Stelara costs $4,695 to $17,000 per injection (cash price) in 2026
Stelara costs $11,000 to $17,000 per 90 mg injection at retail without insurance in 2026. For psoriasis the maintenance dose is every 12 weeks, so that is 4 to 5 doses a year. Stelara was one of the first ten drugs in Medicare price negotiation, and the negotiated price of $4,695 per 30 day supply took effect January 1, 2026, a 66 percent cut from the 2023 list price of $13,836. Medicare has already said Stelara will leave the negotiated list in 2027 because ustekinumab biosimilars like Wezlana, Pyzchiva and Otulfi are now undercutting it. With commercial insurance, the Stelara copay card takes eligible patients to $5 per dose. CoveredUSA says the cash price for a 90 mg Stelara syringe is $11,000 to $17,000 per injection.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| CoveredUSA | CoveredUSA says the cash price for a 90 mg Stelara syringe is $11,000 to $17,000 per injection. |
| Healio | Healio says a 30 day supply of Stelara drops from a 2023 list price of $13,836 to $4,695 under Medicare negotiation in 2026. |
| The Derm Digest | The Derm Digest lists the Stelara negotiated price at $4,695 for 30 days, down from a 2023 list price of $13,836. |
| DLA Piper | DLA Piper lists the Medicare negotiated price for one Stelara syringe at $8,980, effective January 1, 2026. |
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Brand or biosimilar | Several ustekinumab biosimilars launched in 2025 and 2026. Many plans now require one, and the price is well below the brand. |
| Medicare | $4,695 is the negotiated ceiling for a 30 day supply. Your plan copay is less, and the 2026 Part D cap is $2,100 for the year. |
| Commercial insurance | Covered for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, Crohn's and UC after prior authorization. The Janssen copay card takes it to $5. |
| The condition | Crohn's and UC start with an IV infusion billed by the infusion center, then injections every 8 weeks, so more doses a year than psoriasis. |
| Johnson and Johnson Patient Assistance | Free Stelara for uninsured and underinsured patients who qualify. |
What the price includes
The price covers one prefilled syringe. Office visits, labs and the infusion center fee for the Crohn's or UC loading dose are separate. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Does insurance cover it
Most insurance plans cover Stelara, since it treats conditions such as psoriasis and Crohn's disease. Plans often need prior approval first. Some plans want you to try other drugs before they pay. What you pay depends on your tier, your deductible and your copay. The maker has a copay program for people with commercial insurance, and it does not apply to government plans. Healio says a Medicare negotiated price of $4,695 for a 30 day supply took effect in 2026. Call your plan and your doctor's office to check your cost before the first dose.
How to judge your quote
- Ask your pharmacy for the cash price, but expect it to be very high.
- Ask your plan which tier it is on, and if you need prior approval.
- Ask the maker about its copay program and patient help programs.
- Ask your doctor about biosimilars, which may cost less.
- Compare the total with the range above: $4,695 to $17,000 per injection for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Ask about a ustekinumab biosimilar. It is the same medicine and your plan may already prefer it.
- Enroll in Janssen CarePath if you have commercial insurance. The card covers up to $20,000 a year.
- If uninsured, apply to J&J Patient Assistance before paying anything.
- On Medicare, compare your plan's 2027 formulary during open enrollment, since Stelara's negotiated price ends after 2026.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from CoveredUSA, Healio, The Derm Digest and DLA Piper. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does Stelara cost without insurance?
CoveredUSA says the cash price for a 90 mg syringe is $11,000 to $17,000 per injection.
Did the price drop in 2026?
Healio says Medicare negotiation set a price of $4,695 for a 30 day supply, down from $13,836. That price is for Medicare.
Will I pay the full list price?
Most people do not. Insurance, copay programs and patient help programs can cut what you pay a lot.
Are there cheaper options?
Ask your doctor about biosimilars. These are close copies of Stelara and may cost less.