Skip to main content
Grow in the Know / Diabetes / Handling the High Costs of Type 2 Diabetes: Suggestions for Savings

Handling the High Costs of Type 2 Diabetes: Suggestions for Savings

diabetes medication

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.

  1. Metformin and lifestyle modifications. Reducing calorie intake, losing excess weight and regularly exercising can help improve blood sugar control. Network Health offers support for lifestyle changes through health and wellness programs with wellness coaches. Visit com/wellness to learn more. In addition, Metformin is a low cost and high value first choice medication for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. Metformin is well known for benefits such as weight loss and potentially slowing disease progression. It’s important to consider that as blood sugars increase so do medications costs. Working hard to control blood sugars early on can benefit both overall health and medication costs.

 

  1. Shop around. Different pharmacies can have varying medication prices, so shop around to find the lowest cost options available. Some helpful websites include com, which can be used in conjunction with your Network Health benefit. Other options include SingleCare (for any type of insurance) and Medicare.gov (for Medicare members – start with “Find health & drug plans”).

 

  1. Store sponsored generics can save you money, especially on diabetic supplies. Ask your pharmacist about store sponsored insulin pen needles to save money. ReliOn over-the counter pen needles retail for about $9 for a 50-count box. Other low cost store brand diabetic testing supplies, like the ReliOn brand glucometer, test strips and lancets, can be purchased without using your Network Health benefit. However, some Network Health plans offer blood sugar testing supplies for little or no charge. Contact Network Health to discuss your diabetic supply coverage if you’re unsure of your benefits.

 

  1. Generic diabetes medications. The following is a list of lower cost generic oral diabetes medications you may ask your provider about.

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.”

 

  1. Be savvy when opting for lower-priced insulins. Some lower cost recommendations that you and your provider should discuss include the following.
Medication Cost Reduction of Common Insulins in 2024

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

* Ingredient cost estimated from claims data. Price subject to change.

 

  1. Find patient assistance programs. Check with the drug manufacturer about programs that may help with the medication cost, especially for the high cost Trulicity, Ozempic, Victoza, Ryblesus and other Glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) receptor agonists. Mounjaro is a new class of high cost medication, referred to as glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)/Glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) receptor agonists, that has a diagnosis for treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Patient Assistance Programs for Reducing the Cost of Diabetes Medication

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.

 

Cost of various GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 agonist products
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

 

  1. Use Medication Therapy Management. Medicare members may be eligible for a comprehensive medication review (CMR) with a Network Health pharmacist. The discussion gives you an opportunity to review your medications and identify potential cost-saving strategies. Even if you don’t qualify for this program, or you are on a commercial or health exchange plan, feel free to call 920-720-1287 or 888-665-1246, Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or email anytime at pharmacist@networkhealth.com to speak with a pharmacist for a medication review. Pharmacists are available Monday–Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

  1. Medicare members may be eligible for Extra Help to pay for prescription drug premiums and costs. To check qualifications for Extra Help, members can call 1-800-MEDICARE or 1-800-633-4227 (TTY 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

 

  1. Medicare members can apply for SeniorCare of Wisconsin. SeniorCare is a wonderful secondary coverage drug plan, complementary to your primary Network Health Medicare Advantage plan. Having both Network Health Medicare Advantage and then adding on Senior Care of Wisconsin is most beneficial to members with higher drug costs. To apply for SeniorCare of Wisconsin, you can call your county Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). To be eligible for SeniorCare, you must meet the following requirements.
    • Wisconsin resident
    • 65 years of age or older
    • $30 annual enrollment fee per person
 

Your annual earned income determines the level of coverage. Assets, such as insurance policies, home property, etc. are not counted.

  1. Contact your Local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC). The ADRC can be helpful resources not only for health care, but also for assisting with other needs such as transportation, nutrition and meal programs. Find a local center near you.

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.

Call Us at Network Health

 

Y0108_4944-01-0224_C

Related Posts

a woman with diabetes looking inside the fridge
woman getting an eye exam for diabetes
women exercising to help prevent diabetes
plate of fruit in a heart shape next to blood pressure log and glucose meter