Table 3. Estimated Prices of ESAs and Supplemental Iron
Agent
HCPCS
Code
Dosage
Medicare
Payment
Limit
($USD)
Initial
Dose Regimen Price
Darbepoetin
alfa (non-
esrd)
1 µg 3.779
2.25 µg/kg
SC
Weekly (SC)
$1785.58
a
per
3-week cycle
500 µg SC Every 3
weeks (SC)
$1889.50 per
3-week cycle
Epoetin alfa
(non-esrd)
1000 U 13.333
150 U/kg 3 times
weekly (SC)
$1259.97
a
per
3-week cycle
40,000 U Weekly (SC) $1599.96 per
3-week cycle
Iron dextran 50 MG 13.669 Variable IV $273.38 per 1000 mg
Ferric
gluconate
12.5 MG 2.179 Variable IV $174.32 per 1000 mg
Iron sucrose 1 MG 0.234 Variable IV $234.00 per 1000 mg
Ferrous
sulfate
N/A N/A Variable oral Available over-the-
counter. Prices at
a sample of online
retailers ranged from
$0.01–$0.11 per
325 mg tablet
a
Based on a 70 kg adult.
NOTE. Drug prices were estimated from a third-party payor perspective, based on reimbursement
rates from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that are widely accepted by providers,
computed at the manufacturer's average sales price. Other treatment-related direct and indirect costs
were not considered, such as diagnostic laboratory tests. Actual treatment costs and reimbursement will
vary considerably across regions, payors, institutions, and practices, as well as over time, and the reader
should consult current local cost information specific to their practice setting. Costs were based on
Medicare Part B payment allowance limits effective July 1, 2018 (with no administration fees or other
adjustments); Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-
for-Service-Part-B-Drugs/McrPartBDrugAvgSalesPrice/2018ASPFiles.html
