If you cannot afford Xarelto, you may be able to get it free — not discounted, but at no cost — through the Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation. The catch is that the eligibility rules are not obvious, and they work differently depending on whether you are uninsured or on Medicare. Get the order of steps wrong and you can be denied for something you actually qualify for. SunnyPharma is an independent health education platform; we do not sell medication, and we have no program to enroll you in — this is a plain-language map of the real one.
This page explains who qualifies, the income limits, the specific sequence Medicare patients must follow, and exactly how to apply — for free, directly, without a middleman.
The Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation (JJPAF) gives Xarelto free to people who are uninsured or underinsured and earn up to roughly 300% of the federal poverty level (about $45,180 for a single person). Medicare patients can qualify too — but only after checking Extra Help first. Apply free at jjpaf.org or through Janssen CarePath at 1-800-526-7736.
- JJPAF provides Xarelto free, not discounted — for many people it beats every discount card.
- Core eligibility: uninsured or underinsured, US resident, household income up to ~300% of the federal poverty level.
- Medicare patients can qualify, but generally must show they do not qualify for Extra Help and meet the foundation’s out-of-pocket and income criteria.
- If you are low-income on Medicare, apply for Extra Help first — it is usually the better benefit and the expected first step.
- Applying directly is free; never pay a third party to file for you.
- This is separate from the withMe savings card (commercial insurance, ~$10/fill) and discount cards (cash price).
What the J&J Patient Assistance Foundation Is
The Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation (JJPAF) is a nonprofit, manufacturer-affiliated foundation that provides certain Johnson & Johnson medicines — including Xarelto (rivaroxaban) — at no cost to patients who meet its income and insurance criteria. Unlike a coupon or discount card, which lowers a price you still pay, patient assistance supplies the medication free for those who qualify. For uninsured patients and many cost-burdened Medicare patients, it is the single most valuable option available. You reach it through Janssen CarePath, the manufacturer’s patient support service.
Who Qualifies — and the Income Limits
JJPAF eligibility comes down to three things: residency, insurance status, and household income.
- Residency: US resident, including Puerto Rico and US territories.
- Insurance: uninsured, or underinsured (your coverage does not adequately cover Xarelto). Patients with commercial insurance that covers Xarelto are usually directed to the withMe savings card instead.
- Income: household income generally at or below about 300% of the federal poverty level — roughly $45,180 for a single-person household based on 2025 guidelines, with higher limits for larger households.
“Household income” includes wages, Social Security, retirement and pension income, alimony you receive, and interest and dividends — added up for everyone living in the household (you, your spouse, and dependents). Because the federal poverty level is updated annually, confirm the current figure at jjpaf.org before assuming you are over or under.
If You Have Medicare: Follow the Sequence
This is where most people go wrong. Medicare patients are not automatically excluded from JJPAF — but the foundation expects a specific order of steps, and skipping it gets applications denied. Here is the actual sequence.
For the full Medicare picture — the 2026 negotiated price, the $2,100 Part D out-of-pocket cap, and the $615 deductible — see Xarelto on Medicare: Cost & Help →
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Gather your documentsProof of income for everyone in the household, your prescription details, and — if you are on Medicare — out-of-pocket prescription expense records and any Extra Help determination.
- Go directly to JJPAFApply at jjpaf.org or call Janssen CarePath at 1-800-526-7736. Applying directly is free.
- Complete the patient sectionHousehold size and total household income, with supporting documents attached. Missing information delays the response, so complete it in full.
- Have your prescriber complete their partYour doctor confirms the Xarelto prescription on the application. Most prescribers’ offices are familiar with this form.
- Submit and follow upOnce approved, the foundation coordinates supply of the medication. Keep a copy of everything you send.
Never pay a third party to file for you. Some sites charge a “processing fee” to submit an application you can complete yourself for free. JJPAF does not require a paid intermediary.
Patient Assistance vs. withMe Card vs. Discount Card
These three are easy to confuse, but they serve different people and cannot be mixed.
| Option | For whom | What you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Patient Assistance (JJPAF) | Uninsured / underinsured, income-eligible | $0 (free medication) |
| Xarelto withMe Savings Card | Commercial insurance only (not Medicare/Medicaid) | as low as $0–$10/fill |
| Discount Card (SingleCare, GoodRx) | Cash-pay; cannot combine with insurance | ~$500–$650/mo cash |
Have commercial insurance, or just want to compare the coupon routes? See Xarelto Coupon & Savings Card: Which One Applies to You →
If You Are Denied
A denial is not the end of the road. Ask JJPAF for a written explanation, then work through the alternatives in order:
- If you are on Medicare and have not checked Extra Help, do that now — many denials are because this step was skipped.
- Compare discount-card cash prices as a fallback for the uninsured who are over the income limit.
- Ask your prescriber whether a clinically appropriate, lower-cost anticoagulant is an option for you.
- If you are on Medicare, review the 2026 negotiated price and Part D out-of-pocket cap, which lower costs regardless of assistance.
Do not stop taking Xarelto while you sort out cost. Stopping a blood thinner abruptly carries a boxed warning for increased risk of clots and stroke. If cost is forcing the decision, call Janssen CarePath at 1-800-526-7736 or speak with your prescriber or pharmacist before you skip or stop doses.
