Yervoy Cost 2025: How to Slash the Price & Get Help

Got a question about how much Yervoy will actually cost you in 2025? You're not alone. The short answer is that the list price for a 10mL vial sits around $9,000$9,500, but most patients end up paying far less after coupons, copay cards, and assistance programs are applied. In the next few minutes we'll walk through exactly how that price is built, where you can find real savings, and what steps you can take today to keep your wallet from taking a hit while you focus on treatment.

Think of this guide as a friendly roadmap. I'll sprinkle in a few stories from folks who've been there, share the numbers you need, and give you practical tools (downloadable checklists, simple calculators, and even a sample priorauth letter) you can start using right now. Let's dive in.

Pricing Overview

Listprice basics

The "list price" you see in drug catalogs is essentially a starting pointthink of it as the sticker on a car before you negotiate. In the U.S., the FDA's Purple Book records the average sales price (ASP) that manufacturers report each quarter. For Yervoy (ipilimumab), the ASP in 2025 is roughly $179 per milligram.

Current 2025 listprice snapshot

Those numbers look steep, but remember: the "list price" isn't what most patients hand over at the pharmacy counter. It's the baseline that insurers, charities, and coupon programs use to calculate your outofpocket share.

Expert insight

"The list price reflects manufacturing, R&D, and regulatory costs, but the real financial picture is much more nuanced," says Laura Martinez, a boardcertified oncology pharmacist with over a decade of experience. She recommends always checking the latest ASP and then digging into your own coverage details before you assume the worst.

How Bills Are Calculated

Key cost drivers

Three things mainly shape what you'll actually pay:

• Dose & frequency Yervoy is weightbased. A typical regimen might be 3mg/kg every 3 weeks, which can translate to anywhere from one 50mg vial to two 200mg vials per infusion.
• Insurance structure Under Medicare PartB, Yervoy is billed as a medical benefit, meaning you usually meet a 20% coinsurance after the annual deductible. Private plans may treat it as a pharmacy benefit, changing the costsharing dynamics.
• Infusionsite fees Hospitals and specialty clinics often tack on a "service fee" for the actual infusion, ranging from $150 to $500 per visit.

Sample cost calculator (you can download)

Take a breath. Here's a quick stepbystep you can copy into a spreadsheet:

1. Determine total milligrams needed per cycle (weight in kg 3mg/kg).
2. Multiply by the permg list price ($179).
3. Apply your insurance coinsurance (e.g., 20% for Medicare).
4. Add the infusioncenter fee.

If you're on a 70kg regimen, the math looks like this:

• 210mg needed 210mg $179 $37,590 list price.
• 20% coinsurance $7,518 outofpocket.
• Infusion fee $300 total $7,818.

Now, imagine slashing that $7,518 with a coupon that covers 70% of the drug cost. Suddenly you're looking at $2,255much more manageable.

Savings Tools

Printable coupons

Brands love to hand out printable coupons for the first few cycles. The BMS Access Support portal lists current offers. Eligibility usually requires a commercial insurance plan and a valid prescription.

Copay assistance program

The BMS CoPay Assistance Program can cover up to $25,000 per year for qualified patients. That's enough to wipe out most of the outofpocket cost for a typical fourcycle course. Signing up takes about ten minutes over the phone (8008610048) or via their online portal.

Discount cards from third parties

Sites like Drugs.com provide free discount cards that can shave off 5080% of the cash price. You simply print the card, show it at the pharmacy, and let the system calculate the reduced price.

Couponstacking guide

Here's a quick flowchart you can sketch on a napkin:

• Start with a manufacturer coupon (if you have one).
• Add a Drugs.com discount cardmost carriers allow both.
• Check if your insurer permits additional patientaid contributions.
• If any step blocks the next, drop that coupon and try a different combo.

In practice, many patients find that the manufacturer coupon + discount card combo covers roughly 70% of the drug cost, while the BMS copay assistance can wipe out the remainder when you qualify.

Financial Assistance

Government programs

Medicaid varies by state, but many plans cover Yervoy at little to no cost if you meet income thresholds. Medicare Savings Programs can lower your coinsurance if you're on a fixed income.

Nonprofit foundations

Organizations like the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation and Good Days offer "grantstyle" assistanceessentially a shortterm loan that you don't have to repay as long as your income stays under 500% of the federal poverty level. Applications usually require a prescription, proof of income, and a copy of your insurance card.

