How to Save Money on Insulin, a Cost Comparison Guide

The basics

Patients who need expensive, brand-name drugs often look to their drug manufacturers to help lower out-of-pocket costs. Typical pharmaceutical company offerings include copay cards for those with commercial insurance and patient assistance programs (PAPs) for those who are uninsured or whose medication isn’t covered by their insurance plan. This was the case for insulin makers until public and government alarm surrounding insulin prices reached new levels in 2019, spurring different approaches to reduce costs for Americans with diabetes.

Along with authorized generics (not to be confused with regular generics), new savings programs with fewer eligibility requirements were also introduced to make the lifesaving treatments more accessible, regardless of insurance coverage. In this guide, we walk through these insulin manufacturer’s savings programs — both new and old — to help you determine the best way for you to get affordable insulin.

Immediate supply programs

It’s important for patients on insulin therapy to get their medications or they’ll run the risk of developing hypoglycemia and other health complications. Several manufacturers offer a one-time, short-term supply of insulin so patients can continue treatment as they figure out a longer-term solution.

Novo Nordisk Immediate Supply

Lilly Diabetes Solution Center — Immediate Supply

MannKind AfrezzaAssist Start-Out Program

Saving programs for people without insurance

With record-breaking unemployment claims filed in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, programs for those who are uninsured are more important than ever. New savings programs, along with traditional PAPS, from all three major insulin makers mean patients can avoid gaps in treatment as their circumstances change.

Novo My$99Insulin

Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program

Sanofi Insulins Valyou Savings Program

Sanofi Patient Assistance Connection

Lilly Insulin Value Program

Lilly Cares

MannKind Direct Purchase Program

Savings programs for people with commercial insurance

For people who get their insurance through an employer or the Affordable Care Act Marketplace, insulin copay prices can still be expensive — especially if they have a high deductible health plan, already pay high monthly premiums, or take a medication not covered by their plan.

Those with commercial insurance can take advantage of manufacturer copay savings programs to lower their costs at the counter, and their savings will depend on their original copay amount. We’ve also listed out non-traditional savings programs that this group is eligible for.

Novo Nordisk Diabetes Savings Card

Patients are only eligible for Novo Nordisk copay cards if their prescription is already covered by their commercial insurance plan, unless otherwise stated.

Sanofi Copay Program

Sanofi Patient Assistance Connection

Eli Lilly Savings Cards

Lilly Insulin Value Program

MannKind Savings Card

Savings programs for people with public insurance

Savings options for enrollees of Medicare and other government healthcare programs are far and few between due to anti-kickback laws. However, GoodRx research shows that those who rely on federal prescription benefits are seeing higher costs and more restrictions in their coverage. Luckily, patients in these groups may still be eligible for assistance.

Novo My$99Insulin Program

Sanofi Patient Assistance Connection

Lilly Insulin Value Program

Authorized generic insulins

A big part of why insulin can be so expensive is because insulins are biologics. Biologics are made of large, more complex components, making it harder to develop generics (called biosimilars).

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In 2019, the manufacturers of popular insulin drugs Humalog and Novolog announced they would be offering generic versions. However, these are not true generics, but rather authorized generics, which have the same recipe as the original brand medication and are produced by the original manufacturer. This ensures that the insulin makers maintain their market share while offering a more affordable price — that is, if these authorized generics are even available for purchase.

Authorized generics cut down prices of Humalog and Novolog by at least 50%. Below, we’ve listed the current GoodRx prices for the brand-name insulins and their generic counterparts.

Walmart insulins

Walmart stores across the country sell Novolin insulins over the counter, under the brand “ReliOn”. Since ReliOn and Novolin insulins are an older type of insulin, they are relatively inexpensive at $25 per vial or $40 per box of pens.

Being able to purchase ReliOn without a prescription also means avoiding the cost of a doctor’s visit. While this is a tempting alternative for patients already taking Novolin R, Novolin N, or Novolin 70/30, older insulins are less predictable and require stricter diet and insulin management. For these reasons, patients should not switch to ReliOn without first consulting their pharmacist or other healthcare provider, and ReliOn is not recommended for those with Type 1 diabetes.

You can find GoodRx coupons for ReliOn insulin below:

• ReliOn R

• ReliOn N

• ReliOn 70/30

Current average retail prices of insulin

* Pricing data compiled 3/31/2020

Our Patient Advocacy team is here to help

The good news: There are savings options available if you’re struggling to afford your insulin. The bad news: All these programs and eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and choose between.

If you would like to learn more about these programs, the GoodRx Patient Advocacy team is here to help! Call us at 1-888-799-2553 and we’ll provide assistance for free.

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Written by:

Katie Mui

Katie Mui leads social impact efforts at GoodRx. She believes in health equity and the importance of patient advocacy and empowerment.

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