Eliquis has a list price around $521 for a 30-day supply, making it one of the most expensive commonly prescribed medications in the U.S. But most people can pay significantly less through manufacturer programs, insurance strategies, and upcoming price changes. The right approach depends on whether you have commercial insurance, Medicare, or no coverage at all.
Use the Manufacturer’s Co-Pay Card
If you have commercial insurance, Bristol Myers Squibb offers a co-pay savings program that drops your cost dramatically. Your first 90-day supply can cost as little as $10, or $10 per 30-day supply. After that, subsequent 90-day refills cost as little as $30 for up to 24 months. The program caps at $2,000 in annual savings.
You can enroll directly through the Eliquis website or ask your pharmacy to apply the card. The catch: this program is only for people with commercial (private) insurance. If your coverage comes through Medicare Part D, Medicaid, TRICARE, Veterans Affairs, or any other federal or state program, you don’t qualify. You also need to be a U.S. resident.
Medicare Part D: New Price Cap and Extra Help
Starting in 2026, Eliquis will have a negotiated Medicare price of $231 for a 30-day supply, down from its $521 list price. This is the result of the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, which selected Eliquis as one of its first targets. That negotiated price applies to what Medicare pays, which will lower out-of-pocket costs for Part D enrollees.
If you’re on Medicare and struggling with costs right now, the Extra Help program (also called the Low Income Subsidy) can reduce what you pay to almost nothing. In 2026, qualifying enrollees pay $0 for premiums and deductibles, up to $5.10 per generic prescription, and up to $12.65 per brand-name prescription. Once your total drug costs hit $2,100 for the year, you pay $0 for covered drugs going forward. People who also have full Medicaid coverage through the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary program pay no more than $4.90 per covered drug.
You can check eligibility and apply through Medicare.gov or your local Social Security office. Income limits apply, but they’re higher than many people expect, so it’s worth checking even if you think you might not qualify.
Ask About a 90-Day Supply
Whether you’re using the co-pay card or paying out of pocket, filling a 90-day supply instead of a 30-day supply almost always saves money. Many insurance plans charge less per pill for a larger fill, and mail-order pharmacies often offer the best rates on 90-day prescriptions. If your plan has a mail-order option, call and compare the price to your local pharmacy before your next refill.
Compare Pharmacy Prices
Pharmacy prices for the same drug can vary by hundreds of dollars. Costco, for instance, often prices brand-name medications lower than chain pharmacies, and you don’t need a Costco membership to use their pharmacy. Tools like GoodRx and RxSaver show real-time pricing at pharmacies near you and offer discount coupons that can sometimes beat your insurance co-pay, especially if you have a high-deductible plan.
If you’re uninsured or underinsured, these discount programs are particularly valuable. They won’t bring Eliquis down to generic-drug territory, but they can shave $50 to $150 off the retail price depending on your location and the pharmacy.
When Generic Eliquis Will Be Available
A generic version of Eliquis (apixaban) has been approved by the FDA, but it’s not commercially available yet. Bristol Myers Squibb’s last qualifying patent doesn’t expire until February 2031, though earlier settlements with generic manufacturers could potentially bring a generic to market before that date. Some sources reference possible generic availability around 2026 to 2028 based on patent litigation settlements, but the timeline remains uncertain.
For comparison, the other major blood thinner in this class, Xarelto, has no approved generic and holds patent protection until 2039. So if you’re weighing a switch for cost reasons, Xarelto won’t help.
Consider Warfarin as an Alternative
Warfarin costs about $19 per month and does the same fundamental job: preventing blood clots. It’s been used for decades and remains effective. The tradeoff is that warfarin requires regular blood tests to monitor your clotting levels, dietary consistency (vitamin K in leafy greens affects how it works), and more frequent doctor visits. Eliquis doesn’t require any of that monitoring, which is a major convenience advantage.
Not everyone can switch. Your doctor prescribed Eliquis for specific clinical reasons, and warfarin isn’t always an equivalent substitute. But if cost is a serious barrier and you’re considering stopping Eliquis altogether, a conversation about warfarin is far safer than skipping doses. Stopping a blood thinner without a replacement raises your stroke or clot risk significantly.
Importing from Canada or Overseas
You may have heard that Eliquis costs less in Canada or other countries. While that’s generally true, importing prescription drugs into the U.S. for personal use sits in a legal gray area, and Canadian law explicitly prohibits exporting prescription drugs to non-residents. Medications ordered from international online pharmacies can be seized at the border, and there’s no guarantee that what arrives is the authentic product. Some state-level importation programs are being developed, but none currently cover Eliquis in a way individual consumers can access.
Patient Assistance for the Uninsured
Bristol Myers Squibb runs a separate patient assistance program for people who are uninsured or can’t afford their medication even with insurance. This program can provide Eliquis at no cost to qualifying patients. Eligibility is based on income, and you’ll need to apply with documentation. Your doctor’s office can help with the paperwork, or you can start the process through the BMS website. Nonprofit organizations like NeedyMeds and the Patient Access Network Foundation also offer grants that can cover blood thinner costs for eligible patients.