Key takeaways:
Vtama (tapinarof) is a topical cream used to treat plaque psoriasis in adults. It’s also approved to treat atopic dermatitis (eczema) in people ages 2 and older.
One tube of Vtama cream costs an average of $1846.36 without insurance. But a GoodRx discount could lower the cost to as low as $1536.36.
Insurance coverage for Vtama varies by plan type. You may be able to pay as little as $0 for a tube of the medication if you qualify for the manufacturer’s copay savings card.
Save on related medications
Vtama (tapinarof) is a prescription-only topical cream used to treat plaque psoriasis in adults. It’s also FDA-approved to treat atopic dermatitis (eczema) in people ages 2 and older.
Unlike many topical treatments for skin conditions, Vtama isn’t a steroid. It works differently to help reduce inflammation and improve skin health.
There isn’t a generic version available for Vtama, and out-of-pocket costs for the medication can reach over $1,000 per month, depending on many factors. But you may be able to reduce your costs with a GoodRx discount or the manufacturer’s copay savings card.
How much does Vtama cost?
Vtama comes in a 60 g tube and is applied to affected areas once daily. Without insurance or discounts, 1 tube of Vtama cream costs an average of $1846.36. What you’ll actually pay for your prescription depends on several factors, including:
Where you live: Prescription medication prices often vary by location. GoodRx research shows that people in Houston, for example, often pay less for prescription medications than those in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Pharmacy: Pharmacies — even those near one another — can charge different prices for the same prescription medications.
Insurance: Insurance coverage for Vtama varies by plan type. But even with insurance coverage, you may still have to pay a deductible, copay, or coinsurance.
Discounts: You can lower your cost for Vtama if you qualify for the manufacturer’s copay savings card or use a GoodRx discount.
Does insurance cover Vtama?
Coverage for Vtama varies across insurance types. Prior authorization (when you’re required to get approval from your insurer before getting the medication) and step therapy rules (when you’re required to try other, usually lower-cost options first) also vary by insurance type.
Nearly all Medicaid enrollees have coverage for the medication if they receive prior authorization. About 9 in 10 people with commercial insurance and more than half of those with Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans also have coverage, though roughly half are required to get prior authorization. Only about 1 in 8 Medicare beneficiaries have coverage for the medication.
To understand your specific coverage and costs, check your plan’s list of covered medications, known as a formulary, or contact your insurer.
How different insurance plans cover Vtama
The table below details how various insurance types cover Vtama, plus whether prior authorization or step therapy are required.
Insurance type | Enrollees covered for Vtama 1% topical cream | Enrollees required to get prior authorization | Enrollees required to do step therapy |
|---|---|---|---|
56.3% | 50.9% | 46.6% | |
Commercial plans (excluding ACA plans) | 86.8% | 51.7% | 61.9% |
Medicare (Medicare Advantage and Part D plans) | 11.8% | 7.9% | 3.9% |
Medicaid, including state-run and managed care plans | 97.9% | 96.1% | 45.7% |
Source: Managed Markets Insight & Technology, LLC™, as of December 6, 2025. (See methodology below.)
Here are some steps to try if your insurance doesn’t cover Vtama or your out-of-pocket costs are too high:
Apply for the manufacturer’s copay savings card. (See below for more information.)
Ask your prescriber about other eczema or plaque psoriasis treatments, depending on your condition, that may be covered by your plan and could have lower out-of-pocket costs.
Request a formulary exception to get Vtama covered by your plan. This will likely require your prescriber to submit a letter of medical necessity and supporting documentation explaining why this medication is needed for you.
File an appeal if your insurer denies the formulary exception request.
During open enrollment, compare insurance plans to find one that provides better coverage for your medications.
There are ways to save on your prescription costs. Use these money-saving tips to lower your out-of-pocket costs for prescription medications.
You can use your health savings account (HSA) to pay for Vtama. Here’s how your HSA can help cover the cost of several qualifying medical expenses, including Vtama (tapinarof).
Vtama side effects: Pharmacists explain common Vtama side effects and how to manage them.
Ways to save on Vtama
Vtama can cost over $1,000 per month without insurance coverage or discounts. But here are five ways to reduce your costs:
1. Check if you’re eligible for the manufacturer’s copay savings card
You may be able to reduce your out-of-pocket costs for Vtama through the MyVtama Savings Card offered by Organon. If you have commercial insurance, you may pay as little as $0 and no more than $35 for up to a 90-day supply of the medication.
To qualify, you must:
Have a valid prescription for Vtama
Have commercial insurance with a copay requirement for the medication
Not be enrolled in Medicare Part D, Medicaid, Medigap, Tricare, Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DoD), or any other government-sponsored healthcare program
Be 18 years or older
Live in the United States or Puerto Rico
The card can be used once every 25 days and can’t be combined with other discounts or savings offers.
2. Save with a GoodRx discount
With or without insurance, a free GoodRx discount could help lower the cost of 1 tube of Vtama to as low as $1536.36.
To get the discount:
Visit www.goodrx.com or download the app.
Search for “Vtama,” then click on “Find the lowest prices.”
Select the quantity, and input your location to see prices at local pharmacies.
Choose how you’d like to receive the coupon: text, email, or printout. If you’re using the GoodRx app, keep the coupon ready on your phone screen or save it to your digital wallet.
To avoid delays, tell the pharmacy staff you’ll be using a GoodRx discount before they process your prescription.
3. Compare pharmacy prices
The price of Vtama can vary depending on where you fill your prescription. You can call a few pharmacies in your area to ask or quickly compare prices online at GoodRx to get the best deal.
4. Look into a 90-day supply
Filling a 3-month supply of Vtama instead of refilling monthly can help you save money. Many insurance plans offer lower out-of-pocket costs overall for 3-month supplies of medications. You might also find additional savings through your insurer’s mail-order pharmacy. You may also be able to take advantage of bulk discounts offered by some pharmacies if you pay for the medication entirely out of pocket.
Ask your prescriber for a 90-day prescription, then compare costs with your pharmacy and insurance plan to see if this option saves you money.
5. Use your tax-advantaged healthcare account
A health savings account (HSA), flexible spending account (FSA), or health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) can help you save on many qualified healthcare expenses, including the cost of Vtama. Simply use your HSA or FSA card at the pharmacy counter, or save your receipts for reimbursement.
HSA funds roll over annually and are available for use anytime. You must use your FSA funds by the end of the plan year or you’ll lose them, unless your employer provides a grace period or allows you to carry over a portion. HRA rollover rules depend on your employer.
The bottom line
Without insurance or discounts, 1 tube of Vtama (tapinarof) cream costs around $1846.36. Your actual cost depends on the pharmacy you use, your location, and your insurance coverage.
If you meet the manufacturer’s copay savings card qualification requirements, you may pay as little as $0 and no more than $35 for up to a 90-day supply of Vtama. Other ways to save include using a GoodRx discount, comparing prices at different pharmacies, or filling a 90-day supply. You can also use funds from your tax-advantaged healthcare account to help pay for your prescription.
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 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
Healthcare.gov. (n.d.) Appealing a health plan decision. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Managed care. U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Organon. (2025). Vtama- tapinarof cream [package insert]. DailyMed
Vtama. (2026). MyVtama Savings Program. Organon.
