Key takeaways:
Otezla (apremilast) is a prescription-only medication that treats autoimmune conditions such as psoriatic arthritis and plaque psoriasis. It’s typically filled through a specialty pharmacy.
Otezla’s average retail price for a 30-day supply is around $7058.83. But the price you’ll pay depends on the pharmacy you choose, your dosage, and other factors.
There’s currently no generic version of Otezla on the market. But there are still ways to save on Otezla. GoodRx can help you access Otezla at an exclusive cash price. A manufacturer savings card and patient assistance program are also available.
Save on related medications
Millions of people in the U.S. live with an autoimmune condition, which often involves painful inflammation. For those with psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, or certain mouth ulcers, the specialty medication Otezla (apremilast) may be a way to find relief.
Otezla was first FDA approved in 2014 for adults with psoriatic arthritis or plaque psoriasis. Later, it was approved to treat adults with Behcet’s disease. And more recently, it was approved to treat certain children with psoriatic arthritis or plaque psoriasis who are at least 6 years old.
If a healthcare professional recommends Otezla for you or your child, you should ask about what you can expect to pay and ways to save. The medication can cost thousands of dollars a month, but the exact price you’ll pay depends on your insurance status, location, and other factors.
Whether you have insurance or not, there are many ways to reduce the cost of Otezla, including signing up for a manufacturer copay savings card or enrolling in a patient assistance program.
How much does a 30-day supply of Otezla cost?
The average retail price for a 30-day supply of Otezla is currently around $7058.83. An equivalent supply of the extended-release version costs about $7140.29. Brand-name Otezla is still protected by patents, so there aren’t any lower-cost generic versions expected until at least 2028.
However, the average retail price isn’t what most people actually pay. If you have prescription insurance or qualify for savings programs, your out-of-pocket cost may be much lower.
What factors affect the cost of Otezla?
There are several factors that can affect how much you pay for Otezla, including:
Pharmacy: Prescription medication prices can differ between pharmacies. This is because pharmacies (and wholesalers) negotiate their own pricing.
Location: Where you live can affect how much you pay for prescription medications. For example, according to GoodRx data, people in Little Rock, Arkansas, tend to pay more for prescription medications than people in Denver, Colorado.
Insurance: If you have insurance that covers Otezla, it can help reduce what you pay for your medication. However, you may still have out-of-pocket expenses such as copays, coinsurance, or a deductible, depending on your health plan. These expenses may be higher if Otezla is listed in a higher tier on your plan’s formulary.
Dosage: Otezla is typically prescribed at a lower starting dosage, which is then adjusted based on treatment needs. A higher dosage could increase your monthly costs.
Is Otezla covered by insurance?
Most health insurance plans — including Medicare, Medicaid, and Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans — typically provide some level of coverage for Otezla. Though, you may still have to pay out-of-pocket costs like a deductible, copays, or coinsurance. Many health insurance plans also require prior authorization or step therapy before covering the medication.
How different insurance plans cover Otezla
The table below breaks down the percentage of enrollees who have coverage for Otezla by insurance type. It also shows the likelihood of having prior authorization and step therapy requirements.
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Otezla 30 mg | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
99.3% | 95.8% | 82.6% | |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 99.9% | 90.3% | 74.3% |
Medicare (Medicare Advantage and Part D plans) | 70.2% | 70.2% | 65.1% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.8% | 69.9% | 64.4% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of September 11, 2025. (See methodology below.)
If your insurance doesn’t cover Otezla, consider these options:
See if you qualify for Otezla’s copay savings card or patient assistance program (discussed below).
Request a formulary exception from your insurance company. If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision to seek coverage.
During open enrollment, compare different health insurance plans to find one that provides better coverage for what you need.
5 ways to save on Otezla
Whether you have insurance, are uninsured, or are underinsured, there are ways you can save on your Otezla prescription. Below are five ways you may be able to reduce your costs.