What About a Generic?
A cheaper generic would help everyone — but for most Xarelto patients it is not yet an option. The only generic rivaroxaban approved so far is the 2.5 mg tablet, which is for coronary and peripheral artery disease. The 10, 15, and 20 mg doses used for atrial fibrillation, DVT, and PE remain brand-only, with no announced generic date. Do not switch your dose to chase a generic price — that is a different strength for a different condition. Until a generic for the higher doses exists, patient assistance, Extra Help, and the Medicare-negotiated price are what lower cost today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a patient assistance program for Xarelto?
Yes. The Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation (JJPAF) is a nonprofit that provides Xarelto at no cost to eligible patients who are uninsured or underinsured and meet income requirements. It is separate from the withMe copay savings card and from third-party discount cards. You apply directly and for free at jjpaf.org or through Janssen CarePath at 1-800-526-7736.
What are the income limits for the Xarelto patient assistance program?
JJPAF generally sets income eligibility at or below roughly 300% of the federal poverty level, which for a single-person household is approximately $45,180 (based on 2025 federal poverty guidelines). Higher limits apply for larger households. Income includes wages, Social Security, pensions, retirement income, alimony received, and interest or dividends for everyone in the household. Always verify current thresholds at jjpaf.org, as limits update yearly.
Can Medicare patients get the Xarelto patient assistance program?
Sometimes, but only after a specific sequence. Medicare patients may qualify for JJPAF if they meet its out-of-pocket spending and income criteria, do not qualify for Medicare Extra Help (the Part D Low-Income Subsidy), and do not qualify for Medicaid. If you are low-income, the foundation generally expects you to apply for Extra Help first, because Extra Help is usually the better benefit. Check Extra Help before applying.
How do I apply for the Xarelto patient assistance program?
Apply directly to the Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation at jjpaf.org, or call Janssen CarePath at 1-800-526-7736. You complete a household information and income section, attach proof of income, and your prescriber completes a portion confirming the prescription. Medicare applicants may also need to attach out-of-pocket prescription expense records. Applying directly is free; you do not need to pay a third party.
Should I check Medicare Extra Help before applying for Xarelto patient assistance?
Yes. If you have Medicare, check Extra Help (the Part D Low-Income Subsidy) first. Patients who qualify for Extra Help may pay as little as $0 and no more than about $12.65 per month for Xarelto, which is usually better than the patient assistance route. The foundation also generally expects low-income Medicare patients to use Extra Help, so it is the correct first step. Apply for Extra Help at ssa.gov/extrahelp or by calling 1-800-772-1213.
What is the difference between the Xarelto withMe card and patient assistance?
The Xarelto withMe Savings Card is for patients with commercial insurance and lowers the copay to as little as $0 to $10 per fill. The patient assistance program (JJPAF) is for uninsured or underinsured patients who meet income limits and provides the medication free, not at a discount. The withMe card cannot be used by Medicare or Medicaid patients; the patient assistance program can serve some Medicare patients who meet its separate criteria.
What if I am denied the Xarelto patient assistance program?
If JJPAF denies you, request a written explanation of why. Common next options include checking Medicare Extra Help if you have not, comparing third-party discount-card cash prices, asking your prescriber about a clinically appropriate alternative anticoagulant, and reviewing the 2026 Medicare-negotiated price and Part D out-of-pocket cap if you are on Medicare. Do not stop taking Xarelto while you sort out cost; stopping a blood thinner abruptly carries a serious clot and stroke risk.
Is there a generic for Xarelto that would lower my cost instead?
Only for one dose. The single approved generic rivaroxaban is the 2.5 mg tablet, used for coronary and peripheral artery disease — not the 10, 15, or 20 mg doses used for atrial fibrillation, DVT, and PE, which remain brand-only with no announced generic date. So for most people, a generic is not yet an option, and patient assistance, Extra Help, or the negotiated Medicare price are the routes that lower cost today.
How we reviewed this article:
Stephanie Ritz researched and wrote this guide using the Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation application and eligibility terms, the Janssen CarePath and Xarelto withMe savings program, and Medicare Extra Help (Part D Low-Income Subsidy) guidance from the Social Security Administration. Dr. Aun-Yeong Chong, a cardiologist, reviewed the clinical and access content — including the caution against stopping anticoagulation for cost — for accuracy. SunnyPharma is independent, accepts no pharmaceutical funding, and does not sell medication. Eligibility is determined solely by the program administrator and figures reflect 2026 terms; verify current details at jjpaf.org.
Read our editorial policy →Sources & References
- Johnson & Johnson Patient Assistance Foundation (JJPAF). Eligibility & application. jjpaf.org; 2026.
- Janssen CarePath — Xarelto patient support & withMe Savings Card. xarelto-us.com; 1-800-526-7736; 2026.
- Social Security Administration. Medicare Part D Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy). ssa.gov; 1-800-772-1213.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. 2026 Medicare Part D: $2,100 out-of-pocket cap; $615 deductible; Xarelto negotiated price. cms.gov; 2026.
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. 2025 Federal Poverty Guidelines (basis for income thresholds).
- FDA — Xarelto (rivaroxaban) Prescribing Information (boxed warning). accessdata.fda.gov.