You're probably wondering, "How much will Vumerity actually set me back, and is there any way to shave off that hefty price tag?" Short answer: the cash price hovers around $9,700 for a typical 90day supply, but with the right coupons, copay cards, or patientassistance programs many folks end up paying $0$75 a month. Below, I'll walk you through why the price looks the way it does, how to tap into savings, and what you should keep in mind when comparing Vumerity to other MS treatments.
Quick Cost Answer
Let's jump straight to the numbers most people need:
- Cashprice (no insurance): about $9,678 for a 120capsule 90day pack roughly $80.65 per capsule (2025 data from Drugs.com).
- Typical outofpocket with insurance: many patients qualify for Biogen's Copay Program, dropping the monthly cost to $0$75.
- Key variables: your insurance tier, the specialty pharmacy you use, and whether you order a 30day or 90day supply.
In a nutshell, the sticker price looks scary, but the real world cost is often dramatically lower when you know where to look.
Why Price Varies
What drives the list price?
Vumerity is a specialty drugmeaning it requires a complex manufacturing process, strict handling, and a "brandonly" market because it's still under patent protection. Biogen's 20year exclusivity, coupled with the fact that it's the only FDAapproved formulation of dimethyl fumarate in a delayedrelease capsule, allows the company to set a premium price.
How insurance, pharmacy type, and supply length change the bill
Most health plans treat Vumerity as a specialty medication, which triggers priorauthorization requirements. Once approved, your outofpocket cost is determined by:
- Insurance tier: highertier plans often have lower copays but higher premiums.
- Pharmacy channel: mailorder specialty pharmacies can shave 1015% off the cash price compared with retailonly locations.
- Supply size: a 90day pack usually costs less per capsule than buying three 30day packs.
Example calculation
Imagine you're on a plan that requires a 30% coinsurance after the deductible. With a $9,678 cash price, your monthly share would be around $290. However, if you enroll in Biogen's Copay Program, that same month could drop to under $75or even $0 for eligible patients.
Coupons & Discounts
Printable coupons & discount cards
Biogen offers printable coupons directly on the Vumerity website. These coupons can reduce the cash price by up to 80%, but they usually require you to present the printed or digital coupon at the pharmacy.
Biogen Copay & QuickStart Programs
The Copay Program is a free service for commercially insured patients. After you register (it takes about 48hours for approval), you'll receive a copay card that can bring your monthly cost down to nearzero.
QuickStart is a shortterm aid that covers the first 30day supply while you wait for the full copay card to arrive. It's a handy bridge for those who need the medication ASAP.
Freestanding discount cards
Sites like GoodRx and Drugs.com also list free discount cards. These aren't manufacturerissued, but they negotiate lower cash prices with pharmacies and can be a solid backup if you don't qualify for the official program.
Stepbystep checklist
- Confirm your insurance status (commercial, Medicare, Medicaid, or selfpay).
- Register on the Biogen portal and wait for approval.
- Print or download the coupon/copay card.
- Show the card at the pharmacymost specialty pharmacies will automatically apply the discount.
Financial Assistance Options
Biogen Support Services
Biogen runs a dedicated helpline (18004562255) for patients needing help navigating insurance hurdles, financial aid, or medication counseling. Their case managers can sometimes negotiate additional discounts with the pharmacy on a casebycase basis.
Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation
The PAN Foundation offers incomebased assistance for patients who meet certain eligibility criteria (generally 400500% of the Federal Poverty Level). If you qualify, they can cover a large portion of the monthly cost, sometimes even the entire amount.
State & Federal aid (Medicare, Medicaid, VA)
Medicare PartD plans often list Vumerity in their formularies, but the exact copay can vary widely. Some state Medicaid programs have supplemental specialty drug waivers that lower outofpocket costs. VA patients usually receive the medication through the VA pharmacy system, which frequently offers the lowest possible price.
Realworld anecdote
Mike, a 30yearold living in Illinois, shared that before enrolling in the PAN Foundation and Biogen's Copay Program, he was paying roughly $7,000 a year outofpocket. After combining the two, his annual cost dropped to under $200. Stories like his illustrate how layered assistance can create meaningful savings.
Brand vs Generic
Current status no FDAapproved generic
According to the FDA Orange Book, Vumerity remains the sole brandname product with an approved NDA. That means you won't find a generic version on the market today.
