1. Why Eliquis and Jardiance Prices Are Being Reduced

In 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) completed its first round of drug price negotiations with pharmaceutical manufacturers.

These negotiations — the first in U.S. history — aim to lower out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries on the most expensive and commonly used drugs.

Eliquis and Jardiance were both selected because they:

Rank among the top 10 drugs by Medicare spending

Have been on the market for over a decade

Lack generic competition (until now)

💡 Key context: Eliquis alone accounted for more than $16 billion in Medicare spending in 2023, while Jardiance surpassed $7 billion.

2. What the 2026 Price Cuts Mean

Starting January 1, 2026, new Medicare-negotiated prices will take effect for both medications.

This means lower costs for millions of older adults who rely on them to manage heart conditions, diabetes, and related complications.

Projected average savings:

Eliquis: Up to 60% reduction in cost per prescription

Jardiance: Estimated 45–55% decrease

Savings could amount to $400–$800 per year for the average Medicare patient

💡 Example: A 90-day Eliquis prescription that currently costs around $500 under Part D could drop to $200 or less after the adjustment.

3. How the Inflation Reduction Act Made It Possible

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), passed in 2022, gave Medicare the authority to directly negotiate drug prices for the first time.

Key provisions include:

Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program: Allows CMS to negotiate with drugmakers for top-spending drugs.

Out-of-Pocket Cap: Beginning in 2025, Medicare Part D beneficiaries will have a $2,000 annual cap on drug expenses.

Inflation Rebates: Drugmakers must pay rebates if they increase prices faster than inflation.

💡 Result: These combined reforms are expected to save $98 billion in federal spending and reduce costs for millions of seniors over the next decade.

4. Drugs Affected Alongside Eliquis and Jardiance

The 2026 Medicare price list includes 10 high-cost drugs, such as:

Eliquis (Bristol Myers Squibb / Pfizer) – blood thinner

Jardiance (Boehringer Ingelheim / Eli Lilly) – diabetes & heart failure

Xarelto – another blood thinner alternative

Januvia – diabetes medication

Farxiga – similar to Jardiance for type 2 diabetes

Enbrel and Imbruvica – used for autoimmune and cancer treatments

💡 Tip: More drugs will be added annually, with 15 additional medications slated for negotiation in 2027.

5. How Patients Can Access Lower Prices

Here’s what to expect if you’re currently prescribed Eliquis or Jardiance:

For Medicare beneficiaries:

Price reductions will apply automatically through Part D plans — no separate enrollment needed.

Pharmacists and plan providers will update their pricing structures starting early 2026.

Out-of-pocket spending will count toward the new $2,000 annual cap.

For non-Medicare patients:

Commercial insurance and cash prices may not immediately reflect the same reductions.

However, increased competition and transparency often push private insurers to follow suit within a year.

💡 Tip: Check your Part D plan’s 2026 formulary in advance — some plans may further reduce copays or switch to preferred pharmacy tiers.

6. Generic Competition on the Horizon

While no generic versions of Eliquis or Jardiance are widely available yet, patent expirations could further reduce prices:

Eliquis: Patent set to expire 2028, though some generic challenges may arrive earlier.

Jardiance: Patent protection expected until 2029, with pending biosimilar and generic developments in motion.

💡 Insight: When generics enter the market, prices typically fall an additional 70–80% within the first year.

7. What Doctors and Pharmacists Are Saying

Healthcare providers are optimistic about how the 2026 price cuts will affect adherence and outcomes.

Many patients skip doses or ration medication due to high costs — particularly for long-term conditions like atrial fibrillation or diabetes.

💬 “Lowering prices for these medications will directly translate to better health outcomes. Fewer skipped doses mean fewer hospitalizations,” says Dr. Alicia Mendez, a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

8. What to Do Before the Price Change

Review your Medicare Part D plan during Open Enrollment (Oct 15 – Dec 7, 2025).

Confirm your current medication list with your doctor — some may switch to cost-saving alternatives.

Monitor updates from CMS and your insurer for official 2026 pricing announcements.

💡 Tip: You can already preview which drugs are included in the negotiation list at Medicare.gov/drug-price-negotiation