Help with insulin is a phone call away.
If you are struggling to pay for insulin and diabetes medication, ADA can help. We’ve consolidated all the resources you need so that you can find help, fast.
If you are struggling to pay for insulin and diabetes medication, ADA can help. We’ve consolidated all the resources you need so that you can find help, fast.
Manufacturers are not reporting that COVID-19 is impacting access to insulin and other supplies:
Leading manufacturers are reporting that COVID-19 is not having an impact on their current manufacturing and distribution capabilities for insulin and other supplies at this time. We are continuing to monitor the situation and will provide updates should anything change. If you are struggling to pay for insulin or know someone who is, the ADA has resources to help.
There are four insulin manufacturers who offer immediate assistance and long-term resources.
This is the fastest way to get help. Be sure to have all of your information ready before you call. Available options are based on your income, insurance, and the type of insulin you need.
In order to find the right support for you, when you call, you may be asked for the following information:
Find out who your manufacturer is by checking the company logo on your insulin vial or pen, and call using the numbers provided below.
A customer service representative will confirm your eligibility and explain your options.
Lilly Diabetes Solution Center
833-808-1234
Novo Nordisk NovoCare®
1-844-NOVO4ME
1-844-668-6463
Sanofi Patient Savings Programs
1-855-984-6302
MannKind Support Programs
Co-Pay Program
Direct Purchase Program
NEW as of March 1, 2023: Lilly is expanding its Insulin Value Program that caps out-of-pocket insulin costs for legal U.S. residents to $35 or less per month. Whether you have commercial insurance or no insurance, you can fill your monthly prescription of Lilly insulin for $35 or less.
Free insulin options:
You can learn more about Lilly’s insulin affordability solutions at InsulinAffordability.com.
MARCH 14, 2023 ANNOUNCEMENT: Novo Nordisk announced that it would reduce the wholesale list prices for several types of insulin, effective Jan. 1, 2024. This includes:
Patient Assistance Program (PAP): This program has been enhanced to provide insulin free of charge for 90 days to eligible participants. Effective April 1, 2020, Medicare patients were no longer required to pay $1,000 for medicines before being eligible for the Novo Nordisk PAP. To be eligible, a person must:
Be a US citizen or legal resident.
Have a total household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL) (See NeedyMeds for a list of the current FPL guidelines) [A family of four with an annual income up to $104,800 may receive free medications through our PAP. For individuals, the annual income limit for participation is $51,040.]
Be uninsured, or in the Medicare program.
Not be enrolled in or qualify for any other federal, state or government program such as Medicaid, Low Income Subsidy or Veterans (VA) Benefits.
Exceptions include patients who are Medicaid eligible who have applied for and been denied Medicaid.
My$99Insulin: For $99, people with diabetes can get up to three vials or two packs of FlexPen®/FlexTouch®/PenFill® pens, of any combination of Novo Nordisk Inc. insulins with a prescription.
Follow-on brand (also known as authorized generics) insulins: Follow-on brand versions of NovoLog® and NovoLog® Mix, from Novo Nordisk Pharma, Inc. (NNPI), a Novo Nordisk A/S US company, can be ordered at one's local pharmacy, and cost 50 percent off the current list prices of the branded medicines.
Immediate Supply: A short-term, immediate-need program for those at risk of rationing while working to identify a longer-term solution. Novo Nordisk may be able to help by providing a free, one-time, immediate supply of up to three vials or two packs of pens of Novo Nordisk Inc. insulin with a prescription.
Novo Nordisk human insulin, named ReliOn™, available at Walmart for about $25/vial and for about $44/box of FlexPen®. Similar offerings are found at CVS and other national pharmacies.
Copay Savings Cards to help defray the costs for commercially insured patients who are experiencing high out-of-pocket costs. If you have insurance through your employer or private insurance, you may pay as little as $5 per 30-day supply of Tresiba® (maximum savings of $150 per 30-day supply) and/or $25 per 30-day supply of Novolog® (maximum savings up to $100 per 30-day supply) for up to 24 months.
For more information about Novo Nordisk insulins and affordability programs visit MyNovoInsulin.com.
NEW:
In response to COVID-19, Sanofi has expanded their patient assistance program. Call the above phone number to connect with a Sanofi representative about your individual situation. Click to learn more about the Sanofi Co-pay Programs and Insulins Valyou Savings Program.