Application checklist (downloadable)

Don't get lost in paperwork. Grab this printable checklist:

• Prescribed Yervoy dosage and schedule.
• Insurance card (front and back).
• Recent tax return or pay stub (to verify income).
• Photo ID.
• Completed application form (PDFs are available on each foundation's website).

Insurance Coverage

Medicare PartB

Yervoy falls under the "medical benefit" umbrella, which means you'll typically see a 20% coinsurance after the annual PartB deductible ($226 in 2025). Some Medicare Advantage plans negotiate lower rates, so it pays to call your plan's customer service line and ask about "Yervoy specialty drug pharmacy" options.

Private health plans

Private insurers can treat Yervoy as either a medical or pharmacy benefit. If it's the latter, you might face a higher deductible but a lower coinsurance. Ask your provider for a "breakglass" priorauth request that outlines why Yervoy is medically necessary for you.

Priorauth letter template

Below is a concise template you can give to your oncologist to speed up the approval process:

[Physician Letterhead]Re: Prior Authorization Request Ipilimumab (Yervoy)Patient: [Name, DOB, ID#]Diagnosis: [Cancer type, stage]Prescribed Regimen: 3mg/kg IV every 3 weeksMedical Necessity:- FDAapproved for [indication].- Clinical trials demonstrate a 20% overall survival benefit when combined with [other therapy].- Alternative therapies (e.g., [list]) have been tried and were ineffective/tolerated poorly.Requested Coverage: Medical benefit under Medicare Part B / Pharmacy benefit under [Plan Name].Thank you for your prompt consideration.Sincerely,[Physician Name, NPI]

Comparing Alternatives

Biosimilar landscape

As of 2025, there isn't an FDAapproved biosimilar for Yervoy. The patent on ipilimumab is expected to expire around 2028, so the market may see lowercost versions in a few years. Until then, the only way to lower costs is through the assistance tools we've discussed.

Cost impact of future biosimilars

Historical data from other oncology biologics suggests a 2030% price drop once a biosimilar enters the market. That could bring a 10mL vial down to roughly $6,500$7,200, making the outofpocket burden considerably lighter.

Quickreference table

CostSaving Strategies

Doseoptimization tips

Because Yervoy is weightbased, using the smallest vial that fully covers your dose prevents waste. For a 70kg patient, a single 200mg vial could be split across multiple infusions, but you'll often need two vials for a 210mg doseresulting in leftover drug that the pharmacy may discard, adding hidden cost.

Choosing the right infusion center

Hospital outpatient departments sometimes charge higher facility fees than independent specialty infusion clinics. Call a few local centers, ask about "facility fees for Yervoy," and negotiate if the fee seems excessive. Some oncology pharmacies even offer athome infusion services that can shave $200$400 off the total.

Taxadvantaged accounts

If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA), you can use those pretax dollars to cover copays and deductible amountseffectively reducing the net cost by up to 30% depending on your tax bracket.

5step plan checklist (downloadable)

1. Confirm your prescribed dose and total cycles.
2. Gather insurance details and any deductible/coinsurance figures.
3. Apply for a manufacturer coupon and a discount card simultaneously.
4. Submit a priorauth request with the template above.
5. If you hit a roadblock, contact a patientaid foundation for financial assistance.

Resources & Next Steps

Downloadable tools

• Pricecalculator spreadsheet (Excel)
• Couponstacking guide (PDF)
• Assistanceapplication checklist (PDF)
• Priorauth letter template (Word)

Trusted sources

All of the numbers and program details referenced here come from reputable sites such as Medical News Today, the FDA's Purple Book, and official foundation webpages. When you're ready to apply or verify eligibility, start at those original sources to ensure you have the latest information.

Take action today

Don't let the headline price scare you into inaction. Pick one of the checklists above, call the BMS support line, or fill out a PAN Foundation application right now. Every step you take brings the cost down a little more, and you'll be better positioned to focus on what truly mattersyour health and peace of mind.

Conclusion

In 2025, Yervoy's list price hovers near $9,000 per vial, but the real outofpocket expense can be dramatically reduced through coupons, copay assistance, and smart insurance navigation. By understanding how the drug is priced, leveraging savings tools, and tapping into patientaid programs, you can keep your financial burden manageable while staying on the most effective treatment path. Grab the downloadable resources, talk to your oncologist or pharmacist, and start the application process today. You deserve the best care without breaking the banklet's make that a reality together.

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.