Key takeaways:
Verzenio (abemaciclib) is an FDA-approved medication that treats certain types of breast cancer. It comes as an oral tablet.
Verzenio’s cost without insurance can exceed $17,300 per month based on the manufacturer’s list price. Retail prices vary depending on the pharmacy, wholesaler, dosage, and other factors. There’s no generic version of abemaciclib.
Most commercial insurance plans and Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans cover Verzenio. The same is true for most Medicare and Medicaid plans. Prior authorization is common across all plan types, though.
Manufacturer savings programs — including a copay savings card for people with commercial insurance and a patient assistance program — can significantly lower the cost of Verzenio if you’re eligible.
Save on related medications
Living with breast cancer is challenging enough without the added stress of managing high medication costs. But for many people, that stress is a very real part of treatment.
Verzenio (abemaciclib) is a beneficial treatment option for many adults with hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-negative) breast cancer. But even when a medication is an essential part of care, figuring out how to pay for it can be its own hurdle — especially if you’re uninsured or have an insurance plan with a high deductible.
Understanding how Verzenio is priced, how your insurance may cover it, and what savings programs are available can help you plan ahead and avoid unexpected costs.
How much does Verzenio cost without insurance?
Verzenio’s manufacturer list price is over $17,300 per month. But retail prices may differ from the list price, depending on the pharmacy, wholesaler, prescribed dosage, and other factors. Since there’s no generic version of abemaciclib, all doses are brand-name only.
Verzenio comes in dose packs (blister packs), each containing a week’s supply of medication. Here are average retail prices for a 28-day supply of Verzenio:
Verzenio 50 mg (four 14-tablet dose packs): $16611.26
Verzenio 100 mg (four 14-tablet dose packs): $23596.86
Verzenio 150 mg (four 14-tablet dose packs): $22342.29
Verzenio 200 mg (four 14-tablet dose packs): $16433.64
What’s more, Verzenio is considered a specialty medication that’s often dispensed through specialty pharmacies. Specialty medications commonly require prior authorization before your prescription can be filled or shipped.
What factors affect the cost of Verzenio?
Several factors can influence what you’ll pay for Verzenio, including:
Insurance: If you have insurance, the cost will depend on your plan’s coverage details and cost-sharing requirements. You may have to pay out of pocket for a deductible, copays, or coinsurance.
Dosage: Verzenio is available in four doses and is typically taken twice daily. Prices may vary by dose and fill quantity.
Pharmacy: Specialty pharmacies may have different negotiated prices depending on your insurer.
Location: Medication costs differ across the U.S., and some areas consistently see higher retail prices than others. For instance, consumers in places such as Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and New Orleans tend to pay more than consumers in Denver or Houston.
Savings programs: Manufacturer copay cards and patient assistance programs may significantly lower your out-of-pocket expenses.
Does insurance cover Verzenio?
Yes, insurance coverage for Verzenio is widespread.
Nearly all commercial plans, Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans, Medicare Part D/Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicaid programs cover Verzenio. However, prior authorization is common — especially for commercial, ACA, and Medicare plans. Requirements for step therapy (trying other, less-expensive medications first), on the other hand, are rare across all insurance types.
How different insurance plans cover Verzenio
The table below reflects coverage for two commonly prescribed doses (150 mg and 200 mg tablets).
Want to save on medication costs? Try these tips to help lower your out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications.
Assessing your options: Learn about the many different breast cancer treatments available, including medications, surgery, and more.
Verzenio dosages: Most people take Verzenio (abemaciclib) twice daily, but many factors can impact how much you should take.
Curious about interactions? Learn about Verzenio’s different medication interactions.
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Verzenio 150 mg and 200 mg tablets | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
97.1% | 95.3% | 0.1% | |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 98.8% | 88.2% | 0% |
Medicare (Medicare Advantage and Part D plans) | 100% | 96.7% | 0.5% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 99.9% | 49.4% | 2.3% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of December 6, 2025 (See methodology below.)
If your insurance doesn’t cover Verzenio, try these options:
Ask your prescriber about other targeted breast cancer medications that may be preferred by your plan or cost less out of pocket.
Check to see if you qualify for financial assistance through Verzenio’s manufacturer copay savings card or patient assistance program.
Request a formulary exception from your insurer. Your prescriber may need to submit paperwork and a letter of medical necessity explaining why Verzenio is necessary for you.
If your insurer denies a formulary exception request, file an appeal.
During the open enrollment period for health insurance, look for a plan that offers better coverage for Verzenio and your other medications.
Ways to save on Verzenio
Verzenio can cost thousands of dollars if you don’t have insurance. But there are ways to lower your out-of-pocket costs with and without insurance. Here are four ways you could save.
1. See if you qualify for a copay savings card
The Verzenio Savings Card Program can significantly lower out-of-pocket costs for people with commercial insurance. Eligible enrollees can pay as little as $0 per 28-day supply up to the program’s annual maximum.
To qualify for this copay savings card, you must:
Have commercial insurance that covers Verzenio
Live in the U.S. or Puerto Rico
Have a valid Verzenio prescription for an FDA-approved use
Once activated, the card can be used each month through participating pharmacies and covers some or all of your copay or coinsurance after insurance. Benefits reset annually, and you can enroll online, over the phone by calling 1-800-545-5979, or with help from your oncology clinic or specialty pharmacy.
You aren’t eligible for this option if you’re uninsured or receive benefits through Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, the VA, or another government-funded program.
2. Check if you’re eligible for a patient assistance program
If you don’t qualify for the copay card or can’t afford Verzenio, you may be able to receive the medication at no cost through the manufacturer’s patient assistance program, Lilly Cares.
This program helps people who are uninsured or underinsured and can’t afford their prescription. To qualify, you need to meet the program’s income requirements, live in the U.S. or a U.S. territory, and have a valid prescription for an approved indication. Some Medicare enrollees may also be eligible if they meet financial criteria and have trouble affording their Part D costs.
Approved participants typically receive Verzenio for a designated enrollment period, often 12 months, with refills provided through a participating specialty pharmacy. You can apply online, by mail, or by fax, and your oncology team can help with the process. You’ll need to provide proof of income, insurance information if you have it, and documentation from your prescriber.
3. Ask about 2- to 3-month supplies
Verzenio is typically dispensed in 14-tablet dose packs, which means many people receive multiple packs per month. In some cases, receiving a 2- to 3-month supply at once may lower your per-month cost overall and streamline your treatment. This is similar to other buy-in-bulk discounts.
Your oncology care team or specialty pharmacy can help you determine whether your insurance allows larger quantity fills and whether this option makes sense for your treatment plan.
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 tax-free dollars to cover the cost of Verzenio.
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.
The bottom line
Verzenio (abemaciclib) is a prescription medication that treats specific forms of breast cancer. Without insurance, a 28-day supply can cost more than $17,300, and generics aren’t available. Coverage is common across all insurance plan types, but prior authorization requirements are almost universal.
Manufacturer savings programs and patient assistance can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs. Reviewing your insurance benefits and available support options can help ensure access to the breast cancer treatment you need.
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 December 6, 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
Elil Lilly and Company. (n.d.). How much should I expect to pay for Verzenio (abemaciclib)?
Eli Lilly and Company. (n.d.). See how you can save on Verzenio and get support along the way.
Eli Lilly and Company. (2025). Verzenio- abemaciclib tablet [package insert].
HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Appealing a health plan decision. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Lilly Cares Foundation. (n.d.). Check your eligibility.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
