Yupelri

Introduction

Written by Skyler Todd, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Bryson Russell, PharmD, MHSA, MSc
Updated on July 15, 2024

Yupelri is a brand-name medication that’s prescribed for the maintenance of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Yupelri is not available in a generic version. The cost of Yupelri with or without insurance can depend on several factors. It might be lowered by using a coupon. 

Read on to learn about Yupelri and cost. You’ll also find available coupons and suggestions for ways to save on your prescription. If you’d like more information about Yupelri, including its uses, refer to this overview article. 

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Cost of Yupelri

Like other medications, the cost of Yupelri can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the pharmacy you use
• the cost to purchase a nebulizer to use with Yupelri
• the amount prescribed

To find out how much Yupelri costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider. They may be able to suggest ways to save money on your prescription, including those described in this article. To find out what you’d pay using savings coupons, read the “Coupons for Yupelri” section.

Coupons for Yupelri

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of Yupelri. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for Yupelri

Here’s a list of things to consider about the cost of prescription drugs:

• Prior authorization: If you have prescription drug insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers the cost of Yupelri. In this case, your doctor will communicate with your insurance company regarding your prescription for Yupelri. The insurance company will decide whether to cover the medication. If a drug requires prior authorization and you begin using it without this, you may have to pay the full price of the drug.
• Insurance coverage: Even if your policy has prescription drug coverage, the cost of your doses will depend on your specific insurance plan. If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.
• A 3-month supply: If you’re using Yupelri long term, your doctor may suggest a 90-day supply of the medication. This will have to be approved by your insurance company. Getting a 90-day supply could help lower the drug’s cost. It could also save you time having to make trips to your pharmacy.
• Savings accounts: If you’re eligible for a health savings account (HSA) or a flexible spending account (FSA), you can likely use funds from these accounts to pay for your prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. HSA and FSA plans help people save money by using pretax dollars to pay for eligible healthcare expenses, such as prescription and OTC drugs. To learn more about whether you’re eligible for these savings accounts and how to use them, talk with your insurance provider or employer.

If you have questions about any of these considerations, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Or contact your insurance company and talk with a representative.

If you don’t have a health insurance plan, let your doctor or pharmacist know. They may suggest online pharmacy options you could use. You can also ask them about ways to obtain health insurance coverage.

Brand names vs. generics

Yupelri is a brand-name medication. It’s not available in a generic version.

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) The active ingredient in Yupelri is revefenacin.

Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name versions.

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about generic and brand-name medications.

Why costs are different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can patent and sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions.

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications. So they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Common questions about Yupelri and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about Yupelri.

Is Yupelri covered by Medicare?

Possibly. Like other insurance plans, Medicare coverage for medications varies depending on the specific plan you have. The list of drugs a plan covers is called a formulary. A plan’s formulary may change over time, so be sure to check with your insurance provider to learn which drugs are covered.

Is there a Yupelri patient assistance program?

Yes, the manufacturer offers both a patient assistance program and a savings card for Yupelri. You must meet certain criteria to be eligible for assistance. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more information, or visit the manufacturer’s website.

Prescription drug coupons could also help lower your cost. See the “Coupons for Yupelri” section to learn more.

How does the cost of Yupelri compare with alternative medications for COPD?

This depends on several factors, including which medication you’re prescribed, what pharmacy you use, and if you have insurance or use a coupon. Other COPD medications may be available as generic versions, which means they may cost less than Yupelri. Talk with your doctor about which COPD treatment is best for you.

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm
• Yupelri (revefenacin) inhalation solution, for oral inhalation. (2022). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/210598s003lbl.pdf

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.