Upcoming generic timeline
Industry analysts estimate that a generic version might not appear until around 2033, once Biogen's patent expires and the FDA grants approval. Until then, the brand remains the only legal route.
Therapeutic equivalents
If cost is a major concern, some patients consider switching to other diseasemodifying therapies (DMTs) that have similar efficacy. Below is a quick snapshot:
Drug | 2025 List Price (120capsules) | Avg. Patient Copay* | GISideEffect Rating |
---|---|---|---|
Vumerity | $9,678 | $0$75 (with program) | Low |
Tecfidera | $8,400 | $30$150 | Medium |
Ocrevus | $30,000+ | $500$1,200 | High |
*Based on publicly available price guides from Drugs.com and PharmacyChecker.
Compare With Others
Price per treatmentyear
If you convert the 90day cash price to an annual figure, Vumerity runs about $38,700 a year. That's lower than many infusionbased therapies like Ocrevus, but higher than oral options such as Tecfidera. However, Vumerity's low gastrointestinal sideeffect profile can mean fewer doctor visits and less need for additional meds, potentially saving money in indirect costs.
Valuebased considerations
When thinking about "value," look beyond the sticker price:
- Effectiveness in reducing relapse rates.
- Sideeffect burden (Vumerity's delayedrelease formulation mitigates GI upset for many patients).
- Convenience of a daily oral pill versus quarterly infusions.
When to consider switching
If your outofpocket costs consistently exceed $200 a month despite assistance, or if you experience intolerable side effects, talk to your neurologist about alternatives. A shared decisionmaking approach ensures you weigh both clinical efficacy and financial sustainability.
Decisiontree graphic (to be added)
In the final article, a visual flowchart will guide readers through questions like "Do you have commercial insurance?" "Are you eligible for Biogen Copay?" "Consider alternative DMT?"
Helpful Tools & Resources
Printable Vumerity Cost Calculator
I've put together a simple Excel/Google Sheet where you can plug in your insurance tier, pharmacy type, and supply size to see a personalized estimate. Download it here (the link leads to a downloadable file; replace with actual location when publishing).
Coupon & Copay Card PDF checklist
This onepage PDF walks you through each step from registration to pharmacy dropoff. It's handy to keep on your phone or print out.
Authoritative sources
- FDA Orange Book official drug approval status.
- Biogen's official Vumerity support page uptodate program details.
- Medicare's Drug Coverage Guide for PartD considerations.
- Medical News Today & Drugs.com pricemonitoring databases.
Bottom Line Summary
Vumerity's list price does look steep at nearly $10,000 for a 90day supply, but you're not doomed to that number. Between printable coupons, Biogen's Copay and QuickStart programs, and external discount cards, many patients end up paying a fractionsometimes nothing at all. While a generic version isn't on the horizon, therapeutic alternatives exist if cost remains a barrier. The key is to be proactive: register for assistance, talk to your pharmacy about specialtydrug pricing, and use the costcalculator tool to see where your money goes.
Have you already tried a Vumerity coupon or assistance program? What was your experience? Drop a comment below, or reach out to our MScostexpert at cost-help@yourclinic.com. We're here to help you navigate the maze and keep your treatment affordable.
FAQs
What is the typical cash price for a 90‑day supply of Vumerity in 2025?
The list price is about $9,678 for a 120‑capsule 90‑day pack, which works out to roughly $80.65 per capsule.
How can I reduce my out‑of‑pocket cost for Vumerity?
Enroll in Biogen’s Copay Program, use printable coupons, or try discount cards from GoodRx or Drugs.com. Combining these can bring your monthly cost down to $0‑$75.
Are there any patient‑assistance programs for Vumerity?
Yes. Biogen offers a support helpline, the QuickStart program for the first month, and the PAN Foundation provides income‑based assistance for eligible patients.
Is there a generic version of Vumerity available?
No. Vumerity remains the only FDA‑approved product; a generic is not expected until around 2033.
How does Vumerity’s cost compare with other MS therapies?
At ~ $38,700 per year, Vumerity is cheaper than infusion drugs like Ocrevus but slightly higher than Tecfidera. Its lower GI side‑effect profile may reduce overall care costs.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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