Actemra Copay Card: Pay as Little as $O Per Treatment

Genentech’s official Actemra Co-pay Program can reduce your out-of- pocket cost to $0 per treatment – up to $15,000 per calendar year – for eligible patients with commercial insurance.

$0

Possible cost per treatment

$15,000

Max savings per calendar year

$3,500–$5,500

Typical monthly cost without help

What Is the Actemra Copay Card?

The official program name is the ACTEMRA Co-pay Program, run by Genentech (the maker of Actemra). It is a manufacturer-sponsored savings card designed to help commercially insured patients cover the cost of their insurance copay, co-insurance, or other out-of-pocket expenses for Actemra.

When you have private or commercial health insurance that covers Actemra, you still face a copay — often hundreds or thousands of dollars per infusion or injection. The Actemra Co-pay card works alongside your insurance to bring your share down to as little as $0 per treatment.

The program is run through RACopay.com, the official Genentech portal. You can register online or call (855) RA-COPAY (855-722-6729). Once enrolled, eligible patients receive a virtual debit card that covers their out-of-pocket cost at the point of care — whether at an infusion center or a specialty pharmacy.

⚠ Important: The Actemra copay card is only available to patients with commercial (private) insurance. It cannot be used with Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or other government-funded programs. If you have government insurance or no insurance, scroll down — there is a better option for you.

Actemra Co-pay Program By Genentech

Provider

Genentech

Your cost (eligible pts)

As low as $0/treatment

Annual savings limit

Up to $15,000/year

Program phone

(855) 722-6729

Website

RACopay.com

Insurance required?

Yes — commercial only

Who Qualifies for the Actemra Copay Card?

The Actemra Co-pay Program has specific criteria. Make sure you review both the qualifying and disqualifying factors before applying.

✔ You Likely Qualify If You…

Have commercial or private health insurance (including exchange plans)
Are 18 years or older (or have a legally authorized caregiver managing your co-pay)
Reside and receive treatment in the U.S. or U.S. territories
Have a valid Actemra prescription for an FDA-approved indication (RA, GCA, JIA, CRS, SSc-ILD, etc.)
Are not reimbursed by any federal or state government program for Actemra

✕ You Do NOT Qualify If You…

Are covered by Medicare Part B or Part D for your Actemra
Use Medicaid or other government-funded insurance
Are enrolled in TRICARE, CHAMPVA , or federal employee plans as primary
Are uninsured (no commercial insurance at all)
Are using Actemra for an off-label, non-FDA-approved use

If you fall into any of the “do not qualify” categories, a Patient Assistance Program (PAP) may be a better fit — especially if you are on Medicare or uninsured. Check PAP eligibility →

How to Enroll in the Actemra Copay Card Program

The process is straightforward. Most patients are enrolled within a few business days.

Verify Your Eligibility

Confirm you have an active commercial insurance plan that covers Actemra and that you are not enrolled in any federal or state government program as your primary payer.

Register at RACopay.com or Call (855) 722-6729

Complete the online registration form at RACopay.com (the official Genentech portal) or enroll by phone. Your doctor's office can also help you register. Have your insurance card and prescription information ready.

Receive Your Virtual Debit Card

Once approved, you receive a virtual debit card loaded with your benefit. The card is accepted at specialty pharmacies and infusion centers where Actemra is dispensed.

Present at Point of Care

At your infusion center or specialty pharmacy, your copay is applied against your card balance. Your out-of-pocket cost drops to as little as $0 per treatment. The program covers up to $15,000 per calendar year.

Re-Enroll Each Calendar Year

The program resets every January 1. Eligible patients who meet ongoing criteria may be automatically re-enrolled, but you should confirm your enrollment status at the start of each year.

💡 Things to Know Before You Apply

The copay card does not count toward your insurance deductible in plans with “copay accumulator” provisions. Ask your plan about this before enrolling.

The virtual debit card expires — once a patient is no longer active in the program, any remaining funds are removed.

The savings apply only to Actemra drug costs, not to infusion facility fees or administration charges.

If your prescription changes to a biosimilar (Tofidence or Tyenne), a separate savings card may apply — contact the biosimilar manufacturer.

About Copay Accumulators: Many insurance plans now use “copay accumulator” or “copay maximizer” programs that prevent manufacturer copay card payments from counting toward your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. This can result in a surprise bill later in the year. Review your plan documents carefully or call your insurer before relying solely on the copay card.

