How to Help Your Patients Save Money on Verkazia: A Provider's Guide to Savings Programs

Verkazia (cyclosporine ophthalmic emulsion 0.1%) is clinically meaningful for vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) patients — but at a retail price of $1,938–$2,159 for 120 vials (approximately a 30-day supply), cost is one of the most common barriers to access. As the prescribing provider, your guidance on savings programs, prior authorization strategy, and appeals can determine whether your patient actually gets the medication they need.

This guide covers every cost-reduction resource currently available for Verkazia, along with practical implementation steps for your practice.

The Harrow Savings Program: Your First Tool

The most powerful savings tool available for Verkazia is the manufacturer's own savings program, run by Harrow Eye, LLC. The program dramatically reduces patient out-of-pocket costs across multiple insurance scenarios:

Commercially insured — drug covered: Eligible patients may pay as little as $0 per prescription

Commercially insured — drug not covered: Eligible patients may pay as little as $79 per prescription

Medicare Part D patients: Eligible patients may pay as little as $79 per prescription

Enroll patients at the time of prescribing: 1-833-4HARROW (1-833-442-7769). Proactively walk your staff through the enrollment process so it can be completed before patients leave the office.

Patient Assistance Programs for Uninsured and Low-Income Patients

For patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or do not qualify for the commercial savings program (including Medicaid patients), a patient assistance program (PAP) may provide Verkazia at no cost or significantly reduced cost. PAPs are income-based and have eligibility criteria.

Resources for identifying and enrolling in PAPs:

Harrow patient support line: 1-833-4HARROW — ask specifically about PAP eligibility for Verkazia

NeedyMeds.org: Searchable database of pharmaceutical assistance programs

RxAssist.org: Patient assistance program database with provider tools

Patient Advocate Foundation (patientadvocate.org): Free case management services for patients navigating cost barriers

Prior Authorization: Reduce Denials and Delays

Prior authorization is required for Verkazia by most commercial insurance plans. A well-documented PA submission significantly reduces denial rates and processing time. Key documentation elements to include:

Diagnosis: Clearly document vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) with relevant ICD-10 code. Include slit-lamp findings (giant papillae, Horner-Trantas dots, shield ulcers if present).

Prior therapy: Document prior trials of antihistamine eye drops, mast cell stabilizers, and short-term corticosteroids — many payers require step therapy documentation

Prescriber type: Many payers require prescription by or in consultation with an ophthalmologist or optometrist — document this clearly

Medical necessity: State explicitly that Verkazia is the only FDA-approved nonsteroidal therapy for VKC and that alternatives are either off-label, insufficient, or carry unacceptable long-term risks (corticosteroids)

Handling PA Denials: The Appeals Process

If an initial PA is denied, do not accept the denial as final. Insurance plan PA denial rates for specialty medications are high — and appeals succeed frequently with strong clinical documentation. Steps to take:

Request the specific denial reason from the insurance plan in writing

Prepare a letter of medical necessity addressing the specific denial reason — emphasize VKC severity, prior therapy failure, and the lack of alternative FDA-approved nonsteroidal options

Reference published VKC treatment guidelines and VEKTIS clinical trial data if available

Request a peer-to-peer review with the insurance plan's medical director if the written appeal is denied

Harrow's patient support team at 1-833-4HARROW can provide appeals support resources

Bridging Coverage Gaps: Keep Patients on Therapy

During PA processing or appeals — which can take weeks — patients can be left without Verkazia. Strategies to keep patients on therapy:

Request samples from Harrow if available for your practice during the PA process

Use the Harrow Savings Program to start patients on Verkazia out of pocket ($79) while the PA appeal proceeds

Prescribe short-term bridging therapy (e.g., loteprednol) to control VKC during PA processing — document this as bridging to avoid it being counted as a failed steroid step

Help Patients Find Verkazia When It's Out of Stock

Even when cost is handled, pharmacy availability remains a barrier for many Verkazia patients due to Harrow's 2025–2026 supply disruption. Direct patients to medfinder for providers — medfinder calls pharmacies near your patient to check which ones can fill the prescription. This reduces calls to your office and saves patients hours of frustration.

Provider Action Checklist for Verkazia Access

Enroll all Verkazia patients in the Harrow Savings Program at time of prescribing (1-833-4HARROW)

Submit prior authorization documentation proactively and completely at first prescribing

Route prescriptions to specialty pharmacies for most reliable fulfillment

Have a PAP referral process in place for uninsured/low-income patients

Direct patients to medfinder to help them find Verkazia in stock locally

Have a bridging therapy plan ready for patients during PA processing gaps