1. Use a manufacturer copay savings card
If you have private insurance, you can sign up for Otezla SupportPlus, a copay assistance program from Amgen. If approved, you may be eligible to get Otezla for $0 a month. The offer is available for up to 12 prescription fills within 12 months. There are no income guidelines but there are other eligibility requirements you may need to meet.
This program is available only to people who have commercial insurance. People insured through Medicare, Medicaid, or another government-funded program aren’t eligible.
2. Apply for a patient assistance program
If you don’t have health insurance or your income is limited, you may qualify to receive Otezla at no cost from the Amgen Safety Net Foundation. You may also qualify for financial help if your insurance does not fully cover the cost of Otezla.
To apply, visit the foundation’s website and take the following steps:
Click “How to Apply” in the navigation bar.
Select “Otezla” from the medication list.
Download, fill out, and print the application.
Ask your healthcare professional to fill out your Otezla prescription and fax it to the foundation with the completed application to determine eligibility.
3. Use a GoodRx coupon
Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use a GoodRx coupon to purchase a 30-day supply of Otezla at an exclusive cash price.
To use a coupon, visit the GoodRx website or download the GoodRx app on your mobile device. Then, follow these steps:
On the app or website, type “Otezla” in the search field.
Choose the desired quantity. Input your ZIP code or address, or select “Use my current location,” so you see results for local pharmacies.
Choose how to receive your coupon. You may want it emailed or texted to you, or you may want to print it out.
Alert your specialty pharmacy’s staff about the coupon early on in the filling process to help avoid delays.
4. Use a mail-order pharmacy
Otezla is a specialty medication that requires unique handling. So expect it to be mailed from a specialty pharmacy. If you have health insurance, you may be able to save by getting Otezla through your insurer’s preferred specialty mail-order pharmacy.
Some Medicare plans may offer a program that provides you with a 3-month supply of your medication by mail. Sometimes, insurance providers, including Medicare, charge less out of pocket for a 3-month supply than they would for three 1-month supplies.
5. Use your HSA, FSA, or HRA
If you have a health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA), you can use those tax-free dollars to cover the cost of Otezla.
FSA funds are only valid for a limited time. So you should use any FSA funds you have by the end of the plan year, before they expire. HSA funds work differently: They roll over each year and can be used at any time. HRA funds may or may not roll over, depending on the plan.
Frequently asked questions
There is currently no generic version of Otezla on the U.S. market, and there’s unlikely to be one until at least 2028.
Otezla is designed to manage chronic conditions, so many people take it long term. However, how long you’ll take it depends on how well it works for you, any side effects you experience, and your treatment goals. If you stop taking the medication, your symptoms will likely come back or worsen. It’s best to talk to your dermatologist or rheumatologist to understand how long you can expect to take Otezla.
There is currently no generic version of Otezla on the U.S. market, and there’s unlikely to be one until at least 2028.
Otezla is designed to manage chronic conditions, so many people take it long term. However, how long you’ll take it depends on how well it works for you, any side effects you experience, and your treatment goals. If you stop taking the medication, your symptoms will likely come back or worsen. It’s best to talk to your dermatologist or rheumatologist to understand how long you can expect to take Otezla.
The bottom line
Otezla (apremilast) is a specialty medication that treats psoriatic arthritis and other autoimmune conditions. Otezla’s average retail price for a 30-day supply is around $7058.83. But the price you'll pay depends on the pharmacy you choose, your dosage, and other factors. There are ways to save on Otezla’s cost, including with health insurance, a copay savings card, and a patient assistance program. GoodRx could also help you save.
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
American Behcet’s Disease Association. (n.d.). Treatment of Behcet's disease.
Amgen. (2021). Amgen wins patent case on Otezla (apremilast).
Amgen. (2025). Otezla - apremilast tablet, film coated, Otezla - apremilast kit [package insert]. DailyMed.
Amgen Safety Net Foundation. (n.d.). Check eligibility requirements.
Amgen Safety Net Foundation. (2026). Patient application.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Using your drug coverage.
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (2026). Autoimmune diseases. National Institutes of Health.
Padda, I. S., et al. (2023). Apremilast. StatPearls.
