How Much Does Lantus Cost Without Insurance?

People with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes may be prescribed Lantus (insulin glargine) to help lower their blood glucose (sugar). Lantus is a long-acting insulin injected under the skin (subcutaneously) once a day, and it lasts in your body for about 24 hours. You can buy Lantus in vials to use with a syringe or as prefilled pens (Lantus SoloStar). Your prescriber may have you take Lantus on its own or with other diabetes medications.

The cost of Lantus depends on several factors, including your location, preferred pharmacy, prescribed dose, and insurance coverage. But you may be able to pay as little as $35 for a 30-day supply of Lantus using a GoodRx coupon. 

How much does Lantus cost, and what affects the price?

Without insurance, the retail price of Lantus ranges from $408 to $550 for a pack of 5 Lantus SoloStar pens. Each SoloStar pen contains 3 mL of Lantus. 

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Use GoodRx to find medications, pharmacies, and discounts.

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Bring your free coupon or savings card to the pharmacy.

However, the price you pay could be higher or lower depending on several factors, including: 

• Pharmacy: Some pharmacies charge more than others for prescription medications. It’s worth shopping around to save money. You can also use GoodRx to compare prices and find the best deal near you.

• Location: Prices for prescription medications, including Lantus, can change between states and cities. Even neighboring towns can have different costs.

• Health insurance coverage: Whether or not your insurance covers Lantus, as well as your plan’s required out-of-pocket expenses — deductibles, copays, and coinsurance — can impact what you pay.

• Dosage: Your prescriber may determine your Lantus dosage based on the type of diabetes you have and other factors, including your body weight. Your dosage can also change over time. The number of Lantus vials or pens you need for your specific dosage every month can affect your overall cost.

• Discounts: Whether or not you use prescription savings coupons, such as those available through GoodRx or the programs offered by Lantus’ manufacturer, can impact your cost.

Does insurance cover Lantus?

Lantus was approved by the FDA in 2000 to help lower blood glucose levels in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Many health insurance plans include coverage for Lantus. Still, how much you'll pay can vary based on the details of your insurance plan.

Does employer-sponsored health insurance cover Lantus?

Most employer-sponsored insurance plans cover Lantus. However, the exact coverage and out-of-pocket costs for Lantus depend on your specific insurer and plan. 

According to the American Diabetes Association, about half of all states cap monthly copayments for insulin, potentially limiting what you'll pay out of pocket for Lantus. Additionally, with the new Sanofi Insulins Co-pay Savings Program, Lantus costs no more than $35 for a 30-day supply for commercially insured people.

Does Medicare cover Lantus? 

Insulin may be covered under either Medicare Part B or Medicare Part D, depending on how it is administered. Insulin for reusable external insulin pumps falls under Medicare Part B coverage. However, Medicare Part D covers insulin delivered by disposable pumps or injections, such as Lantus. Check your plan's details to see if your Medicare Part D plan pays for Lantus.

Thanks to recent changes in the law, if you have Medicare Part D, your monthly cost for insulin is capped at $35, and you won’t have to pay a deductible. This rule applies to everyone on Medicare Part D, including those who get Extra Help.

Medicare Advantage plans also generally provide prescription medication coverage that would cover Lantus.

Does Medicaid cover Lantus? 

Medicaid provides free or low-cost prescription medications for those enrolled. However, each state decides which medications are included. This means Medicaid coverage for Lantus depends on where you live. Some states cover it fully, while others may have restrictions or not cover it at all.

The best way to find out if Lantus is covered through your Medicaid program is to contact your local Medicaid agency directly. It can provide details on which diabetes medications and supplies are included.

How can you get your insurance to cover Lantus?

Most insurance plans, including Medicare Part D, cover some of the cost of Lantus if your healthcare team prescribes it. It’s a good idea to check if Lantus is included in your plan's formulary. The formulary shows which medications your insurer has agreed to pay for. If Lantus appears on this list, your insurance company may pay for it.

Some insurers require a prior authorization for Lantus. This involves your prescriber confirming your diagnosis and the need for Lantus as treatment. However, you may still have out-of-pocket expenses. 

