Affordable Insulin: How To Find It Online Or At A Location Near You
Here’s How To Find Affordable Insulin Online Or A Location Near You
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If you have diabetes, you may worry quite a bit about spikes in blood sugar. It doesn’t only cost you co-occurring symptoms and chronic conditions. It also costs you a lot of money. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the out-of-pocket spending for insulin has nearly doubled over the last decade. And while members of Congress tried to pass a bill that would limit the cost of insulin for everyone in America, as NBC News reports, it was only passed for qualifying Medicare patients.
That leaves everyone else still paying anywhere from roughly $25 to $100 per vial of insulin. Some reports have found that a significant number of diabetics skip insulin when they need it, in order to cut costs, which can have dangerous and even deadly consequences.
The NBC News report did state that the battle for affordable insulin isn’t over, and the bill proposing affordable insulin for all will reappear. Until then, thousands of Americans are left looking for ways to pay for this medication that they depend on to live. If you or someone you love is struggling to afford insulin, here are some ways to make this medication more affordable.
Coupon Sites For Prescription Insulin
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If you’d like to stick to your usual prescription insulin brand, there are several coupon sites that can help you do so while reducing the total cost. These include:
- Blink Health which helps you locate the pharmacy offering the lowest price for your prescription insulin and helps you set up home delivery
- GoodRx provides coupons and discount cards
- SingleCare helps you find coupons you can bring to your pharmacy and
- Inside Rx helps you find coupons and offers a discount card
Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
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Some insulin manufacturers offer pharmaceutical assistance programs that can help diabetics find no or low-cost insulin. Each manufacturer has their own program with its own specific guidelines, but they are designed for low-income insulin users, so you will need to meet specific income requirements. Keep in mind by using one of these programs, you will be receiving that company’s insulin, so speak to your doctor before applying.
The Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program
The Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program provides Eli Lilly insulin to those with limited income who have either Medicare Part D or no insurance. Patients will need to meet specific income requirements, and these vary by state, so check their website to find out if you qualify. Recipients of this assistance will need to re-apply each year.
The Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program
The Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program is for insulin users who have Medicare or have no insurance and who have an income at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level. Through the program, patients can receive free insulin for up to 90 days and then get discounts on insulin after the 90 days have elapsed.
The Sanofi Patient Assistance Connection
The Sanofi Patient Assistance Program offers free insulin to individuals living at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level. It is available to those with Medicare Part D or no insurance.
Each of the above listed manufacturers additionally offers copay savings cards that can reduce your pay. These differ from their assistance programs because your income level doesn’t affect your qualifications. With one of these cards, you can expect to pay a co-pay of anywhere from $0 to $35.
Alternative Savings Plans
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If you do not qualify for the aforementioned programs or for any reason cannot utilize the coupons and savings cards, you can also consider these options:
- Walmart’s ReliOn Insulin. In 2021, Walmart created its own access and affordability program to patients with diabetes. Through the program, patients can save between 58 to 75 percent off the cash price of insulin. It is private-label insulin provided exclusively at Walmart and Costco called ReliOn NovoLog. It does require a prescription, and patients should consult with their doctor before making the switch.
- Community health center. Like with many other common prescriptions, your local community health center might offer sliding scale options for insulin. Locate your local community health center to get more information.
