Treatments: Cost & Coverage
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Antiviral treatments are available at no or low cost to most people.
Learn more about how you can access treatment for infectious respiratory diseases.
How can I get antivirals for COVID-19 and flu?
Antivirals for COVID-19 and influenza (flu) are available with a prescription from a healthcare provider, and in many cases, from a state-licensed pharmacist. Cost and coverage options vary depending on the drug.
Insurance Coverage of Antivirals for COVID-19
The price you’ll pay for antivirals for COVID-19 varies depending on the type of antiviral and your insurance plan. Check with your insurance provider about coverage.
Antiviral Treatment Cost and Coverage
| PAXLOVID | LAGEVRIO | |
|---|---|---|
MEDICARE |
The US Government Patient Assistance Program (USG PAP) no longer covers the full cost of Paxlovid for all Medicare patients. The program will continue to cover certain Medicare patients facing high co-pays. USG PAP now includes income eligibility criteria. Patients with Medicare and Medicaid should check their plans for Paxlovid coverage. |
Lagevrio may be available with low co-pay through Medicare Part D and some state Medicaid prescription drug programs. For financial help, call 1-800-727-5400 or visit merckhelps.com/LAGEVRIO** which provides Lagevrio free of charge if you are eligible. |
UNINSURED |
Your PAXLOVID may be free with a voucher through the US Government Patient Assistance Program (USG PAP) operated by Pfizer.* To enroll in the USG PAP call 1-877-219-7225 or visit PAXCESS Patient Portal To find COVID-19 medications near you, visit treatments.hhs.gov |
The MerckHelps program can help provide Lagevrio free of charge to eligible individuals, primarily uninsured patients who, without this assistance, could not afford the medicine |
FEDERAL |
You can access Paxlovid for free through federal sources, including DoD, VA, HRSA-supported health centers, Indian Health Service, and others. |
|
PRIVATE |
Check with your insurance provider about coverage. Patients with private insurance may be eligible for the PAXCESS Co-Pay Savings Program. Patients can save up to $1,500 in out-of-pocket costs. Enroll in the in the Co-Pay Savings Program to download and activate a co-pay card. |
Merck offers a co-pay savings program for eligible, privately insured patients to save on out-of-pocket costs for Lagevrio prescriptions |
*These include pharmacies participating in PAXCESS US Government Patient Assistance Program operated by Pfizer.
**This is part of the MerckHelps Patient Assistance Program.
There are patient assistance programs, co-pay programs, and other plans to help ensure COVID-19 treatments will continue to be available at no or low cost for most individuals.
- For Paxlovid: As of March 1, 2025, the US Government Patient Assistance Program (USG PAP) no longer covers the full cost of Paxlovid for all Medicare patients. The program will continue to cover certain Medicare patients facing high co-pays.
- The program now includes income eligibility criteria and patients with Medicare and Medicaid should check their plans for Paxlovid coverage.
- Uninsured and underinsured patients may be eligible to enroll in USG PAP to receive Paxlovid at no cost while government supply lasts (or until Dec. 31, 2028).
- To enroll in the USG PAP, call 1-877-219-7225 or visit the PAXCESS Patient Portal.
- Those who receive care from federal entities, including Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-supported health centers, Indian Health Service, Veterans Health Administration, and others will have continued access to free antiviral treatments.
- Individuals with commercial insurance can access the PAXCESS Co-Pay savings program (eligible patients can pay as little as $0). To enroll in the Pfizer Co-Pay Program, visit the Paxlovid Co-Pay Savings Program.
- For Veklury: Through the Gilead Patient Assistance Program (Advancing Access), eligible individuals may be able to receive financial support in accessing Veklury.
- Gilead’s Advancing Access | veklury.com/patient-support/
- For Lagevrio: Through the Merck Patient Assistance Program (MerckHelps), eligible individuals, primarily the uninsured, who without assistance could not otherwise afford the medicine, can receive Lagevrio free of charge. Individuals who don’t meet the insurance criteria may still qualify for this program under certain circumstances and if their income meets the program criteria.
- MerckHelps | 1-800-727-5400 | merckhelps.com/lagevrio
Insurance Coverage of Antivirals for Flu
Antivirals for flu may be covered if you have private insurance, Medicare Part D, or Medicaid. Like most medications, the price you’ll pay for antivirals varies depending on the type of antiviral and your insurance plan. Check with your insurance provider about coverage.
For those without insurance or those whose insurance plan does not adequately cover the cost of antivirals for flu, there are patient assistance programs, co-pay programs, and other plans to help support access to flu treatments at low cost or no cost.
- For Tamiflu (Oseltamivir): Through the Genentech Patient Assistance Program, eligible individuals who without assistance could not otherwise afford the medicine may be able to receive Tamiflu free of charge.
- Genentech Patient Resource Center | 1-877-436-3683
- For Marboxil (Baloxavir): Through the Genentech Patient Assistance Program, eligible individuals who without assistance could not otherwise afford the medicine may be able to receive Marboxil free of charge.
- Genentech Patient Resource Center | 1-877-436-3683
- For Relenza (Zanamivir): Through the GSK Patient Assistance Program (GSK for You), eligible individuals who without assistance could not otherwise afford the medicines may be able to receive Relenza free of charge.
- GSK for You | 1-866-728-4368 | gskforyou.com
How can I get treatments for other infectious respiratory diseases?
Talk to a healthcare provider about treatment options for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), pneumococcal disease, and pertussis (whooping cough). Cost and coverage options can vary, and there are patient assistance programs, co-pay programs, and other plans to help treatments be available at no or low cost for most individuals.
