Key Takeaways

  • Most Medicare plans cover Eliquis (apixaban), which doctors may use to treat atrial fibrillation (AFib) and to help treat and prevent some types of blood clots.
  • The Medicare Part D drug plan you choose will determine your exact costs, and there may be some out-of-pocket expenses.
  • Medicare may also cover other care and treatments for people with atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Eliquis is also used to prevent or treat blood clots in the legs (deep vein thrombosis) and blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism).

Keep reading to learn more about Medicare coverage for Eliquis and other AFib treatments.

Yes, Medicare plans cover Eliquis (apixaban). For Medicare to cover your Eliquis prescription, you must have either a Medicare Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan. Both options are sold by private insurance companies approved by Medicare.

Additionally, your prescription drug plan must include Eliquis in its formulary. A formulary is a list of medications covered by a prescription drug plan.

Medicare Part D plans add prescription drug coverage to Original Medicare. Original Medicare consists of Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).

Medicare Advantage plans include Part A and Part B coverage while offering benefits such as prescription drug coverage and dental, vision, and hearing care.

Most Part D and Medicare Advantage plans come with:

  • a premium (what you pay for your coverage)
  • a yearly deductible (what you pay for medication and healthcare before your plan starts paying a share)
  • copayments and coinsurance (after you meet your deductible, you and your plan each pay a share of a service’s cost)

Before committing to a Part D or Part C plan, review the availability. Plans vary in cost and drug availability. Each plan will have its own list of covered prescription drugs and vaccines called a formulary.

According to the manufacturer of Eliquis, in 2025, the list price for a 30-day supply of Eliquis is $606, but Medicare beneficiaries pay, on average, $54 per month. And 5 out of 10 people on Medicare who take Eliquis pay $40 or less. The Medicare drug plan you select will determine your exact cost.

Medicare has a program for low income individuals called the Extra Help program. Individuals who receive Extra Help pay $0 to $12.15 per month for Eliquis in 2025. If you qualify for Extra Help in 2025, you could pay no more than $4.90 for each generic covered drug and $12.15 for each brand-name covered drug.

Beginning in 2026, Medicare will negotiate the cost of 10 drugs for Medicare recipients. Eliquis is one of these 10 medications. In the future, Medicare enrollees may expect to pay less for this medication.

Your deductible and copay will be the primary determining factors in the amount you pay for Eliquis.

Beyond prescription drugs like Eliquis, Medicare may cover other treatments for AFib.

If you’re hospitalized as a result of your AFib, Medicare Part A may cover inpatient hospital and skilled nursing facility care.

Medicare Part B generally covers AFib-related outpatient care, such as

For eligible beneficiaries with certain heart conditions, Medicare often covers cardiac rehabilitation programs, such as:

  • counseling
  • education
  • exercise therapy

Medicare will cover Eliquis if you have Medicare prescription drug coverage.

You can get Medicare prescription drug coverage from Medicare-approved private insurance companies. The two programs are Medicare Part D, an add-on coverage to Medicare Parts A and B, and Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C), which provides your Part A and B coverage plus your Part D coverage.

Eliquis is used to treat atrial fibrillation. Medicare may cover other care and treatments for people with AFib.