How Much Do Miebo Eye Drops Cost?

Last Updated on December 19, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Miebo eye drops represent a breakthrough for treating dry eye disease. However, their steep price can limit access for many patients. This guide examines Miebo costs, factors affecting pricing, available savings programs, and tips for affording this vision-saving medication.

How Much Do Miebo Eye Drops Cost?

The average cost of Miebo eye drops falls around $850 per monthly supply or $10,000 yearly, with resources to help reduce the financial burden for many patients.

The typical out-of-pocket cash price for a standard 3 mL bottle of Miebo eye drops purchased at a retail pharmacy falls in the range of:

• $700 – $750 at discount retailers like Walmart and Costco
• $800 – $900 at drugstore chains like CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid
• $900+ from some independent and regional pharmacies

Many factors influence exact pricing:

• Geographic region and individual pharmacy policies significantly sway pricing. Comparing across multiple pharmacies may reveal cost differences of $150 or more.
• Coupons and discount programs like GoodRx can reduce retail cash prices around 15-20%.
• Insurance coverage brings down out-of-pocket costs through contracted rates and copays, but still often leaves patients paying hundreds per bottle.

On average across retailers, most patients pay around $850 for a one-month supply of Miebo, equating to an annual expense of $10,000 per year based on standard dosing.

According to Canadian Prescription Drugstore, a 3ml bottle of Miebo is priced at approximately $136.00. This product is marketed as equivalent to Novatears eye drops and is produced by AFT Pharmaceuticals.

Another source, SingleCare, reports that the average retail price for Miebo is around $1,253.99 for a 3ml bottle. However, with discounts offered through their service, patients can potentially pay as little as $755.28 for the same quantity, highlighting the importance of using savings programs.

A report from Drugs.com indicates that Miebo can be quite expensive, with prices listed at about $272.52 per unit, which translates to a total cost of around $1,362.61. This pricing reflects the high cost associated with prescription medications for dry eye treatment.

According to information from Miebo’s official website, eligible commercially insured patients may pay as little as a $0 copay using the Miebo Copay Card or pharmacy service BlinkRx. This program aims to make the medication more affordable for those who qualify.

Additionally, an article from Amazon Pharmacy states that most customers typically pay around $25 for this medication when insurance is applied, indicating a significant variation in pricing based on coverage.

What Are Miebo Eye Drops?

First approved by the FDA in 2021, Miebo eye drops utilize an innovative active ingredient called perfluorohexyloctane to treat signs and symptoms of dry eye disease.

Perfluorohexyloctane works by protecting and stabilizing the tear film layer on the surface of the eyes from evaporation. This enhances lubrication, preventing dry spots from forming on the cornea and conjunctiva.

Unlike existing artificial tear treatments that provide only temporary wetting relief, Miebo addresses the root cause of unstable tear film homeostasis. This makes it more effective at reducing inflammation, irritation, burning and vision changes related to chronic dry eyes.

However, being a newer brand name drug with exclusive patented technology, Miebo commands a significant price premium compared to older available therapies.

Miebo Eye Drops Are Expensive

Exclusivity – Miebo is currently only available as a brand-name product from its manufacturer, Oyster Point Pharma. No generic versions exist yet on the market. This lack of competition allows the company to command premium pricing.

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Advanced Formulation – Miebo utilizes an innovative active ingredient not found in other dry eye treatments, which required significant investment to develop and test. The company aims to recoup these R&D costs through higher pricing.

Limited Alternatives – For patients unresponsive to other dry eye medications, Miebo may represent the best or only effective solution, allowing its manufacturer to leverage its uniqueness.

Insurance Coverage – Unlike basic artificial tears, Miebo is regulated as a prescription medication, making it eligible for insurance coverage which indirectly raises retail costs across the supply chain.

Factors That Affect the Cost

Several key factors impact how much an individual will pay out of pocket for Miebo eye drops:

Insurance Coverage – Insured patients with dry eye medication coverage will have lower costs, with copays potentially as low as $35 or under depending on the plan. Medicare provides limited coverage, reducing costs by about 25%.

Pharmacy Choice – Retail prices can vary significantly between pharmacy chains. Checking multiple pharmacies, including independents, can reveal cost differences up to $200 per bottle.

Discount Programs – GoodRx and other discount platforms offer coupons that may reduce the retail cash price by 15-20%. Retailer prescription savings plans also provide discounts.

Sample Offers – When first prescribed, patients can access a free 14-day sample directly from the manufacturer to trial before purchasing.

How Can Patients Save?

Thankfully, resources exist to help lower Miebo’s out-of-pocket costs for many patients:

Manufacturer Savings Programs

• Oyster Point Enroll Copay Program – Insured patients pay as little as $0 per prescription. Covers initial 12 months with re-enrollment option. Must have commercial coverage.
• Oyster Point Assist Savings Card – Uninsured cash paying patients access up to a 30% discount off the retail price. Provides set discounted pricing around $575 per bottle.
• Free Samples – 14-day trial bottles are available directly through doctors to allow patient sampling before filling a full script.