Actemra Copay Card vs. Patient Assistance Program — Which Is Right for You?

Both programs save you money on Actemra — but they serve very different patient situations. Use this table to find your best fit.

Factor	Actemra Copay Card (RA Copay Program)	Patient Assistance Program (via AffordMyPrescriptions)
Who It's For	Commercially (privately) insured patients	Uninsured, underinsured, or Medicare Part D patients
Medication Cost	As low as $0/treatment	$0 medication cost if approved
Annual Cap	Up to $15,000/calendar year	No annual drug-cost cap — continuous supply
Service Fee	None (free program from Genentech)	$69.95/month advocacy fee (AffordMyPrescriptions)
Medicare Patients	Not eligible	Medicare Part D accepted
Uninsured Patients	Not eligible	Eligible based on income
Paperwork & Renewals	Managed by patient/provider via RACopay.com	Fully managed by AffordMyPrescriptions team
Copay Accumulator Risk	Potential issue with some plans	Not applicable — medication supplied directly
Income Verification	Not required	Required — income-based eligibility
Biosimilar Support	Actemra brand only	Can help explore biosimilar PAPs too

PAP through AffordMyPrescriptions: $69.95/month covers full advocacy, paperwork, refills, and re-certification. Medication itself is at no cost if approved.

Don't Qualify for the Copay Card? The PAP May Be Your Better Option.

If you have Medicare, are uninsured, or your income meets PAP guidelines, the Actemra Patient Assistance Program can deliver your medication at no drug cost. AffordMyPrescriptions handles the entire process — applications, doctor coordination, refills, and annual re-certification — for a flat $69.95/month. Medicare Part D patients are accepted.

What Is Actemra (Tocilizumab) Used For?

Understanding your medication helps you make the most of available savings programs — and know which formulation your copay card applies to.

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

FDA-approved for moderately to severely active RA in adults with an inadequate response to one or more DMARDs. Available as IV infusion (every 4 weeks) or SC injection (weekly or every 2 weeks).

Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA)

Approved for GCA in adults. Allows for rapid corticosteroid tapering and helps prevent disease flares. Subcutaneous 162 mg weekly injection is the approved form for GCA.

Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA)

Approved for both systemic JIA (sJIA) and polyarticular JIA (pJIA) in patients 2 years and older. Note: for minor patients, a caregiver or legally authorized person must manage co-pay assistance.

CRS & Other Indications

Also approved for Cytokine Release Syndrome (CRS) from CAR-T therapy, COVID-19 in select hospitalized adults, and Systemic Sclerosis-Associated ILD (SSc-ILD).

Available Formulations

Actemra IV: Weight-based dosing administered every 4 weeks at an infusion center for RA. Single doses for CRS and COVID-19.
Actemra SC: 162 mg subcutaneous injection given weekly (GCA) or weekly/every 2 weeks (RA). Can be self-administered at home after training.

Biosimilar Alternatives

FDA-approved tocilizumab biosimilars Tofidence and Tyenne are now available at substantially lower cost. If your prescriber switches you to a biosimilar, the Actemra copay card no longer applies — a separate biosimilar savings program may be available. Another IL-6 pathway option is sarilumab (Kevzara), given subcutaneously every 2 weeks with its own manufacturer savings program.

How Much Does Actemra Cost Without the Copay Card?

Actemra is a high-cost specialty biologic. Without assistance, most patients face significant out-of-pocket expenses even with insurance.

Pharmacy / Setting	Retail Price (30-Day)	With Copay Card (eligible patients)	With AffordMyPrescriptions PAP
Walgreens	~$5,200	As low as $0	$0 drug cost + $69.95 fee
CVS Pharmacy	~$5,500	As low as $0	$0 drug cost + $69.95 fee
Walmart	~$3,800	As low as $0	$0 drug cost + $69.95 fee
Biosimilar (Tofidence/Tyenne)	~$2,500	Separate biosimilar card required	Biosimilar PAP may apply

Retail prices are estimates based on publicly available data and vary by pharmacy, dose, and insurance. Copay card savings depend on your insurance plan and the $15,000/year program cap.

