Still, some people with diabetes, as well as some doctors, doubt that the benefits of that greater availability outweigh the risks, especially for patients who switch from one type of insulin to another without telling their doctor. Kliff has followed and written about the expanding business of diabetes for years. When asked about safety concerns, the FDA told NPR that the agency welcomes more research into the safety of over-the-counter insulin.
One state does require prescriptions for all insulin. Kevin Burke , a health officer for Clark County, Ind. He asked them if they had changed their diet, lost weight, altered their workout routines.
They had not. Over time, taking the wrong dosages destroys your body, Burke says. Poorly managed diabetes is the cause of a host of complications, such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, nerve damage, loss of eyesight and stroke. Burke says he took his concerns to the American Medical Association. Todd Hobbs is chief medical officer of Novo Nordisk in North America, which makes Novolin, one of the two versions of insulin sold over the counter.
His company partners with Wal-Mart to sell its version under the brand name ReliOn. Wal-Mart declined to be interviewed for this story. The prescription versions are better and safer, he agrees, because they make it easier for patients to avoid wild fluctuations in blood sugar. Insulin manufacturers offer pharmaceutical assistance programs to help people afford their insulin. Each major manufacturer has its own program. The income requirements depend on your state and the specific Eli Lilly insulin your doctor has prescribed.
The Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program assists Medicare enrollees and people with no insurance who have an income at or below percent of the federal poverty level. The program provides up to 90 days of free Novo Nordisk insulin to participants. It also offers discounts on insulin once the 90 days are up. Exact prices depend on the specific Novo Nordisk insulin your doctor has prescribed.
The Sanofi Patient Assistance Connection provides free Sanofi insulin products to people with an income at or below percent of the federal poverty level. The program is open to Medicare Part D enrollees and people without insurance. Manufacturers also offer copay savings cards. These cards can help reduce the amount you pay out of pocket for your insulin. Unlike patient assistance programs, copay savings cards are available regardless of your income.
Many programs that provide free or low-cost insulin are only available to people who use specific insulins , fall within income guidelines, or live in certain areas. You can find the programs that best fit your situation by using one of the matching services below. NeedyMeds is a database of healthcare information and resources. You can search by your location, condition, and more. Its list of diabetes resources can help you find low-cost or free insulin.
RxAssist can match you with patient assistance programs that can help you get free or low-cost insulin. You can search for your insulin prescription to get started. RxHope works just like RxAssist. You can enter your insulin prescription and get matched with patient assistance programs. You can apply for any program you find directly from the RxHope website.
They can reduce your cost significantly. You can then present a coupon at the pharmacy by using your smartphone or by printing it out. Most coupon sites also offer discount cards that you can present every time you pick up a prescription. Some states offer pharmaceutical assistance programs.
These programs help people with limited incomes afford any prescriptions they take, including insulin. Not all states offer these programs, though. In states with programs, the eligibility requirements vary by state.
You can check for a program in your state on the Medicare website. There are multiple efforts underway to reduce the cost of insulin. Often these programs prioritize their efforts towards those that are in most need.
Some pharmacies offer prescription discount cards or discount programs , which can reduce the cost of prescription drugs like insulin. Each discount program or the discount card has different details, conditions, and prices, depending on the drug and the pharmacy offering the program.
If you qualify, then the program may be able to lower the price you pay for your insulin or provide financing options. This is a center that provides medical care for anyone with or without insurance. This will give you the benefit of a sliding scale payment option, which may reduce your insulin cost to some extent.
However, the cost to use this center is tied to your income. Some pharmaceutical companies offer a reduction in insulin cost through certain drug assistant programs, also known as patient assistance programs PAP. Every program has different requirements and enrollment criteria. We hope this has provided you with some real options and alternatives for getting insulin without insurance.
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