1 in 4 Americans have rationed insulin due to prohibitively expensive costs according to Beyond Type 1‘s helpful website.
If that’s you, you’re far from alone – and it’s not your fault.
If you need insulin now!
If you are in emergency need of insulin right now, always go to the emergency room. The below resources address those struggling to afford monthly costs (CLICK HERE FOR FULL LIST).
Manufacturer Discount Programs
- If you take Lilly insulin (Humalog, Basaglar): the Lilly Diabetes Solutions Call Center Helpline provides personalized assistance for finding your best cost option (as long as you take Lilly insulin). Call 833-808-1234 9am to 8pm ET Monday to Friday. If you have high-deductible health insurance or are uninsured, you may be eligible for Lilly insulin at 40% discounted through BlinkHealth but this is not available if you are insured through Medicaid or Medicare. Additionally, if you are uninsured or have Medicare Part D, and meet certain income parameters you may be eligible for free insulin through LillyCares.
- If you take Novo Nordisk insulin (Fiasp, NovoLog, NovoRapid, Levemir, Triseba): Patient Assistance Program provides free insulin to those who qualify, which is limited to those with no private insurance and who do not qualify for federal insurance programs and who are at or below 400% of the federal poverty level – with a few exceptions.
The nonprofit organization, Beyond Type 1, offers these solutions if you need help getting insurance coverage (CLICK HERE FOR FULL LIST).
If insurance is not an option through your employer or you are unemployed, head to Healthcare.gov. From there you can explore health insurance and assistance options based on your state, income, and specific circumstances.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has a publication called “Financial Help for Diabetes Care” explaining programs which may provide additional coverage for medical expenses for a person with diabetes. View online here.
Insure Kids Now! – Every state in the nation has a health insurance program for people under 18. This website is offered by the US Health and Human Services Department to help navigate getting insurance – or call 877-Kids-Now
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We’re talking about the skyrocketing cost of insulin on Diabetes Late Nite with T1International’s US Advocacy Manager, Allison Bailey, Mary Ann Hodorowicz RD, MBA, CDE, Jessica Clark and Patricia Addie-Gentle RN, CDE, and music from Destiny’s Child.
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