Lilly Announces $35 Monthly Cap on Insulin in Response to COVID-19
By Karena Yan
By Karena Yan
With unemployment rising, Lilly’s Insulin Value Program limits insulin prescription costs to $35 a month for people who are uninsured or who have commercial insurance
Updated on January 6, 2021
Lilly recently announced its new Insulin Value Program, which allows anyone who has commercial insurance or no insurance to fill his or her monthly prescription of Lilly insulin for $35. This program covers most Lilly insulins, including Humalog. The $35 cap applies regardless of number of insulin doses required.
While the program was originally established as a coronavirus financial relief effort, Lilly announced on on September 10 that it will remain a permanent offering. If you are currently using the Lilly Insulin Value Program savings card, you will need to renew your card for 2021. To renew your card, or find out more about the program, call the Lilly Diabetes Solution Center at 833-808-1234 or visit www.insulinaffordability.com.
Effective immediately, consumers can access this program by visiting www.insulinaffordability.com and printing or downloading a PDF of the co-pay card to their mobile device. Alternatively, people can also call Lilly’s Diabetes Solution Center at 833-808-1234, open 8 am to 8 pm (EDT) Monday through Friday, where representatives will help you get a co-pay card, either through email or US mail, which can be used at the pharmacy. People who already have a Lilly co-pay card do not need to take any action – active cards have automatically been reset to a $35 co-pay.
Lilly representatives at the Solution Center can also help you find other options. This is helpful for people who are ineligible for the Insulin Value Program, including those who are on government insurance (Medicaid, Medicare, etc.). Some of the alternative cost-saving options are:
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Free insulin for people with low income, or no income at all, that has been donated by Lilly to non-profit organizations. People with an urgent need for insulin and nowhere else to turn can contact the Solution Center for an immediate supply.
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Half-priced generic version of Humalog (Insulin Lispro).
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A separate co-pay card for Humulin R U-500 (insulin human injection, 500 units/mL) that allows for a monthly prescription fill for as little as $25 for people with commercial insurance.
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A separate co-pay card for Baqsimi (glucagon) nasal powder that allows people with commercial insurance to pay as little as $25 for up to two devices.
In addition, people enrolled in participating Medicare Part D plans will be able to access Lilly insulin for $35 per monthly prescription starting January, 2021.
The three insulin manufacturers – Lilly, Sanofi, and Novo Nordisk – have patient assistance programs for people who are uninsured and meet income eligibility requirements:
Sanofi and Novo Nordisk also have their own insulin savings programs. Each caps a monthly supply of their insulin at $99, though their eligibility criteria vary:
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Novo Nordisk $99 Cash Card Program
For a full list of insulin access programs, please see our Paying for Insulin resource page.
For more information on insulin during COVID-19, see our article on Getting Insulin During COVID-19
