Prices for some diabetes medications, like Trulicity and Ozempic, have been skyrocketing, leading many consumers to face the difficult decision of whether they can afford their monthly medications. On the other hand, some manufacturers have reduced the price of certain insulins in 2024.
Studies show that high medication costs can lead to poor adherence, like skipping or rationing doses. When it comes to diabetes medications like insulin, poor adherence may lead to long-term complications, hospitalization or even death.
When the stakes of not using the medication are high, but so is the price, what should you do? Consider the suggestions below, and if you are still struggling, please reach out to Network Health for help.
Novolog and Humalog insulin products now have generic availability and may save you money. It is important to know your medication formulary, which is a medication list and how the medication is covered by the insurance, to know which product is covered best by your insurance. Network Health’s medication formulary can be found at Network Health | Home under “Look Up Medications.”
Medication |
Strength |
Quantity |
2023 Ingredient cost* |
2024 Ingredient cost* |
Basaglar Kwikpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$300 |
$315 |
Lantus SoloStar |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$400 |
$95 |
Levemir Flexpen (manufacture discontinuing) |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$450 |
$160 |
Tresiba Flextouch |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$500 |
$500 |
Novolog Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$550 |
$140 |
Novolog |
100 units/ml |
10 ml vial |
$280 |
$70 |
Insulin Aspart (generic Novolog) Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$260 |
$140 |
ReliOn Brand Novolog |
100 units/ml |
10 ml vial |
$73 |
$58 |
ReliOn Brand Novolog Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$86 |
$84 |
ReliOn Brand Novolog 70/30 Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$86 |
$84 |
Novolog 70/30 Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$550 |
$140 |
Insulin Aspart Protamine- Aspart 70/30 (generic Novolog 70/30) Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$260 |
$140 |
Novolin N |
100 units/ml |
10 ml vial |
$135 |
$50 |
Novolin N Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$260 |
$90 |
Novolin R |
100 units/ml |
10 ml vial |
$135 |
$50 |
Novolin R Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$260 |
$90 |
Novolin 70/30 |
100 units/ml |
10 ml vial |
$135 |
$70 |
Novolin 70/30 Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$260 |
$140 |
ReliOn Brand Novolin N |
100 units/ml |
10 ml vial |
$26 |
$26 |
ReliOn Brand Novolin N Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$43 |
$43 |
ReliOn Brand Novolin R |
100 units/ml |
10 ml vial |
$26 |
$26 |
ReliOn Brand Novolin R Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$43 |
$43 |
ReliOn Brand Novolin 70/30 |
100 units/ml |
10 ml vial |
$26 |
$26 |
ReliOn Brand Novolin 70/30 Flexpen |
100 units/ml |
5x3ml pens (one box) |
$43 |
$43 |
RxAssist - Patient Assistance Programs is a useful resource to find patient assistance programs. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) provides multiple avenues for patient assistance, including options for those that do not qualify for manufacture assistance.
Lilly Diabetes Solution Center at 1-833-808-1234 is a very helpful resource to request a voucher for free medication, such as Humulin both U100 and U500, Humalog, Trulicity and Basaglar. You can also request a Patient Assistance Programs application to get free medication for the rest of the year.
Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program is another option to get free medication for the rest of the year for those on Fiasp, Novolog products, Novolin products and Tresiba type insulins. Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program is also available for GLP-1 medications like Rybelsus, Victoza and Ozempic to get free medication for the rest of the year. You can call 1-866-310-7549 for an application and see if you may qualify.
For Medicare members, Soliqua is an option that contains two medications in one injection, a long acting insulin and a GLP-1 medication. Soliqua is a unique medication that qualifies under the Inflation Reduction Act as a $35 per month medication. If you are already on a long acting insulin and a GLP-1 medication, you may ask your doctor if Soliqua would be appropriate.
Medication
|
Dose Assumption
|
Ingredient Cost
|
Ozempic 2 mg/dose
|
2 mg into the skin once weekly
|
~$875 for 1 month supply
|
Rybelsus
|
14 mg by mouth once daily
|
~$835 for 1 month supply
|
Trulicity 4.5 mg/0.5 ml
|
4.5 mg into the skin once weekly
|
~$860 for 1 month supply
|
Victoza 18 mg/3 ml
|
1.8 mg into the skin once daily
|
~$1,040 for 1 month supply
|
Mounjaro 15 mg/0.5 ml
|
15 mg into the skin once weekly
|
~$1000 for 1 month supply
|
Your annual earned income determines the level of coverage. Assets, such as insurance policies, home property, etc. are not counted.
If you are a Network Health member and have other questions about medical costs and how your Network Health plan can support your diabetic needs, please reach out to us so we can help.
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