How to Save on Diabetes Medication, Devices, and Supplies
Key takeaways:
Diabetes medications, devices, and supplies can add up to thousands in out-of-pocket costs — even if you have health insurance.
You can cut prescription costs by using GoodRx coupons, switching to generic versions of medications, and using manufacturer copay savings cards.
If you can’t afford your diabetes medication(s) and supplies, you may be eligible for programs that help cover some or all of your costs.
Table of contents
More than 38 million children and adults in the U.S. live with diabetes, and managing the condition can be costly. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), the average person with diabetes has about $20,000 in medical expenses per year, and the majority of those costs — about $12,000 — are directly related to diabetes.
The high cost of diabetes medications, supplies, and devices — such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors — can make it difficult to afford optimal care. And not managing the condition can raise the risk of diabetes-related complications.
It is possible to make taking charge of your diabetes more affordable. Below, we offer eight ways to save on diabetes medications as well as devices and supplies.
1. Generic medications
In some cases, your healthcare professional may prescribe a diabetes medication that is very costly or not covered by your insurance. If you’re facing high costs for your prescriptions, ask them about lower-priced alternatives. Your options may include more affordable brand-name medications or generics.
Generic medications for diabetes can cost hundreds of dollars less a year than their brand-name counterparts. If you have prescription medication coverage, copays for generics are often lower as well. Check with your insurance plan about your coverage and out-of-pocket costs.
2. Patient assistance programs
If you have trouble affording your medications, you may qualify for patient assistance programs (PAPs). These programs help people who meet certain criteria — such as having a low income, being underinsured, or being uninsured — pay for their medications. Pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations may offer PAPs. Some examples include:
Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation: The PAN Foundation helps people with certain rare, chronic, or life-threatening conditions, including Type 2 diabetes and diabetes-related foot ulcers.
HealthWell Foundation: The HealthWell Foundation assists people who have specific conditions with paying insurance premiums, copays, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs. At the time of publication, the funds for people with Type 2 diabetes and diabetes-related foot ulcers were temporarily closed to new enrollees.
Pharmaceutical companies also have special programs through related foundations or nonprofits that connect eligible individuals with discounted or free medications. Search the GoodRx website or app for your specific medication and scroll down to the “ways to save” section for additional information.
3. Manufacturer copay savings cards and other discounts
Manufacturer patient assistance programs can help lower the cost of your medications. RxAssist is one online navigator that can match you with a program. Some manufacturers offer copay savings cards or coupons to help lower the cost of their medications. These discounts are designed for people with commercial insurance plans.
To find out if the manufacturer of your medication offers a copay savings card, you can search for the medication on the GoodRx website or app and go to the section with information on ways to save. A discount card could lower your out-of-pocket costs and even drop your expense for a fill to zero.
Can you reverse diabetes? While no treatments make diabetes go away completely, people with Type 2 diabetes may be able to go into remission. Explore ways to simplify managing your diabetes.
A1C home test kits: A hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c or A1C) test can help people living with diabetes manage their condition. Find out how and when to use an FDA-approved A1C test kit at home.
Diabetes and foot ulcers: Foot ulcers are common complications of diabetes. Here’s how diabetes leads to foot ulcers, why they are dangerous, and how to prevent them.
4. Patient advocacy organizations
Patient advocacy organizations are nonprofits that help support individuals who live with certain conditions, such as diabetes, and their families. These groups can help you find resources to cover costly medical care and medications for diabetes and save on diabetes supplies. For example, the Patient Advocate Foundation helps people in many ways, including copay relief.
5. State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs (SPAPs) offer financial assistance that helps people with limited resources pay for prescription-related costs. Coverage and eligibility requirements vary widely by location. For the most part, SPAPs help older adults with Medicare Part D coverage afford their medications.
6. Medicare
Your Medicare plan will determine your coverage for diabetes services and supplies. You may be responsible for paying your deductible, copayment, or coinsurance. If you can’t afford these costs, you may qualify for a Medicare Savings Program. You can apply for a Medicare Savings Program through your state Medicaid program.
Eligibility is based on income, and the requirements differ for individuals and couples. Limits change every year. If you qualify, you may get assistance paying for your original Medicare Part A and Part B costs, including premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
Medicare Advantage plans may offer diabetes care coverage that exceeds what’s available from original Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage plans have diabetes management programs that help coordinate care and ensure you have access to the services and supplies you need to handle your diabetes. Check with your plan to find out coverage specifics. It’s important to note that Medicare Advantage coverage can vary more year to year than original Medicare.
7. Medigap
Medigap is supplemental insurance that helps pay for costs not covered by original Medicare. Deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance may be covered in part or fully, depending on your plan. To buy a Medigap policy, contact a licensed insurance company in your area.
8. Other resources for affordable diabetes care
If you qualify, these are some other programs that may be able to help you save on diabetes medicine or care:
In addition, you can look up your diabetes medication on GoodRx to explore savings or book a virtual visit for $49 or less with a healthcare professional.
Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to lower the cost of your diabetes medication or even get it for free. If you have commercial insurance, manufacturer copay savings cards could lower your costs to $0 per fill. If you qualify, patient assistance programs, patient advocacy organizations, or your State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP) may be able to help you access certain medications for free. There are also organizations like GetInsulin.org and the Diabetes Foundation that can connect you with programs that provide free or low-cost insulin, technology, and supplies.
While diabetes is considered a disability for some people, having this condition doesn’t guarantee that you will qualify for disability benefits. You must have serious health issues from diabetes to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
For Type 2 diabetes, Metformin (glucophage) is often used as a first-choice generic medication. It’s very affordable and, at certain pharmacies, could cost $10 or less for a 30-day supply with a GoodRx coupon. Metformin is covered by most health insurance plans, but you may pay less out of pocket with a GoodRx discount.
The bottom line
Your expenses for diabetes medications, supplies, devices, and ongoing care can be significant. Even with insurance, the cost of managing diabetes can add up to thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket spending every year. Opting for generic medications, when possible, and using manufacturer copay savings cards can help you cut costs. If you qualify, patient assistance programs and other resources may help cover some expenses associated with managing diabetes.
Why trust our experts?
References
American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). 4 easy ways to help manage diabetes care costs.
American Diabetes Association. (n.d.). Is diabetes a disability?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). National diabetes statistics report.
McSpadden, J. (2024). A new era for State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs that serve older adults. AARP.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Medicare Savings Programs.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). What's Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap)?
Medicare Interactive. (2025). SPAP basics. Medicare Rights Center.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2019). Financial help for diabetes care. National Institute of Health.
Parker, E. D., et al. (2023). Economic costs of diabetes in the U.S. in 2022. Diabetes Care.
Rayasam, R. (2024). High price of Ozempic, other diabetes drugs deprive low-income people of effective treatment. CBS News.
