The Cost of Eylea Is a Real Barrier for Many Patients

As a retina specialist or ophthalmologist, you know that Eylea (aflibercept) is one of the most effective treatments available for wet AMD, diabetic macular edema, and other retinal diseases. You also know that its cost — roughly $1,800 to $2,200 per injection without insurance — is a significant concern for many patients.

Even with insurance, out-of-pocket costs can add up quickly. For a patient receiving injections every 4 to 8 weeks, annual treatment costs can reach tens of thousands of dollars. This financial burden contributes to treatment non-adherence, delayed care, and ultimately, preventable vision loss.

This guide outlines the savings programs, assistance options, and practice-level strategies available to help your patients afford their Eylea treatment. For a broader look at helping patients access Eylea, see our provider's guide to finding Eylea in stock.

What Your Patients Are Actually Paying

Understanding the financial landscape helps you have more effective conversations with patients about cost.

Medicare Part B Patients

Eylea is a physician-administered drug billed under the medical benefit. For Medicare Part B beneficiaries, the standard cost-sharing is 20% coinsurance after the Part B deductible. At current pricing, this means patients may owe $350 to $450 per injection out of pocket — which amounts to $2,000 to $5,000+ annually depending on injection frequency.

Patients with Medigap supplemental insurance or Medicare Advantage plans may have lower out-of-pocket costs, but coverage varies significantly.

Commercially Insured Patients

Copays and coinsurance for commercially insured patients vary widely by plan. Some patients face flat copays of $50 to $100 per injection, while others with high-deductible plans may owe the full contracted rate until they meet their deductible. Prior authorization is commonly required, and some plans mandate step therapy with Avastin (bevacizumab) before covering Eylea.

Uninsured and Underinsured Patients

Patients without adequate insurance face the full cost of treatment, which is effectively prohibitive for most. These patients are at the highest risk of going untreated.

Manufacturer Savings Programs: Eylea4U

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals operates the Eylea4U program, which offers several tiers of financial support.

Copay Assistance (Commercially Insured)

The Eylea4U copay card is available to commercially insured patients and can reduce their out-of-pocket cost to as little as $0 per injection. Key details for your practice:

• Patients must have commercial (non-government) insurance
• The card covers copays, coinsurance, and deductible amounts for Eylea
• Annual maximum benefit limits may apply (check current terms)
• Enrollment can be done online, by phone, or with the help of your billing staff
• The card is not available for patients on Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or other government programs

Patient Assistance Program (PAP)

For patients who are uninsured or underinsured, Regeneron's Patient Assistance Program may provide Eylea at no cost. Eligibility is typically based on income and insurance status. Your practice can help patients apply, though the process requires documentation of financial need.

Practice Considerations

Many retina practices designate a financial coordinator or billing specialist to manage Eylea4U enrollment. This is worth the investment — when patients can afford their treatment, adherence improves, outcomes improve, and your practice avoids the challenges of rescheduling or losing patients to cost barriers.

Register your practice at the Eylea4U provider portal to streamline enrollment and claims processing.

Third-Party Copay Assistance and Foundations

Beyond manufacturer programs, several independent foundations offer copay assistance for patients with retinal diseases:

• HealthWell Foundation — Offers copay assistance for AMD and retinal disease treatments (fund availability varies)
• Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation — Provides financial support for underinsured patients on specific therapies
• Chronic Disease Fund — May cover copays for qualifying patients with retinal conditions
• BrightFocus Foundation — While primarily a research organization, they maintain resources directing patients to financial assistance

These funds open and close based on available funding. Your billing team should check availability regularly and apply on behalf of patients as soon as funds open.

Coupon and Discount Card Options

For patients with commercial insurance who don't qualify for or haven't enrolled in Eylea4U, third-party coupon platforms may offer limited savings. However, for a physician-administered specialty biologic like Eylea, these platforms are less impactful than they are for retail pharmacy medications:

• GoodRx and SingleCare may list Eylea pricing at specialty pharmacies, but savings are generally modest for buy-and-bill drugs
• Coupon cards are not applicable to Medicare or Medicaid patients due to federal anti-kickback statutes

In most cases, the manufacturer's Eylea4U program will provide better savings than third-party coupon cards for this specific medication.

Biosimilar and Alternative Options

As of early 2026, no FDA-approved biosimilar for aflibercept is available, though several are in advanced development. When biosimilars do reach the market, they are expected to cost 15–30% less than branded Eylea, which could meaningfully reduce costs for patients and payers.

Current Alternatives

For patients where cost is the primary barrier, you may consider:

• Avastin (bevacizumab) — Compounded for intravitreal use at approximately $50–100 per injection. While off-label for ophthalmic use, it has extensive clinical evidence supporting its efficacy in wet AMD and DME. Many insurance plans require Avastin as first-line therapy.
• Vabysmo (faricimab) — Priced similarly to Eylea but may offer extended dosing intervals (up to 16 weeks), which reduces the total number of annual injections and associated costs.
• Eylea HD (8 mg) — The higher-dose formulation may allow intervals of up to 16 weeks between injections. Though the per-injection cost may be comparable, fewer annual visits translate to lower total treatment costs for patients.

Switching therapies should always be a clinical decision based on disease activity, treatment response, and patient preference — not solely on cost. However, for patients who are struggling financially, transitioning to a more affordable option may be preferable to treatment interruption.

Having Cost Conversations With Patients

Cost is a significant but often unspoken barrier to adherence. Many patients will miss appointments or delay treatment rather than tell you they can't afford it. Proactive cost conversations can prevent this.

Best Practices

• Normalize the conversation. Lead with something like: "Eylea is an important treatment, and I want to make sure cost doesn't get in the way. Let's talk about your options."
• Involve your billing team early. Introduce patients to your financial coordinator before or during their first injection visit, not after they've already encountered a surprise bill.
• Screen all new Eylea patients for copay assistance eligibility. Make it part of your intake workflow.
• Follow up. If a patient misses an appointment, have staff check whether cost was a factor before assuming it was scheduling or motivation.

For Medicare Patients

Medicare patients have fewer assistance options since copay cards from manufacturers cannot be used with government insurance. For these patients:

• Explore independent foundation grants (HealthWell, PAN Foundation)
• Verify whether Medigap or Medicare Advantage supplemental coverage reduces their coinsurance
• Consider Avastin as a clinically appropriate, lower-cost alternative
• Refer to Regeneron's Patient Assistance Program if income qualifies

Practice-Level Strategies

Buy-and-Bill Optimization

Most retina practices operate on a buy-and-bill model for Eylea. Optimizing your billing processes can ensure you're maximizing reimbursement and minimizing write-offs:

• Verify insurance eligibility and benefits before each injection
• Submit prior authorizations promptly and appeal denials
• Use the correct J-codes and modifiers for Eylea billing
• Track and reconcile accounts receivable for anti-VEGF medications

Inventory and Supply Management

Given intermittent supply constraints, maintaining adequate Eylea inventory is essential. Work with your specialty distributor to forecast demand, and consider registering with medfinder.com/providers to connect with supply resources and help patients locate your practice when other providers are out of stock.

Final Thoughts

Helping patients afford Eylea is part of delivering excellent retinal care. The financial barriers are real — but so are the solutions. By proactively enrolling patients in the Eylea4U program, screening for foundation assistance, and having open conversations about cost, you can improve adherence and outcomes while reducing the risk of preventable vision loss.

For more provider-focused resources, see our guides on helping patients find Eylea in stock and the Eylea shortage update for prescribers. Register your practice at medfinder.com/providers to expand your visibility to patients searching for Eylea providers.