Sanofi Patient Connection: Qualified low- and middle-income patients can receive free medications through the patient assistance component of this program. People who have suffered a recent financial hardship as a result of COVID-19 can call (855) 700-0073. The following program components have been recently updated in response to COVID-19: Enabled those already participating in the patient assistance program to make an early reorder of their prescription(s) to ensure they have a 90-day supply. Expanded acceptable documentation for proof of income when a person’s claiming their financial circumstances have changed, such as a job loss, furlough, or reduced hours. This recognizes that unemployment award letters may be delayed given the significant volume of unemployment claims. Extended the Temporary Patient Assistance Program (TPAP) from 90 days to 180 days. The TPAP is for patients who meet all other eligibility criteria of the patient assistance program, but may be Medicaid eligible and are awaiting a response letter. With this temporary change, eligible TPAP patients will receive free medicine for up to 180 days. Insulins Valyou Savings Program: Eligible, uninsured patients, regardless of income level, can access one or multiple Sanofi insulins (Lantus, Toujeo, Admelog, and Apidra) for a fixed price of $99 per month for up to 10 boxes of pens and/or 10mL vials. Co-pay Assistance Programs: Eligible, commercially insured patients, regardless of income level, can use a co-pay card, which limits out-of-pocket expenses for a majority of patients to $0 or $10. These programs exist for Adlyxin, Apidra, Lantus, Toujeo, and Soliqua 100/33.
Below is a list of medical device manufacturers, call the company directly to learn about their patient assistance program.
1-888-522-5226
1-888-738-3646
1-844-736-7348
1-800-591-3455
1-800-646-4633
1-877-986-0601
Find low (or no) cost options near you.
Want local support? Find a community health clinic or pharmacy in your area that may offer free or low-cost services and medications.
or visit HRSA.gov
Health equity is a human right. We must solve it together.
Health inequity is obvious and widespread. It contributes to worse outcomes and higher risk for diabetes and many other diseases. And it undermines the wellbeing of our most underserved communities. Diabetes drugs, devices, supplies, and health insurance must be affordable and accessible.
Are you living with type 2 diabetes, looking for more information about insulin and not sure where to start? We’ve got you covered. We’re arming you with all the knowledge to make your next medical visit is a success. Check out these helpful questions to ask your care team, top things to know, and different types of insulin available:
Top 5 Questions to Ask Your Diabetes Care Team
Download PDFTop 10 Things to Know about Insulin for Type 2 Diabetes
Download PDFTypes of Insulin for People with Diabetes
Download PDFLooking for resources in your local community? Easily find the diabetes program or resources in your area you've been looking for. Search for almost anything from medical care to education, to nutrition and health. Find resources in every zip code so you can get the help you need wherever you are.
The following is a list of diabetes medication manufacturers, drug discount programs and health care insurers with special patient assistance.
Note: This is not an exhausted list of companies or programs, many insurers and drug manufacturers have recently launched new patient assistance programs to help with drug costs in response to COVID-19. Call your insurers and diabetes medication manufacturer directly to learn more about cost-saving options.
Patient Assurance Program helps customers pay less for eligible insulin products.
1-800-997-1654
Find coupons and other assistance with prescriptions.
1-800-727-5400
Through our partnership with Sanofi, we now offer insulin at just $35 a month for those without insurance.
Helps people without coverage get medications free or nearly free
Save on glucagon, may pay as little as $0.
1-877-694-8653
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recognizes that affordable access to insulin is a matter of life and death, every day for more than 7.5 million Americans with diabetes.
It is important to note that human insulin is not “lower grade.” Rather, it is cheaper than analog insulins because it has been on the market since the 1980s, whereas newer analog insulins were introduced more recently in the mid-1990s.
Human insulin formulations include long-acting insulins like NPH, which has a duration of 8-12 hours, or regular insulin, which has a much quicker onset, as little as 30 minutes, and shorter duration. In select patients with proper monitoring, human insulin may be an option for those who struggle with affording their medications.
In our white paper, published in Diabetes Care, we acknowledge that prescribing patterns have favored newer, more expensive insulins, and acknowledge that human insulin may be an appropriate alternative to more expensive analog insulins for some people with diabetes. We recommend providers “prescribe the lowest-priced insulin required to effectively and safely achieve treatment goals,” which may include using human insulin in selected patients.
If you're struggling with the cost of insulin, you're not alone. Be sure to talk to your healthcare team to learn about your options.
Visit diabetes.org to find a wealth of resources for living with diabetes or call 1-800-DIABETES (800-342-2383) to speak to an American Diabetes Association representative. They can connect you with appropriate resources in your area and can answer questions in English, Spanish, or any language with a language interpreter service. (Please note that ADA representatives can only answer non-medical questions. If you are need emergency medical service, call 911.)
Call
1-800-DIABETES
(800-342-2383)
Monday–Friday,
9am to 5:30pm ET
