How Much Does Keytruda Cost in the US in 2025?

Price per Dose, Monthly Cost, and Insurance Coverage
Updated: October 1, 2025

TL;DR (for readers and search engines)

• List price: Merck’s listed price for an indicated Keytruda dose given every 6 weeks is $24,062.72. keytruda.com

• Typical “per-month” / per-cycle estimates: Analyses and clinical-cost summaries put Keytruda at roughly $8,800 per 28-day cycle on average, though this varies widely by dose schedule and negotiated prices. NCBI+1

• Out-of-pocket for insured patients: Manufacturer copay assistance programs can reduce commercial patient copays to small amounts (example: $25 per infusion for eligible patients under the Merck copay program), but limits and eligibility apply. Medicare/Medicaid rules differ. Drugs.com

• Discount coupons: Cash-price coupons from services like GoodRx and SingleCare exist but are not insurance and savings vary by pharmacy. GoodRx+1

• Policy note: Keytruda is expected to be included in Medicare drug price negotiation programs (policy changes that may affect price from 2026 onward). Reuters

1. Why Keytruda pricing is confusing (short answer)

Keytruda (pembrolizumab) is an IV immunotherapy given at different dosing intervals (every 3 weeks or every 6 weeks depending on indication). There are list prices, negotiated prices (what insurers/hospitals actually pay), patient copays, and manufacturer or charity assistance — all different numbers. That’s why one source reports a per-dose list price while other analyses report a monthly estimate. keytruda.com+1

2. Quick price comparison table (clear, scannable — great for SEO snippets)

Notes on calculations: $24,062.72 is cited by Merck as the list price for the indicated dose when given every 6 weeks — halving that gives an approximate per-3-week equivalent. The ~$8,800 per 28-day figure is an independent estimate used in cost-analyses. Always clarify dosing schedule with the treating clinic.

3. How dosing schedules affect per-dose and monthly cost

Keytruda is commonly administered:

• Every 3 weeks (more frequent) or

• Every 6 weeks (less frequent — newer schedules for convenience).

Because Merck publishes a list price per indicated dose (example: per 6-week dose), the actual per-month or per-cycle cost will depend on the schedule your oncologist uses. Independent analyses estimate cost per 28-day cycle around $8,800, but list prices imply yearly costs in the low hundreds of thousands if no discounts apply. keytruda.com+1

4. What patients actually pay (real world)

• Commercial insurance: copays depend on plan design. Some commercial patients are eligible for Merck’s copay assistance (example program: $25 per infusion up to program caps). Check program expiry and eligibility — many programs have annual maximums and exclude government payers. Drugs.com

• Medicare: typically covers drugs given in physician settings under Part B, but Medicare negotiations and future policy changes (Inflation Reduction Act negotiating rounds) could alter prices and patient shares in coming years. Also, manufacturer copay cards generally cannot be used for Medicare patients. Reuters

• Uninsured / cash pay: coupon services like GoodRx and SingleCare advertise discounts, but results vary and these are not insurance substitutes. Use them only after comparing with clinic/hospital billing. GoodRx+1

5. Financial help options to highlight in your article (practical SEO and user help)

• Manufacturer assistance & copay cards: Merck Access Programs — explain eligibility and required documents. Link to official support page. keytruda.com+1

• Nonprofit assistance directories: NeedyMeds, Medicine Assistance Tool — list and link. (cite general resources like Healthline/Medical News Today for how to use these). Medical News Today+1

• Ask the infusion center for billing estimates: many centers can provide the expected billed amount and expected patient responsibility under your insurance.

• Appeals / prior authorization help: explain prior authorization and step therapy basics — many patients need their provider to submit records to get coverage.

• State programs / hospital financial counselors: encourage contacting hospital financial aid offices.

6. SEO structure to make this article rank for US searches (use American phrasing)
Primary keyword: how much does keytruda cost
Secondary keywords: keytruda cost 2025, pembrolizumab price per dose, keytruda monthly cost, keytruda insurance coverage, keytruda copay card, keytruda price comparison GoodRx SingleCare.

Q: Is Keytruda covered by Medicare?
A: Often yes under Medicare Part B when administered in a physician setting, but patient cost shares depend on plan and upcoming negotiated pricing rules; copay assistance generally does not apply to Medicare. Reuters+1

Q: What is the list price of Keytruda in 2025?
A: Merck lists a figure of $24,062.72 per indicated dose when given every 6 weeks; independent analyses give different per-cycle estimates (e.g., ~$8,800 per 28-day cycle) because of dosing schedules and negotiated discounts. keytruda.com+1

Q: Can GoodRx or SingleCare make Keytruda affordable?
A: These services may offer coupons or discounts for cash prices, but results vary and these are not insurance. For infusion oncology biologics, discounts are often less consistent than for oral generics. GoodRx+1

Q: Are there patient assistance programs?
A: Yes — Merck and other nonprofit programs provide assistance; eligibility and caps vary. Check official manufacturer pages and nonprofit directories. keytruda.com+1

🔥 Key Additions to Strengthen the Article

1. Detailed Price Sources (Drugs.com, GoodRx, SingleCare)

• Drugs.com lists Keytruda (pembrolizumab) 25 mg/mL IV solution at around $5,768.79 for 4 mL.
  👉 Drugs.com Keytruda Price Guide

• Manufacturer’s copay assistance program may lower costs for commercially insured patients to $25 per infusion (eligibility and caps apply).
  👉 Drugs.com Copay Assistance Info

• GoodRx estimates list pricing at $11,337.36 per 3-week dose or $22,674.72 per 6-week dose.
  👉 GoodRx Immunotherapy Cost Resources

• SingleCare offers coupons and cash discounts (varies by pharmacy).
  👉 SingleCare Keytruda Coupons

2. Insurance Coverage & Medicare

• Medicare Part B often covers Keytruda when given in outpatient or infusion centers, but copays depend on plan.
  👉 Healthline – Does Medicare Cover Keytruda?