If your insurance does not cover Lantus, talk to your prescriber about a Lantus alternative, such as a biosimilar like Rezvoglar. An unbranded version of Lantus is also available, which is the same insulin but without the Lantus brand name.

Here are steps you can take to gain an exception if your insurance plan doesn’t typically cover Lantus:

• Contact your health insurance company: Call your insurer to find out what steps to take to request a formulary exception.

• Obtain an exception request: Your prescriber may have to submit an exception request or letter of medical necessity to your insurance company. In the letter, your prescriber will generally explain why Lantus is medically necessary for your situation.

• Submit an appeal: If your exception request is denied, you can work with your prescriber to appeal the decision. Follow the appeals process set by your insurance company. You may need to provide additional medical records supporting why Lantus is needed for your care. The appeals process can take time, especially if your plan denies your appeal and you need to file for an external review.

Can you get free insulin without insurance?

Yes. You can get Lantus for free through Sanofi’s Patient Assistance Connection program if you meet certain requirements.

To qualify, you must:

• Live in the U.S. or U.S. territories

• Be under the care of a healthcare professional who can prescribe medications in the U.S.

• Have a household income less than or not more than 400% of the Federal Poverty Level

• Have no insurance or insurance that does not cover Lantus

If it appears you qualify for Medicaid, you will need to show paperwork proving that you applied and were denied. Even if you’re enrolled in Medicare Part D, you may be eligible based on income.

To apply: 

• Download an application based on your state.

• Have it filled out and signed by your prescriber.

• Ask your prescriber to submit your completed application by mail or fax.

If approved:

• You and your prescriber will receive a letter notifying you of your enrollment. If you're on Medicare Part D, your plan sponsor will also be notified.

• You'll be enrolled for assistance for up to 12 months or until the end of the calendar year if you're on Medicare Part D.

• Your medication will be shipped to your prescriber's office.

If you don’t qualify for the Patient Assistance Connection program, you’ll receive a letter notifying you of the reason for denial.

What are the best ways to lower the cost of Lantus?

Looking for ways to save money on Lantus? Here are six options: 

1. Download a free GoodRx coupon

GoodRx has partnered with Sanofi, the company that makes Lantus, to offer an exclusive discount to people who pay out of pocket without using insurance. Using the GoodRx discount, you can get a 30-day supply of Lantus for $35 at over 70,000 pharmacies nationwide. That’s nearly 93% off the average cash price of $237.87.

Follow these steps to download a free GoodRx coupon: 

• Visit www.goodrx.com or download the GoodRx app.

• Enter “Lantus” in the search bar. 

• Click on “Find the lowest prices.”

• Text, print, or email your coupon. 

• Show the coupon at your pharmacy when you fill your Lantus prescription. 

2. Look into manufacturer savings programs

Sanofi offers discount programs for people who are uninsured and those with commercial insurance. 

These manufacturer savings cards cannot be used if you have prescription coverage or receive reimbursement through government programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, Tricare, or state pharmaceutical programs. The table below shows an overview of the available manufacturer savings programs: 

These savings cards lower the cost of Lantus significantly. This means you could pay less for brand-name Lantus than for some biosimilars. Check to see if you’re eligible for any of these programs.

3. Enroll in patient assistance programs

Look into Sanofi’s Patient Assistance Connection program. If you meet the requirements, you may be able to receive Lantus for free through its offering.

4. Compare pharmacy prices

Costs for Lantus can differ between pharmacies, even in the same town or city. Shop around and compare to see which pharmacy charges less in your location. GoodRx allows you to check pharmacy prices for Lantus in your area so you can find the lowest cost.

5. Ask your healthcare team for samples

Your healthcare team may have free samples of Lantus. It doesn't hurt to ask!

6. Look into biosimilars 

Lantus is a biologic medication that contains the active ingredient insulin glargine. There’s no generic version of Lantus, but there are biosimilars that cost less if you don’t qualify for a savings program. For example, Rezvoglar — an FDA-approved Lantus biosimilar — has a retail price ranging from $110 to $114 for 5 prefilled pens. 

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Written by:

Maggie Aime, MSN, RN

Maggie's writing brings health topics to life for readers at any stage of life. With over 25 years in healthcare and a passion for education, she creates content that informs, inspires, and empowers.

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:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

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