Key takeaways:
Brilinta (ticagrelor) is a prescription blood thinner that helps prevent unwanted blood clots. Without insurance, 60 tablets of brand-name Brilinta 90 mg cost about $572.76. You might pay around $421.02 for the generic version.
Most insurance plans cover Brilinta, with some requiring prior authorization or step therapy. If you have commercial insurance and meet other requirements, you may pay as little as $5 for a 30-day prescription with the Brilinta Savings Card.
Those who are eligible for the manufacturer’s patient assistance program may receive Brilinta at no cost. If you don’t qualify, you may pay as low as $464.15 for 60 tablets of brand-name Brilinta 90 mg and $32.51 for the generic version at some pharmacies with a GoodRx discount.
Save on related medications
Brilinta (ticagrelor) is a prescription medication used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. It belongs to a class of blood thinners known as antiplatelet medications and works by preventing blood clots.
Brand-name and generic versions of Brilinta are available in oral tablets. Brilinta is typically taken twice a day, but the dose depends on the medical condition being treated. In some cases, you’ll start treatment with a higher initial dose (loading dose), then continue with a lower maintenance dose.
You might pay several hundred dollars out of pocket for brand-name Brilinta, though your actual cost can vary based on several factors. But you can save money by using a GoodRx discount or the manufacturer savings card. You may even obtain the medication for free through the manufacturer’s patient assistance program if you meet the requirements.
How much does Brilinta cost?
Without insurance or discounts, 60 tablets of brand-name Brilinta 90 mg tablets cost about $572.76. What you pay for the medication can vary widely depending on many factors, including the pharmacy, where you live, and your insurance coverage.
Below is the average retail price for different doses of brand-name and generic Brilinta tablets at some pharmacies:
Brilinta version | Quantity and form | Dose | Average retail price |
|---|---|---|---|
Brand name | 60 tablets | 60 mg | |
Brand name | 60 tablets | 90 mg | |
Generic | 60 tablets | 60 mg | |
Generic | 60 tablets | 90 mg |
You’ll typically take Brilinta twice a day, so 60 tablets is a 30-day supply for most people.
What factors affect the cost of Brilinta?
Factors that can affect what you pay for Brinlinta include:
Your location: Prescription prices in New Orleans, for example, are often higher than the national average. But prices are typically lower than the national average in Denver and Atlanta, according to GoodRx research.
Pharmacy: Different pharmacies in the same neighborhood might charge different cash prices for the same medications.
Generic vs. brand name: Choosing the generic version can offer significant savings compared with the brand-name version.
Insurance: Most insurance plans cover Brilinta. But you may still have out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles, copays, or coinsurance.
Discounts: Using the manufacturer’s copay card, a patient assistance program, or a GoodRx discount can lower your cost for Brilinta.
Does insurance cover Brilinta?
Brilinta is widely covered by Medicaid and commercial insurance. It’s also commonly covered under Medicare, and more than 8 in 10 people with Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans have coverage.
But some plans may require extra steps before you can fill your prescription. Some ACA and commercial plan enrollees need a prior authorization, as well as about 1 in 3 with Medicaid. Step therapy rules (trying other medications first) are most common with commercial plans. Medicare covers Brilinta without either of these restrictions.
To check your insurance coverage, costs, and what requirements you must meet, look up your health plan’s list of covered medications, called a formulary, or contact your insurer directly.
How different insurance plans cover Brilinta
The table below shows the percentage of enrollees with coverage for Brilinta by insurance types and whether prior authorization or step therapy may be required.
Can you use your health savings account (HSA) to pay for Brilinta? Yes, and here’s how your HSA can help cover eligible medical expenses.
Combining Brilinta with other medications can raise your risk of bleeding. Pharmacists explain Brilinta interactions to consider.
Save money on your prescription costs: These money-saving tips can help lower your out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications.
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Brilinta 90 Mg tablets | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
81.7% | 10.7% | 2.2% | |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 94.5% | 16.6% | 11.3% |
Medicare (original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans) | 88.8% | 0% | 0% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.8% | 30.7% | 3.7% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of September 11, 2025. (See methodology below.)
If your insurance doesn’t cover Brilinta, consider these options:
See if you qualify for financial help through the manufacturer’s copay savings card or patient assistance program (see below for details).
Discuss the generic version of Brilinta with your prescriber. Also, ask about switching to an alternative antiplatelet medication that your insurance may cover.
Ask your health plan to cover Brilinta by submitting a formulary exception. Your prescriber may need to provide documentation and a letter of medical necessity explaining why this medication is required for your condition.
If the formulary exception is denied, you can file an appeal.
Compare health plans during the next open enrollment, and choose an insurance plan that offers better coverage for your medications.
Ways to save on Brilinta
With or without insurance coverage, here are 7 ways to reduce your Brilinta expenses:
1. Save with a GoodRx discount
A GoodRx discount can help lower the cost of Brilinta. Here’s what you might pay with these savings:
Brilinta version | Quantity and form | Dose | GoodRx price (as low as) |
|---|---|---|---|
Brand name | 60 tablets | 60 mg | |
Brand name | 60 tablets | 90 mg | |
Generic | 60 tablets | 60 mg | |
Generic | 60 tablets | 90 mg |
To use the discount:
Visit www.goodrx.com or download the app.
