5 Ways to Save on Insulin (Or Even Get It For Free) — With or Without Insurance

If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, your healthcare professional may prescribe insulin to help control your blood sugar levels. In the U.S., more than 8 million people use insulin. But about 1 in 6 adults report rationing their medication because of the high costs.

The good news is that insulin has become more affordable in recent years. Since August 2022, prices have dropped thanks in part to the Inflation Reduction Act, which capped monthly insulin costs for Medicare enrollees. Insulin manufacturers Eli Lilly and Sanofi also lowered their prices. Now they offer many insulins for no more than $35 per month.

Whether you have insurance or not, here are ways you can get low-cost or even free insulin.

1. Review your health insurance plan

It’s a good idea to review your health insurance plan before getting a prescription for insulin. You’ll get a better idea of the following:

• Cost and coverage: Check out your summary of benefits and coverage to learn more about your potential insulin costs.

• Your plan’s formulary: Reviewing the list of medications in your health plan formulary will show you which insulins are included.

• Out-of-pocket costs: Determine if you need to pay a deductible, a copay, or any other amounts for your medication.

Ask your insurer which insulin products are preferred under your plan. Then you can compare prescription prices at a retail pharmacy and mail order. If your insulin brand isn’t preferred, a healthcare professional can request a prior authorization to keep you on it, especially if switching could cause side effects or unstable blood sugar.

If prior authorization is denied, the Affordable Care Act gives you the right to submit an appeal. To strengthen your appeal, ask a healthcare professional for documentation. It could help prove your medication is medically necessary.

2. Research manufacturer savings cards

A manufacturer savings card is a copay card from the company that makes your insulin. It can lower your out-of-pocket costs and may work whether you have commercial insurance or pay cash. These cards usually aren’t valid for people enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, or other government insurance. You can print the card from the manufacturer’s website or show a digital version at the pharmacy.

Eli Lilly savings cards

Since 2023, Eli Lilly’s Insulin Value Program has capped all Lilly insulin products at $35 per month for people with commercial insurance or who are paying cash. Discounts may apply automatically at most pharmacies or with a downloadable card. The Lilly Insulin Value Program covers the following insulins that are consistent with FDA-approved product labeling:

• Humalog (insulin lispro)

• Humalog 50/50 (insulin lispro / insulin lispro protamine)

• Humalog 75/25 (insulin lispro protamin / insulin lispro)

• Humulin R (insulin regular)

• Basaglar (insulin glargine)

• Rezvoglar (insulin glargine-aglr)

• Lyumjev (insulin lispro)

• Humulin N (human insulin)

• Humulin 70/30 (insulin NPH / insulin regular)

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Looking to reduce your medication costs? From GoodRx coupons to manufacturer copay cards, here are ways to save on prescription medications.

• How much does Lantus cost? Here’s what you might pay if a healthcare professional prescribes Lantus to manage Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.

• Maximize your HSA benefits: Learn how your health savings account (HSA) can help pay for insulin and other qualified medical expenses.

Novo Nordisk savings card

The Novo Nordisk savings card allows eligible people with private or commercial insurance to pay as little as $35 per 30-day supply (with savings of up to $65), or no more than $99 per prescription for up to 24 months for insulin. Novo Nordisk provides a savings offer for the following insulin medications:

• Fiasp (insulin aspart)

• NovoLog (insulin aspart)

• NovoLog Mix 70/30 (insulin aspart protamine / insulin aspart)

• Tresiba (insulin degludec)

If you’re commercially insured and your medication isn’t covered — or is covered but your copay is over $100 for a 30-day supply — the offer can be used instead of your insurance. In that case, it will not count toward your deductible and will not be applied to your out-of-pocket costs. This is the amount you pay each year that counts toward your plan’s coverage limits.

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Sanofi Aventis savings cards

Savings cards from Sanofi Aventis can reduce copays to $35 or less for a 1-month supply with or without insurance. But the savings vary depending on the individual insulin product. Sanofi Aventis savings cards are available for the following medications:

• Apidra (insulin glulisine)

• Admelog (insulin lispro)

• Lantus (insulin glargine)

• Soliqua 100/33 (insulin glargine / lixisenatide)

• Toujeo (insulin glargine)

3.  Search for patient assistance programs

Patient assistance programs (PAPs) are offered by pharmaceutical companies, nonprofits, and government agencies. They help people who cannot afford their medications. They typically offer free or reduced-cost medications to individuals who meet eligibility requirements. These include being:

• Uninsured or underinsured 

• Enrolled in Medicare Part D

• A U.S. resident

• In a household with an income that meets federal guidelines

Below are a few insulin manufacturers that offer help through their PAPs. All three patient assistance programs typically offer free insulin to uninsured enrollees. The benefit lasts for up to 12 consecutive months. People who have Medicare Part D are usually eligible for benefits for the full 12 months or until the end of the calendar year. Participants can typically reapply 30 to 60 days before their enrollment period ends.

Eli Lilly

The Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program offers prescribed Lilly medications, including insulin, for free for up to 12 months to eligible individuals with financial needs. The program supports uninsured individuals or those with limited Medicare coverage.

