the cost of Cabenuva or understanding your insurance, check out these online resources:
On these sites, you can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services.
If you have insurance, you may need to get prior authorization before your insurance provider will cover Cabenuva. This means your insurer and your doctor will discuss Cabenuva in regard to your treatment. Then the insurance company will determine whether the drug is covered. If Cabenuva requires prior authorization and you don’t receive it before you start treatment, you could pay the full cost of the drug.
Be sure to ask your insurance company whether Cabenuva requires prior authorization.
Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.