Keytruda Price Per Infusion in USA | Updated 2025 Guide

Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) — everything you need to know about cost, insurance, savings, and what you might pay in 2025

1. What is Keytruda?

• Generic name: pembrolizumab

• Type: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (anti-PD-1 antibody)

• Indications: Lung cancer, melanoma, head & neck cancers, colorectal cancer, and more

• Administration: Intravenous infusion (~30 minutes) at doses of 200 mg every 3 weeks or 400 mg every 6 weeks.

📖 Official FDA drug information

2. Keytruda’s List Price per Infusion (USA 2025)

💡 According to CMS (Medicare ASP Pricing Data), the average sales price (ASP) in July–Sept 2025 is ~$58.56 per mg, giving ~$11,712.40 per 200 mg infusion.

⚠️ Note: List price ≠ what patients pay. Insurance and assistance programs significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs.

3. What Patients Actually Pay (Out-of-Pocket)

Your real cost depends on insurance and eligibility:

• Commercial insurance: $0 – $375 per infusion (Merck Co-pay Assistance)

• Medicare Advantage: $0 – $1,325 per infusion

• Traditional Medicare (no Medigap): $1,300 – $2,100 per infusion (Drugs.com Medicare Coverage)

• Medicaid: $4 – $8 per infusion, depending on state (Medicaid.gov)

📊 A Serif Health Transparency Study shows commercial insurers sometimes pay $12,000–$30,000+ depending on provider & location.

4. Factors That Affect Keytruda Pricing

• Dosage & frequency: FDA dosing guide

• Hospital vs outpatient clinic: Hospitals often add facility fees

• Insurance plan design: Deductibles, coinsurance, out-of-network charges

• Additional medical costs: Labs, infusion fees, monitoring

• Regional variation: Negotiated prices differ by state/provider

5. Insurance, Medicare & Medicaid Coverage

• Medicare Part B: Covers Keytruda for approved cancer indications. Patients usually pay 20% coinsurance unless they have Medigap (Medicare.gov).

• Medicare Advantage (Part C): Out-of-pocket costs vary by plan formulary.

• Medigap: Helps reduce coinsurance or deductible burdens.

• Medicaid: Often the most affordable, sometimes as low as $4 per dose (Medicaid pharmacy benefits).

6. Financial Assistance & Savings Programs

• Merck Access Program – support for uninsured/underinsured patients

• Merck Co-pay Assistance – eligible patients may pay as little as $25 per infusion

• GoodRx Keytruda pricing tool

• HealthWell Foundation – nonprofit support for cancer patients

7. New Developments (2025)

• Subcutaneous Keytruda: Merck plans U.S. launch in October 2025, making administration faster (Reuters).

• Drug price negotiations: Starting 2026, Keytruda will be part of the Inflation Reduction Act’s Medicare drug price negotiations, potentially lowering costs by 2028 (Reuters).

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is there a generic Keytruda?
A: No. There are currently no FDA-approved biosimilars for pembrolizumab (FDA biosimilars info).

Q2: How much does Keytruda cost with Medicare?
A: About $11,500 list price per 200 mg infusion, but patients typically pay $1,300–$2,100 depending on plan coverage (Medical News Today).

Q3: What if I have no insurance?
A: Expect full list price ($11,000–$23,000+ per infusion) unless you qualify for Merck’s patient assistance.

Q4: Does Medicaid cover Keytruda?
A: Yes, at very low out-of-pocket cost (usually $4–$8) depending on state (Medicaid state profiles).

Q5: How long will I need Keytruda?
A: Treatment duration varies; many patients receive infusions for up to 2 years, depending on cancer type and response.

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10. Conclusion

Keytruda is a groundbreaking treatment for many cancers but comes with very high costs in the USA—$11,000+ per infusion at list price.

✅ The good news: most patients do not pay full price. With insurance, Medicare/Medicaid, co-pay support, and nonprofit aid, many can access treatment at significantly lower out-of-pocket cost.

📌 If you or a loved one is prescribed Keytruda:

• Talk to your oncologist about insurance coverage

• Ask your provider to check Merck Access Programs

• Compare state Medicaid options

• Stay updated about 2025–2028 pricing changes

References

• Keytruda Official Site – Financial Support

• Medical News Today – Keytruda Cost Guide

• CMS ASP Pricing Data 2025

• Serif Health – Transparency Data

• Drugs.com Coverage Info

• Reuters – Subcutaneous Keytruda 2025

• Reuters – Drug Price Negotiations