Key takeaways:
Taltz (ixekizumab) is a prescription medication that treats autoimmune conditions such as plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It’s administered as a subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection using a prefilled syringe or an injection pen.
Many insurance plans cover Taltz, though prior authorization and step therapy are often required. Coverage through Medicare may be more limited. Check with your plan to learn more.
The list price of Taltz is $7,261.51 for 1 syringe or injection pen. But manufacturer copay cards and patient assistance programs can help make your prescription more affordable.
Save on related medications
Taltz (ixekizumab) is a biologic medication that helps manage inflammatory conditions such as plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. It works by blocking interleukin-17A, a protein that causes inflammation in the body.
Because Taltz is a specialty medication, cost can sometimes be a barrier — especially for those without insurance. Even with coverage, your plan may require prior authorization or other steps before it will pay for Taltz. Understanding these requirements, expected costs, and ways to save can help you avoid delays and make Taltz more affordable.
How much does Taltz cost?
Without insurance or discounts, the list price of Taltz is $7,261.51 for a single syringe or injection pen as of November 2025. Most people start with 2 syringes or pens for their first dose, followed by 1 syringe or pen every 4 weeks thereafter.
Taltz is available as a brand-name medication only. There are no lower-cost versions (called biosimilars) on the market.
Which factors affect the cost of Taltz?
Several factors can affect how much you’ll pay for Taltz, including:
Insurance coverage: Whether your plan covers Taltz and where it’s placed on your formulary (list of covered medications) can significantly change your cost.
Dose and frequency: When starting Taltz, you may begin with two back-to-back injections before transitioning to a monthly maintenance dose.
Pharmacy: Taltz is a specialty medication, meaning that it’s available only through certain pharmacies. Prices can vary between pharmacies.
Manufacturer and savings programs: Copay cards, patient assistance programs, and other discounts can help reduce how much you pay for Taltz.
Does insurance cover Taltz?
Many commercial insurance, Affordable Care Act (ACA), and Medicaid plans cover Taltz. Coverage is less common with Medicare.
Coverage requirements can also differ by plan. In many cases, you’ll need prior authorization to confirm that Taltz is medically necessary. And you may have to try another medication before your plan covers Taltz (called step therapy).
How different insurance plans cover Taltz
The table below shows how coverage, prior authorization, and step therapy requirements vary by insurance type. The percentages are for the Taltz injection pen, but they’re similar for the prefilled syringe.
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Taltz | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
80.1% | 77.9% | 67.5% | |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 71.7% | 64.6% | 63.2% |
Medicare (Medicare Advantage and Part D plans) | 12.3% | 9% | 7.4% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.6% | 97.2% | 78.7% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of September 11, 2025 (See methodology below.)
If your insurance doesn’t cover Taltz, try these options:
Check if you’re eligible for manufacturer assistance. You may qualify for a Taltz copay card or patient assistance program through the manufacturer, Eli Lilly.
Request a formulary exception. Your prescriber can submit documentation explaining why Taltz is medically necessary. You can file an appeal if the exception isn’t approved.
Work with your specialty pharmacy. They often have dedicated support teams who can help navigate prior authorizations and savings programs.
Ask your prescriber about alternatives. Other similar medications, such as Cosentyx (secukinumab), may be covered under your plan.
Compare plans during open enrollment. If you have the option to switch coverage, you can look for plans that list Taltz as a preferred biologic.
How they compare: Taltz (ixekizumab) is one of several biologics available for plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. See how Taltz compares with Humira, Stelara, and more.
What to know about Taltz for psoriatic arthritis: Learn about how Taltz works, what it’s used for, potential side effects, and more.
How much to inject: Learn about typical Taltz dosages and what to do if you miss your dose.
Ways to save on Taltz
Taltz can cost thousands of dollars per month, especially if you don’t have insurance. But there are several ways to reduce your costs. Here are four options to consider.
1. See if you qualify for a copay savings card
If you have commercial insurance, you may be eligible for the Taltz Savings Card. If your insurance covers Taltz, you could pay as little as $5 per month with the card. But if Taltz isn’t covered, you could pay as little as $25 per month.
2. Check if you’re eligible for a patient assistance program
If you don’t have insurance or your income is limited, the Lilly Cares Foundation patient assistance program may provide Taltz at no cost. To qualify, you must:
Be uninsured, have Medicare Part D, or have Medicare Part B without supplemental or secondary insurance
Be a permanent resident of the U.S., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands
Meet the program’s income requirements
Not be enrolled in Medicaid, Veterans Affairs benefits, or Medicare Extra Help
You can complete an application online or print an application to submit via fax or mail. If preferred, you can have an application mailed to you by calling 1-800-545-6962. Your prescriber will also need to fill out a portion of the application before you send it in.
3. Ask about 90-day supplies
Some insurance plans and specialty pharmacies may allow a 90-day supply of Taltz. Getting a larger supply at once can make it more convenient to stay on schedule and may help lower your overall medication costs.
4. Tap into 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 funds to help pay for Taltz. These accounts let you use pretax dollars for eligible medical costs, which can make your treatment more affordable.
You can typically use HSA, FSA, or HRA funds to cover:
Prescription costs, including Taltz copays or coinsurance
Prescriber visits and lab tests related to your treatment
Supplies or administration fees if applicable
To avoid any issues, save your receipts or documents showing your Taltz expenses.
The bottom line
Taltz (ixekizumab) is a medication that treats inflammatory conditions such as plaque psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Without insurance or other discounts, the list price of Taltz is $7,261.51 for 1 prefilled syringe or injection pen.
Many insurance plans cover Taltz, but prior authorization and step therapy may be required. Coverage through Medicare may be more limited.
If you don’t have insurance, or if Taltz isn’t covered, there are ways to make your prescription more affordable. Your specialty pharmacy can help you navigate copay cards, patient assistance programs, and other savings opportunities.
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
Eli Lilly and Company. (n.d.). How much should I expect to pay for Taltz (ixekizumab)?
Eli Lilly and Company. (2024). Taltz- ixekizumab injection, solution [package insert].
Eli Lilly and Company. (2025). Information for Colorado prescribers of prescription drugs.
Lilly Cares Foundation. (n.d.). Check your eligibility.
Lilly Cares Foundation. (2025). Patient assistance program application.
Lilly Support Services. (n.d.). Access savings and support with Lilly Support Services for Taltz.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