Search for “Brilinta,” then click “Find the lowest prices.”
Select your prescribed dose and quantity.
Choose to receive the discount information by text, email, or print. You can also have it available on your phone screen or add it to your phone’s digital wallet app.
To avoid delays, show the discount at the pharmacy before your prescription is filled.
2. Look into the manufacturer’s copay savings card
You may pay as little as $5 for your prescription with the Brilinta Savings Card.
To qualify, you must:
Have commercial insurance
Be age 18 or older
Live in the United States (including Puerto Rico)
Have a valid Brilinta prescription
With the manufacturer’s savings card, eligible people with commercial insurance can pay as low as $5 per 30-day supply, with a maximum savings of $200 each month. If you’re uninsured and paying cash, AstraZeneca, the manufacturer of Brilinta, may cover up to $100 per month, and you’ll be responsible for any remaining balance.
You’re not eligible for the Brilinta Savings Card if you have Medicare, Medicaid, or other government-funded insurance. The program also isn’t valid if your insurance already covers the full cost of your prescription or if you’re enrolled in any state- or federally funded prescription insurance program.
3. Check if you qualify for the manufacturer’s patient assistance program
If you don’t qualify for the copay savings card, you might be eligible for AstraZeneca’s patient assistance program, called AZ&Me. This program provides Brilinta at no cost to people who:
Are residents of the United States
Are treated by a healthcare professional licensed in the U.S.
Are uninsured, without commercial (private or employer-sponsored) insurance or government coverage other than Medicare
Aren’t receiving other medication payment assistance
Meet income requirements
AZ&Me may also help if you have Medicare and can’t afford your prescription, but you must not qualify for or be enrolled in Medicare’s Extra Help program.
4. Ask your prescriber about the generic version or an alternative
Ticagrelor is the generic version of Brilinta and usually costs less than the brand-name version. Generic medications are made to work the same way as brand-name prescriptions, so it’s worth considering to reduce your costs. Discuss this option with your prescriber.
If Ticagrelor isn’t suitable, your prescriber may suggest a different antiplatelet medication that’s covered by your insurance or costs less.
5. Compare pharmacy prices
Since Brilinta prices vary between pharmacies, it pays to compare your options. You can check prices at several locations or use www.goodrx.com to quickly find the best price in your area.
6. Ask about a 90-day prescription
Consider asking your prescriber about a 90-day prescription of Brilinta. Many pharmacies offer discounts for larger quantities, and some insurance plans may have lower copays for a 90-day supply instead of monthly refills. Savings aren’t guaranteed, but it’s worth comparing prices to see if this option could save you money.
If Brilinta is covered under your plan, see if your insurer’s mail-order program provides savings on larger quantities.
7. Use a tax-advantaged health account
Your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) can be used to cover many qualified medical expenses, including your out-of-pocket costs for Brilinta. These tax-advantaged health accounts allow you to pay for eligible expenses with tax-free dollars.
Pay directly with your HSA or FSA card at the pharmacy, or cover the cost yourself and submit for reimbursement. The funds in your HSA roll over annually, but you’ll have to use your FSA dollars before your plan’s deadline.
The bottom line
Without insurance or discounts, 60 tablets of brand-name Brilinta (ticagrelor) 90 mg cost around $572.76. You might pay about $421.02 for the same quantity and dose in the generic version. Your cost depends on several factors, including your location, the pharmacy, and whether you have insurance coverage.
If you have commercial insurance, you may qualify for the manufacturer’s copay savings card, which can reduce your costs to as little as $5 per prescription. If you’re uninsured and meet income requirements, the manufacturer’s patient assistance program may provide Brilinta at no cost.
A free GoodRx discount can also lower your Brilinta costs. Other money-saving options include comparing pharmacy prices, buying 90-day supplies, and paying with your tax-advantaged health funds.
Why trust our experts?
Methodology
We obtained national prescription coverage data for each medication from Managed Markets Insight & Technology (MMIT). The data reflects health insurance coverage as of September 2025.
We calculated the percentage of enrollees in plans that cover each medication by dividing the number of enrollees covered for the medication within a specific insurance channel (e.g., ACA, Medicare, Medicaid) by the total number of enrollees in all plans within that channel.
We determined the percentage of enrollees in plans with a prior authorization requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that required prior authorization for the medication within each channel.
Finally, we measured the percentage of enrollees in plans with a step therapy requirement by calculating the proportion of enrollees in plans that imposed step therapy requirements for the medication in each channel.
These estimates, derived from national MMIT coverage data, provide insight into health insurance coverage for each medication. They take into account restrictions such as prior authorization, step therapy, and quantity limits. The percentages are expressed relative to the total number of enrollees covered by various insurance channels, including ACA plans, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).
References
AZ&Me. (2025). Helping patients access their AstraZeneca medications. AstraZeneca.
Brilinta. (n.d.). Savings and support. AZ&Me.
HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Appealing a health plan decision. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