Note on the $15,000 Annual Cap: For patients requiring monthly Actemra infusions at ~$4,000–$5,500 each, the $15,000 annual cap may be reached in 3–4 months. After that, you’re responsible for your full copay for the rest of the year unless you have other coverage. If this is a concern, explore whether a PAP — which has no annual drug-cost cap — may offer longer-term protection.

What to Do If the Actemra Copay Card Doesn't Cover You

Several situations can limit or eliminate your copay card benefit. Here’s what to explore for each scenario.

You Hit the $15,000 Cap

Once you exhaust the annual benefit, you owe your full copay for the rest of the year. Options: contact foundations like the Arthritis Foundation, PAN Foundation, or HealthWell Foundation for bridge assistance.

Your Plan Uses Copay Accumulators

Copay accumulator programs prevent the card from counting toward your deductible, meaning a large bill arrives mid-year. Review your EOB and plan documents early, or switch to a plan without accumulators at open enrollment.

You're on Medicare or Uninsured

The copay card is not available to you. A Patient Assistance Program is the main path to accessing Actemra affordably. Income-based eligibility applies. Medicare Part D beneficiaries are commonly accepted.

Copay card not enough? AffordMyPrescriptions can help.

Our Patient Assistance Program advocacy service is designed for exactly these situations — Medicare patients, the uninsured, or anyone the copay card can’t fully protect. For a flat $69.95/month, we handle everything so you can focus on your health.

Actemra Copay Card Common Questions

Still have questions? Here are the answers patients ask most often about the Actemra Co-pay Program.

How do I get the Actemra copay card?

Register online at RACopay.com or call (855) RA-COPAY (855-722-6729). You can also ask your doctor’s office or infusion center to help with enrollment. Have your insurance information and prescription details ready. Once approved, you’ll receive a virtual debit card.

Can I use the Actemra copay card with Medicare?

No. The Actemra Co-pay Program cannot be used by patients whose Actemra prescription is reimbursed under Medicare, Medicaid, or any other government-funded healthcare program. This is a federal anti-kickback compliance requirement. If you have Medicare, the Patient Assistance Program (PAP) is typically the best alternative — Medicare Part D beneficiaries are often eligible for the manufacturer’s PAP based on income.

What is the maximum savings from the Actemra copay card?

The program provides up to $15,000 in assistance per calendar year. For eligible patients, this means your out-of-pocket cost can be as little as $0 per treatment. However, once this limit is reached, you are responsible for your full copay for the remainder of the year. The limit resets every January 1.

Does the Actemra copay card work for both IV and SC (injection) forms?

Yes. The Actemra Co-pay Program covers both the intravenous (IV) infusion and the subcutaneous (SC) injection formulations, provided you are using brand-name Actemra and meet the other eligibility requirements. The virtual debit card works at both infusion centers and specialty pharmacies.

What happens if my insurance plan has a copay accumulator?

If your plan uses a copay accumulator or copay maximizer program, payments made by the Actemra copay card will not count toward your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. This can result in you facing a large bill later in the plan year once the card funds are exhausted. Review your plan’s Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC) or call your insurer to confirm how your plan treats manufacturer copay card payments before you rely on it as your primary savings strategy.

Does the copay card work for biosimilars (Tofidence, Tyenne)?

No. The Actemra Co-pay Program covers brand-name Actemra only. If your prescriber switches you to a biosimilar such as Tofidence or Tyenne, you would need to enroll in the biosimilar manufacturer’s own savings program, which is a separate card or assistance program.

Does the copay card apply to infusion facility fees?

No. The Actemra Co-pay Program covers drug costs only. Infusion center administration fees, facility charges, and nursing fees are billed separately through your insurance and are not covered by this program. You may still owe a facility copay even if your drug cost is $0.

I'm uninsured. Can I still get help with Actemra costs?

Yes, but not through the copay card — it requires active commercial insurance. Uninsured patients may qualify for Genentech’s Patient Assistance Program, which can provide Actemra at no medication cost based on income. AffordMyPrescriptions can help you navigate this process. Use the link below to check your eligibility for free.

Ready to Reduce Your Actemra Costs?

If you have commercial insurance, the Actemra Co-pay Program is a great first step — apply at RACopay.com. If you’re on Medicare, uninsured, or the copay card alone isn’t enough, our Patient Assistance Program advocacy service may help you access Actemra at no drug cost for a flat $69.95/month.