Key takeaways:
Praluent (alirocumab) is an injectable medication that helps lower cholesterol levels. Without insurance, two prefilled 75 mg pens of Praluent cost about $646.11. But you could pay around $531.81 with a GoodRx coupon.
Medicaid covers nearly all enrollees for Praluent, but only half of commercial insurance members have coverage. Most plans require prior authorization or step therapy.
There are ways to save on Praluent. GoodRx can help you access Praluent at an exclusive cash price. A manufacturer savings card and patient assistance program are also available.
Save on related medications
Praluent (alirocumab) is an injectable medication used to lower cholesterol levels. The typical dosages for adults are 75 mg to 150 mg injected twice a month (every 2 weeks) or 300 mg injected once a month (every 4 weeks).
Praluent may be more expensive than oral medications that lower cholesterol, such as statins. Let's take a look at how much Praluent costs without insurance along with ways to save on the cost of your prescription.
How much does Praluent cost?
Without insurance, a carton containing two 75 mg prefilled pens of Praluent costs $646.11 on average. The average cost of two 150 mg prefilled pens is $643.16.
What factors affect the cost of Praluent?
The following factors can affect how much you’ll pay for Praluent:
Location: Where you live plays a role in medication pricing. For example, GoodRx research shows that people living in Little Rock, Arkansas, often pay higher prescription costs, while those in Denver tend to see lower prices.
Pharmacy: Even in the same neighborhood, out-of-pocket prices for Praluent can vary between pharmacies. GoodRx can help you compare prices in your area.
Insurance coverage: If you have insurance, your cost will depend on your plan's formulary, and may include deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
Dosage: Praluent costs can vary between dosages.
Generic availability: Praluent doesn't have a lower-cost generic, which can contribute to its high cost.
Does insurance cover Praluent?
Coverage for Praluent depends on your health insurance plan. Many require step therapy, since this medication is typically prescribed after other cholesterol-lowering medications haven’t worked. This means the plan may require you to try a lower-cost alternative or explain why it isn’t an option for you before approving coverage for Praluent. In many cases, prior authorization is also required. This means your prescriber must provide information explaining why Praluent is medically necessary in order for it to be approved.
About 1 in 3 people with Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans have coverage for Praluent. Medicare coverage is similar, with 1 in 3 enrollees having access to Praluent. Medicaid provides Praluent coverage to nearly all enrollees, but commercial insurance plans cover about half their members.
Your health plan’s summary of benefits and coverage and formulary (medication list) are good resources to understand what’s covered and your out-of-pocket costs. Medications are often classified into different tiers within a formulary — a lower tier typically means a lower copay. You can access your plan’s formulary online or by calling the customer service number on your prescription insurance card.
How different insurance plans cover Praluent
Check the table below for an overview of Praluent coverage, including the likelihood of prior authorization and step therapy requirements, for different insurance plans.
Insurance coverage for Praluent
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for this medication | Enrollees required to get a prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
38.1% | 36.7% | 32.99% | |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 48.3% | 40.0% | 41.08% |
Medicare (original Medicare and Medicare Advantage) | 35.2% | 34.8% | 33.77% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 98.9% | 81.0% | 65.97% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of January 6, 2025. (See methodology below)
If your insurance doesn’t cover Praluent, you have several options:
Request a formulary exception from your insurance company.
If your request is denied, you can file an appeal for coverage.
Check if you qualify for patient assistance programs or other savings opportunities (more details below).
Ask your prescriber about switching to a Praluent alternative, such as Repatha (evolocumab). They can help you find an option that's more likely to be covered by your insurance plan.
During open enrollment, consider switching to an insurance plan that includes Praluent in its formulary.
Ways to save on Praluent
Praluent comes with a significant price tag, but there are several ways to reduce your out-of-pocket costs, whether you have insurance or not:
1. Use a GoodRx coupon
Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can purchase Praluent at an exclusive cash price through GoodRx.
Visit www.goodrx.com, or download the GoodRx app on your mobile device, and use a coupon today. Here’s how:
Go to www.goodrx.com or open the GoodRx app on your mobile device.
Type “Praluent” in the search bar.
Click “Start saving,” or tap or click return.
Select the correct dose and quantity, along with your location.
Choose to get your coupon by text or email, or print it out.
If possible, show the coupon at the pharmacy before they start filling your prescription to avoid delays in processing.
Keep in mind: GoodRx savings may vary by pharmacy and geographic location. The GoodRx website and app can help you compare prices in your area.
2. Look into the manufacturer’s copay card
If you have private or commercial insurance, you may qualify for the MyPraluent copay card. This program can lower your out-of-pocket cost to as little as $50 per prescription, with a yearly savings limit of $3,500. Plus, there are no income requirements to qualify.
To be eligible, you must:
Have private or commercial insurance
Have a valid prescription for Praluent for an approved condition
Live in the U.S., including Puerto Rico
Because of federal regulations, this program isn’t available if you have government insurance, such as Medicare or Medicaid.
3. Ask about the manufacturer’s patient assistance program
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals also has a patient assistance program for Praluent that might be worth keeping an eye on. This program typically provides Praluent at no cost for up to 12 months to eligible people, but it’s currently closed to new enrollees.
Already in the program? You may be able to enroll for another 12 months of assistance if you still meet the eligibility and income requirements. If you’re not enrolled, consider checking back periodically, since these programs sometimes reopen to new participants.
4. Check for the PAN Foundation assistance
For those who qualify, the PAN Foundation offers up to $1,900 per year to help with the cost of Praluent. To be eligible, you must be receiving treatment for hypercholesterolemia and meet other criteria.
At the moment, PAN Foundation is not accepting new or renewal applications. But it’s a good idea to check its website for updates.
5. Get a 90-day supply
Switching from monthly to 90-day refills might lower your overall cost and reduce pharmacy visits. Many insurance plans offer lower copays or bulk discounts for 3-month prescription supplies. If your insurance covers Praluent, check if your plan’s mail-order pharmacy offers additional savings.
To make the switch, ask your prescriber to write a 90-day prescription.
6. Pay with your HSA or FSA funds
Tax-free funds from your health savings account (HSA) or flexible spending account (FSA) can help cover Praluent costs. Simply use your HSA or FSA card at the pharmacy, or save your receipts for reimbursement. Remember that FSA funds usually expire at year’s end, while HSA funds roll over annually.
The bottom line
Praluent (alirocumab) is an injectable medication used to lower cholesterol levels. Two prefilled pens of Praluent 75 mg cost about $646.11 without insurance or discounts. You might pay around $643.16 for two 150 mg prefilled pens.
Anyone with a valid prescription, regardless of insurance status, can use GoodRx to buy Praluent at an exclusive cash price. You could also save on your Praluent prescription by using a manufacturer copay savings card or patient assistance program.
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 January 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 the ACA, commercial (excluding ACA) plans, Medicare, and Medicaid (both state-run and managed care plans).
References
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.
PAN Foundation. (2026). Hypercholesterolemia.
Praluent. (2025). Starting & Paying for Praluent.