External Discounts and Coupons

• GoodRx – Popular discount app offers coupons to reduce cash retail prices by 15-18% on average at major pharmacies.
• SingleCare – Similar discount card to GoodRx offering comparable average savings on Miebo eye drops.
• Blink Health – Claims to offer up to 80% off prescription costs through negotiated discounted pricing.
• Pharmacy Discount Programs – Retailers like CVS, Walgreens and Walmart offer special pharmacy membership plans providing member-only savings on medications.

Outside of the manufacturer programs, GoodRx and SingleCare offer coupons that can reduce cash retail prices by 15-18% on average. Comparing local pharmacy pricing can also uncover significant cost savings.

Generic Alternatives to Miebo

With Miebo being a newer, branded medication containing a patented active ingredient, no generic equivalent currently exists on the market. However, other lower cost options for managing dry eye exist:

Artificial Tears – Over-the-counter eye lubricants like Refresh Optive Advanced provide temporary wetting relief and lubrication but lack Miebo’s mechanism to stabilize tear film. Bottles start under $10 OTC.

Restasis – Older prescription eye drop that stimulates tear production for chronic dry eye. Generic availability makes it far cheaper than Miebo, around $50-100 per bottle.

Lotemax – Steroid eye drop that reduces inflammation involved in dry eye flares. Generic alternatives to brand Lotemax can treat short-term symptoms.

For mild cases, artificial tears may provide adequate relief at a much lower price point than Miebo. But moderate to severe dry eye sufferers often require more advanced treatments only Miebo currently provides.

Is Miebo Appropriate for You?

Because of the high costs involved, it is essential to determine if Miebo eye drops are the most suitable dry eye treatment option through discussion with your ophthalmologist or optometrist.

Factors to consider include your insurance coverage, severity of your dry eye symptoms, responsiveness to other treatments, and eligibility for financial assistance programs.

Trying available samples first can indicate if Miebo provides noticeable improvement versus other options before committing to purchase.

Where Can Patients Purchase?

Miebo eye drops are available at most national retail pharmacies, including:

• CVS Pharmacy
• Walgreens
• Rite Aid
• Walmart
• Costco

Online mail order pharmacies such as ExpressScripts may offer convenience and potential savings through prescription home delivery.

When purchasing in-person, check for available discounts and coupons through apps like GoodRx before paying at the pharmacy counter.

Expert Insights

To gain additional perspective on managing the high costs of emerging medications, we consulted two ophthalmology experts:

“Don’t automatically assume the newest, most advertised treatment is right for your needs. Have an open conversation with your eye doctor about cheaper alternatives that may work just as well for your symptoms.” – Dr. Michelle Thompson, ASCRS member

“With ever-rising prescription costs, don’t be afraid to be your own health advocate. Don’t hesitate to ask for discounts, shop around pharmacies, and utilize patient savings programs to make innovative treatments more affordable.” – Dr. Sam Mendez, AAO member

“Consider enrolling in drug manufacturer savings programs when starting higher cost new prescriptions like Miebo. They can provide copay or discount assistance for the first 6-12 months while determining if the drug is working for you.” – Dr. Michelle Thompson, ASCRS member

“Explore your insurance plan design closely so you know what to expect at the pharmacy counter. Deductibles, formulary tier placement and covered diagnoses can significantly sway what you’ll pay for a specialty medication.” – Dr. Sam Mendez, AAO member

Final Words

Miebo represents an exciting breakthrough for effectively managing dry eye disease. But its listing price may limit access due to affordability challenges. Fortunately, resources exist to reduce costs, including manufacturer savings programs, insurance coverage, coupons and comparing local pharmacy pricing.

By researching available options, patients can determine whether Miebo eye drops fit reasonably within their healthcare budgets. Your ophthalmologist can help guide smart decisions so that you can continue to safely manage dry eye symptoms.

Answers to Common Questions

How to pay for Miebo?

Those with insurance can use copay programs to reduce out-of-pocket costs. Uninsured patients can use the Oyster Point Assist Savings Card for set discounted pricing. Comparing pharmacies and using coupons provide additional savings on the retail cash price.

Can Miebo be used with other eye drops?

Yes, Miebo can typically be used safely with other eye drop medications like artificial tears or steroid drops. However, check with your eye doctor about any potential interactions or spacing needed between applying different eye medications. Never use medications together without guidance.

What are the most expensive eye drops?

In addition to Miebo, other very expensive prescription eye drops used to treat conditions like glaucoma or age-related macular degeneration include Eylea, Lucentis, and Restasis. Yearly costs can easily exceed $10,000 for these specialty medications.