Here Are 5 Tips to Save on Levemir

Levemir (insulin detemir) is a popular insulin used to treat Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It can cost well over $500 for a 30-day supply. 

Luckily, there are some ways to save regardless of your insurance status. 

What is Levemir for?

Levemir is a long-acting insulin used to improve blood sugar control in adults and children with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. 

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Long-acting insulin products, also known as basal insulins, include other well-known brands like:

• Basaglar (insulin glargine)

• Lantus (insulin glargine)

• Toujeo (insulin glargine)

• Tresiba (insulin degludec)

These insulins are absorbed slowly into the bloodstream and help you control blood sugar between meals and overnight.

5 ways to save on Levemir

Here are five ways you can save, whether you have insurance or not. 

Savings tip #1: Use your insurance

The best way to save on Levemir is to use your insurance. Levemir is covered by most insurance plans, but your plan may require that you submit a prior authorization form or complete step therapy before they will cover the medication. 

If you find that your insurance plan doesn’t cover Levemir, ask about completing a formulary exception process to get the medication covered. The exact process will depend on your insurance but often requires that you work with your healthcare provider to submit the necessary documents.

Savings tip #2: Pay as little as $99 for a monthly supply with a manufacturer savings program

Manufacturer Novo Nordisk offers a savings program to help insured patients afford Levemir.

Savings tip #3: Apply for a patient assistance program

Novo Nordisk also offers a patient assistance program if you’re uninsured or have Medicare.

Savings tip #4: Get a 90-day supply

Consider filling a 90-day supply of Levemir, which can reduce your overall cost and save you time and money. If you have insurance or Medicare, using your plan’s mail-order pharmacy may offer lower prices. 

Keep in mind that you will need a new prescription from your healthcare provider to switch from 30-day to 90-day fills of Levemir. 

Savings tip #5: Talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives

There are a couple of alternatives to Levemir that you may want to talk with your healthcare provider about. Lantus and its more affordable biosimilar, Basaglar, are both long-acting insulins used for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. They provide the same units of insulin per milliliter as Levemir. Toujeo, another long-acting insulin, provides three times as many units of insulin per milliliter as Levemir.

Although the retail prices of these alternatives may not be significantly less than Levemir, it's important to consider your insurance coverage. Depending on your plan, some of these alternatives may be worth it. To determine what’s covered, ask your insurer.

When will a generic Levemir be available?

Unfortunately, maybe never. Insulins are biologic drugs, which means they are made out of living cells. That makes it nearly impossible for manufacturers to create an exact replica of the drug. But  it’s possible for a biosimilar, a very similar version of a biologic drug, to become available.

Because of the high cost of producing insulin, biosimilar versions like Basaglar are often still hundreds of dollars. Biosimilars are generally sold for only about 15% to 35% less than the original drug, compared to standard generics, which are sold anywhere between 30% and 85% less, depending on the number of generic competitors.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Tori Marsh, MPH

Tori Marsh is GoodRx’s resident expert on prescription drug pricing, prescribing trends, and drug savings. She oversees the GoodRx drug database, ensuring that all drug information is accurate and up to date.

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.

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