Cinqair (reslizumab) is a brand-name intravenous infusion that’s prescribed for severe asthma in adults. The cost of the drug, with and without insurance, can depend on several factors, such as whether Cinqair has a savings program.

Cinqair is approved as an add-on treatment for severe eosinophilic asthma in adults. With eosinophilic asthma, there is a higher than usual number of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell).

As with all medications, the cost of Cinqair can vary. Factors that may affect the price you’ll pay include:

  • your treatment plan
  • your insurance coverage
  • the pharmacy you use
  • the cost of the visit to your healthcare professional to receive doses of Cinqair
  • whether Cinqair has a savings program (see the “Financial and insurance assistance” section below)

To find out what the cost of Cinqair will be for you, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Cinqair contains the active ingredient reslizumab, and it’s available only as a brand-name biologic drug. It doesn’t come in a biosimilar version. A biosimilar medication is a drug that’s similar to a brand-name biologic drug (the parent drug). Also, biosimilars tend to cost less than brand-name medications.

WHY ARE COSTS DIFFERENT FOR BIOLOGIC DRUGS VS. BIOSIMILAR DRUGS?

Biologic drugs can be expensive because of the research needed to test their safety and effectiveness. The manufacturer of a biologic drug can sell it for up to 12 years. When the biologic drug’s patent expires, multiple manufacturers can create biosimilar versions. This marketplace competition may lead to lower costs for biosimilars. Also, because biosimilars are very similar to biologic drugs, they don’t require the same costly testing.

If you receive Cinqair long term, you may be able to lower its cost in the following ways.

Getting a 3-month supply

You may be able to get a 90-day supply of Cinqair. If approved by your insurance company, getting a 90-day supply of the drug could help lower the cost. If you’re interested in this option, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If you need financial support to pay for Cinqair, or if you need help understanding your insurance coverage, help is available. For example:

  • The Cinqair Cost Support Program is available for Cinqair. For more information and to find out whether you’re eligible for support, call 844-838-2211 or visit the program website.
  • Some websites provide details about drug assistance programs, ways to make the most of your insurance coverage, and links to savings cards and other services. Two such websites are:

To learn more about saving money on prescriptions with or without insurance, check out this article.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about drug cost and Cinqair.

How much does Cinqair cost with insurance?

If you have insurance, your cost for Cinqair depends on factors such as:

  • your particular plan benefits, including your drug copay amount
  • your dosage of the drug
  • whether you apply and qualify for a savings program

To find out how much Cinqair will cost you with insurance, contact your insurance provider or doctor.

You can also visit Optum Perks* for price estimates for several medications. However, Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance benefits or copays.

* Optum Perks is a sister site of Medical News Today.

Is Cinqair covered by Medicare?

It may be. You can call your Medicare plan provider to learn whether your particular plan covers the cost of this drug. There are many types of Medicare plans, so your coverage and what you pay for prescriptions will be based on your particular plan’s benefits.

The total price you pay for Cinqair may also depend on the cost to receive infusions at your doctor’s office or clinic. You may also need to obtain prior authorization before your plan will cover the cost of this medication.

Your doctor may also be able to provide information about your cost for Cinqair if you have Medicare.

Below is information you may want to consider if you have insurance and receive Cinqair.

Prior authorization: If you have insurance, your insurance company may require prior authorization before it covers Cinqair. This means the company and your doctor will discuss Cinqair in regard to your treatment. The insurance company will then determine whether the medication is covered.

If a drug requires prior authorization but you start treatment without the prior approval, you could pay the full cost of the medication. You can ask your insurance company whether Cinqair requires prior authorization.

Type of insurance coverage: Cinqair is given by your doctor or another healthcare professional. If you have insurance, the price of your Cinqair doses may be billed through your medical coverage instead of the prescription drug portion of your insurance plan. This depends on your specific insurance plan and where you receive your Cinqair doses, such as at your doctor’s office, an infusion clinic, or a hospital.

If you have questions about this process, contact your doctor or your insurance provider.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today 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.