• By law, manufacturer copay cards cannot be used for Medicare or Medicaid.
  👉 CMS – Average Sales Price (ASP) for Part B Drugs

• Typical coverage uses ASP + 6% formula for provider reimbursement.

3. Trends & Future Pricing

• Academic review: ASCO Journals reported checkpoint inhibitor prices (including pembrolizumab) ranging $11,961 – $15,043 per month as of 2023.
  👉 ASCO Publication – Price Trends 2016–2023

• Merck announced Keytruda will likely be included in Medicare price negotiations in 2026, which could lower out-of-pocket costs.
  👉 Reuters – Merck expects Keytruda to be negotiated

4. New Subcutaneous Version (Game Changer)

• In September 2025, FDA approved subcutaneous (under-the-skin) Keytruda injections (Keytruda Qlex), administered in minutes instead of IV infusion.
  👉 Reuters – FDA approves injectable Keytruda

• This may lower hospital costs (shorter chair time, fewer infusion resources) and could influence pricing models.

5. Strong Insurance & Policy References

• Aetna policy requires pre-authorization for pembrolizumab, showing how insurers limit coverage.
  👉 Aetna Clinical Policy for Pembrolizumab

• Helpful for your article: explains why patients often face delays or denials before approval.

6. Patient Financial Support Programs

• Merck Access Program (financial assistance, patient support, reimbursement help).
  👉 Merck Access Program – Keytruda

• NeedyMeds lists nonprofit help for Keytruda.
  👉 NeedyMeds – Saving on Keytruda

• Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT) – database of financial aid options.
  👉 MAT.org

7. Future Outlook

• 2026 → Medicare negotiations may lower costs.

• 2028 → Keytruda patents expire; biosimilars may enter the market, potentially reducing costs dramatically.

• 2025–2026 → Expansion of subcutaneous versions will affect real-world treatment costs.

8. Extra SEO Enhancements

• Add FAQ schema with these Q&A:

  • “Does Medicare cover Keytruda in 2025?”

  • “What is the average monthly cost of Keytruda in the US?”

  • “Can GoodRx help with Keytruda?”

• Add internal links to related articles (example: “Opdivo Cost in the US 2025”).

• Add external authoritative links (NIH, CMS, FDA, Merck, ASCO).

📊 Keytruda Price Comparison in the US (2025)

💡 Note: Prices vary based on dosage schedule, treatment duration, and whether you are covered by private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid.

🏥 Insurance & Medicare Coverage

• Medicare Part B: Covers Keytruda when administered in outpatient or infusion settings. Patients may still owe 20% coinsurance unless they have supplemental coverage.
  👉 Medicare Drug Coverage Info

• Commercial Insurance: Most private insurers cover Keytruda with prior authorization requirements. Out-of-pocket costs depend on copay tiers and deductibles.
  👉 Aetna Clinical Policy – Pembrolizumab

• Medicaid: Coverage varies by state.

💰 Financial Assistance Programs

• Merck Access Program: Reduces copays to as little as $25 per infusion for eligible patients with commercial insurance.
  👉 Merck Access Program – Keytruda

• NeedyMeds: Lists nonprofit help for cancer drug costs.
  👉 NeedyMeds Keytruda Assistance

• Patient Access Network Foundation: Offers copay relief for oncology drugs.
  👉 PAN Foundation

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How much does Keytruda cost per month in the U.S.?

On average, Keytruda costs $11,000 to $23,000 per month without insurance.

2. Does Medicare cover Keytruda?

Yes. Medicare Part B usually covers Keytruda, but patients are responsible for coinsurance unless they have Medigap.

3. Why is Keytruda so expensive?

Keytruda is a complex immunotherapy that targets PD-1 pathways. High research, manufacturing, and clinical trial costs contribute to pricing.

4. Are there cheaper alternatives?

Alternatives include Opdivo (nivolumab) and Tecentriq (atezolizumab), but coverage and pricing also vary.

5. Will the price of Keytruda go down?

Yes. Medicare drug price negotiations in 2026 and biosimilars expected after 2028 may reduce costs significantly.

🔗 Extra Resources

• National Cancer Institute – Immunotherapy Overview

• FDA Keytruda Prescribing Information

• CMS ASP Pricing Data

📌 Conclusion

Keytruda remains a life-changing treatment but comes with high costs—ranging from $11,000 to over $23,000 per month without insurance. Fortunately, insurance, Medicare, and patient assistance programs can help lower out-of-pocket expenses. With upcoming Medicare negotiations (2026) and the arrival of biosimilars (after 2028), Keytruda prices may finally become more affordable for patients across the U.S.

👉 If you or a loved one is considering Keytruda, talk to your oncologist and insurance provider about financial assistance and coverage options.