What is the cost of Provenge (sipuleucel-T)? Men with late-stage prostate cancer that has spread after hormone therapy or surgery may want to ask about the cost of treatment to help them make medical decisions.
Provenge costs $93,000 for the full six-week treatment, which includes three infusions. The reason for the high cost of Provenge is that it is the only immunotherapy for late-stage metastatic prostate cancer. Each dose is made specifically for the patient, using cells from his own body to fight the cancer.
Treatment involves removing blood from the patient, harvesting immune cells, and returning the blood to the patient. The immune cells are reprogrammed to attack prostate cancer and are returned to the patient in an infusion. Infusions are given every two weeks for six weeks.
There are additional costs associated with Provenge, such as deductibles, co-pays for doctor visits, or other costs such as parking or travel expenses.
Assistance for the cost of Provenge
The good news about the cost of Provenge is that Medicare covers it. Most insurance plans also cover Provenge, so be sure to ask your doctor if your plan is one of them. Whether you have coverage or not, you may be eligible for financial support for the cost of Provenge from the drug’s manufacturer, Dendreon.
Dendreon offers financial assistance for patients taking Provenge. Provenge may be provided free for patients without insurance or those who demonstrate a financial need. For patients who qualify, Dendreon may reimburse or offer financial assistance for co-pays, co-insurance, or deductibles. You can call 1-877-336-3736 to find out if you qualify. About 75% of patients receiving Provenge are expected to have minimal to no out-of-pocket costs.
Patient assistance programs for the cost of Provenge include:
- PROvide for patients with commercial insurance. PROvide supports eligible patients by covering costs such as co-pays, co-insurance, or deductibles (maximum of $6,000).
- Co-pay Assistance for Patients With Medicare to help with co-pays, co-insurance, and deductible costs for eligible patients.
- The PROVENGE Uninsured Patient Program to help eligible patients to get Provenge free of cost.
- Travel Cost Assistance to help with treatment-related travel costs for eligible patients.
In addition, Dendreon also offers extended payment terms for Provenge. You can find the application here.
If you and your doctor feel that Provenge is the right treatment for you, you should be able to find an affordable way to get the medication through Medicare, your private insurance, or through any of the financial assistance programs offered by the manufacturer.
Read more in our Prostate Cancer Health Center.