To qualify, you must:

• Live in one of the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, or U.S. Virgin Islands

• Have a prescription for a Lilly Cares medication

• Not be enrolled in Medicaid, full Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy; LIS), or Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits

• Not be required by insurance or others to apply to Lilly Cares

• Not have insurance or Medicare Part D 

• Have a gross household income below 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL) for select insulins, such as Humalog, Basaglar, and Lyumjev

Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk’s Patient Assistance Program offers insulin and other essential medications at no cost to eligible individuals. Approved participants receive free medicine with no enrollment fee or monthly charge for participation.

To qualify, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or a legal resident

• Be uninsured or on Medicare (private insurance not eligible)

• Meet household income requirements

• Not be enrolled in or eligible for Medicaid, Extra Help (LIS), or VA benefits

• Sign a form stating you’re not enrolled in Medicaid (if eligible) or show proof of denial

Sanofi

Sanofi Patient Connection helps eligible individuals obtain certain Sanofi medications at no cost. In addition to free medication, the program also offers support with insurance coverage reviews and access to a resource center that can connect you with additional patient assistance services. To qualify, you must:

• Live in the U.S. or a U.S. territory

• Be under the care of a licensed healthcare professional and have a valid prescription

• Be uninsured or have commercial insurance that does not cover the prescribed medication

• Be enrolled in Medicare Part B without supplemental insurance

• Be enrolled in Medicare Part D and meet all other program requirements

• Have a gross household income at or below 400% of the FPL

• Provide proof of Medicaid denial if you may qualify for Medicaid

4. Use a free GoodRx coupon

Fortunately, you don’t have to rely solely on insurance or manufacturer programs to save money on insulin. If your insurance copay is too much or you don’t have insurance, GoodRx coupons can help. For example, you can pay as low as $33.36 for a 10 mL vial of generic Humalog 100 u/mL at some pharmacies with a GoodRx coupon.

Here’s how you can get a GoodRx coupon:

• Visit GoodRx.com or use the GoodRx mobile app.

• Enter the name of your prescribed insulin.

• Choose the dosage and quantity you need.

• Click on “Set Your Location” to find pharmacy discounts near you.

• Call the pharmacy with your coupon information before picking up your prescription. This can help ensure the discount is applied and prevent any delays at checkout.

5. Search for insulin resources for people without insurance

There are many community health clinics and other organizations that provide low-cost or even free healthcare services to eligible people. This can sometimes include prescription medications like insulin.

Some healthcare professional offices also have access to free insulin samples. Eli Lilly, for example, has donated insulin products to clinics nationwide. Here are a few other resources:

• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA): This government agency supports health centers that provide care on a sliding scale. They are required to offer affordable access to Insulin even if you don’t have insurance. Many of these clinics also participate in the 340B program, which helps lower medication costs. You can use HRSA’s search tool to find a clinic near you.

• National Association of Free & Charitable Clinics: This organization runs a searchable directory of free and low-cost clinics across the U.S. These clinics often provide medical care, prescription help, and other services to people without insurance or with limited income. You can search by ZIP code to find one near you.

• NeedyMeds: On the NeedyMeds website, you can find patient assistance programs, discount cards, and clinic listings to help lower the cost of medications like insulin. Just type the name of your medication to see what help is available.

• Department of Health: Your state or county health department may have a list of clinics and public health programs that offer free or low-cost services, including prescription help.

• 211.org: 211 connects you to local programs that offer financial help, including support with healthcare, medications, housing, food, and more. Just enter your ZIP code to find resources in your area, or call 211 to speak with someone who can help you find low-cost or free services.

If it’s an emergency and you need insulin now

If you’re running out of insulin and can’t afford to refill your prescription, there are immediate options available beyond calling 911. Here are a few resources that may help you access insulin quickly:

• GetInsulin.org: Offers direct support for people in urgent need of insulin. By entering a few details, you’ll receive a personalized action plan — including options if you need insulin within the next 7 days.

• Manufacturer immediate supply programs: Novo Nordisk offers a onetime immediate insulin supply that provides up to 3 vials or 2 pen packs of insulin for free. It’s meant for people who might ration their insulin because they cannot afford more, and the supply usually lasts 30 days. Sanofi has a similar program, so you can get a voucher for an Immediate Supply Program: Novo Nordisk offers a onetime immediate insulin supply that provides up to 3 vials or 2 pen packs of insulin and a onetime 30-day supply of Sanofi Insulin at no cost.

• Lilly Minnesota Insulin Safety Net Program: Minnesota residents may qualify for the state’s Urgent Need Program. It provides a onetime 30-day supply of insulin for a $35 copay to eligible residents with less than a 7-day supply. Proof of Minnesota residency and a valid prescription are required, and most people can use the program only once every 12 months.

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Written by:

DeShena Woodard, BSN, RN

DeShena Woodard, BSN, RN, is a Texas-based registered nurse, freelance writer, financial freedom coach, and certified life coach. Writing about personal finance for more than 3 years, her advice has been featured on Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, NerdWallet, Debt.com, GoBankingRates, the Balance, and also on her own website, ExtravagantlyBroke.com.

Edited by:

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA

Charlene Rhinehart, CPA, is a personal finance editor at GoodRx. She has been a certified public accountant for over a decade.

Reviewed by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

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