Insulin Costs: The Cheaper Routes That Exist
Last updated September 10, 2026.
Insulin prices have come down since 2023. Medicare caps insulin at $35 per month, and most private insurers now do the same. If you lack insurance, Walmart sells older insulin types for about $25, manufacturer patient assistance programs often provide insulin for free or very low cost, and biosimilar insulins cost 60 to 80 percent less than their brand equivalents.
The $35 cap: who gets it and when it started
Since January 2023, Medicare Part D plans must cap insulin copays at $35 per month for each covered insulin. This includes all insulin types: rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate, and long-acting. The cap applies at pharmacies and for mail order, and there is no deductible for insulin under Medicare.
Most private health plans adopted similar caps in 2023 and 2024. Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi each announced $35 caps for their insulins for people with commercial insurance. If your plan has not implemented a cap, call the number on your insurance card and ask whether insulin is subject to the $35 limit. Some state laws also require insulin copay caps.
If you are uninsured or have a high-deductible plan that does not yet apply the cap, the $35 price does not automatically apply. You will need to look at manufacturer savings programs or other options below.
Walmart insulin: older types at lower prices
Walmart and Sam's Club sell ReliOn brand insulin for about $25 per vial or $43 for a box of five FlexPens, no prescription savings card required. ReliOn insulins are older formulations made by Novo Nordisk: regular (short-acting), NPH (intermediate-acting), and 70/30 premixed.
These insulins work, but they require more careful timing around meals and have narrower windows compared to newer analog insulins like Humalog, Novolog, Lantus, or Tresiba. Many people manage their diabetes well on them. Others find the timing difficult or experience more blood sugar swings.
If you are uninsured or facing high costs, ReliOn insulin is a legitimate option. Talk to your doctor or a pharmacist about how to use these formulations safely. Switching insulin types requires adjustments in dose and schedule. Do not switch without medical guidance.
Biosimilar insulins: lower-cost versions of brand names
Biosimilar insulins are near-identical copies of brand-name insulins, approved by the FDA as just as safe and effective. They cost 60 to 80 percent less than the original brand. Examples include Semglee (biosimilar to Lantus), Rezvoglar (also for Lantus), and several others now available.
If your doctor prescribes a brand insulin, ask if a biosimilar exists and whether your pharmacy stocks it. Insurance plans often prefer biosimilars and may charge lower copays. If you pay cash, biosimilars can cut your out-of-pocket cost significantly.
Pharmacists can sometimes substitute a biosimilar automatically, depending on state law and the prescription. If the pharmacist says a cheaper biosimilar is available, it is safe to accept it. The FDA has reviewed these products and confirmed interchangeability for most.
Manufacturer patient assistance programs
Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi each run programs that provide insulin for free or at very low cost if you are uninsured or cannot afford your copay. Eligibility varies, but most programs serve people with household income up to 400 percent of the federal poverty level, which is about $60,000 for an individual or $125,000 for a family of four in 2024.
You apply online or by phone. You will need proof of income, a prescription, and sometimes a letter from your doctor. Approval can take a few weeks, but many programs offer short-term emergency supplies while you wait. Each manufacturer's website has a patient assistance or savings card section with instructions.
If you have insurance but face high out-of-pocket costs before your deductible is met, ask about copay savings cards. These are separate from patient assistance and can reduce your pharmacy bill to $35 or less per month. Copay cards usually do not work with government insurance like Medicare or Medicaid.
Community health centers and 340B pharmacies
Federally Qualified Health Centers provide care on a sliding fee scale based on income. Many have onsite or affiliated pharmacies that dispense insulin at reduced prices under the 340B drug pricing program. If you are uninsured or underinsured, a health center may be your lowest-cost option for both insulin and diabetes management.
Use the HRSA finder at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov to locate a center near you. Call ahead to confirm they have a pharmacy and ask about insulin pricing. Some centers also help patients apply for manufacturer assistance and state programs.
340B pharmacies exist outside health centers too. These are retail or hospital pharmacies that have access to discounted drug prices. Not all pass savings to patients, but some do. Ask your pharmacist if they participate in 340B and whether that lowers your insulin cost.
State programs and other safety nets
Some states have their own insulin assistance programs or emergency refill laws. Minnesota, Colorado, Illinois, and others allow pharmacists to dispense emergency insulin supplies if you run out and cannot immediately afford a refill. Rules vary: some allow 30 days, some allow less, and eligibility differs.
Call 211 or visit 211.org to ask about local diabetes assistance programs. Some areas have nonprofit programs that help cover insulin or connect you to low-cost supplies. Your county health department may also have information.
If you are in immediate crisis and cannot afford insulin, contact the manufacturer's emergency assistance line, go to a community health center, or visit an emergency room. Diabetic ketoacidosis is life-threatening. Hospitals must stabilize you regardless of ability to pay, and social workers there can help you find ongoing insulin access.
Common questions
Does Medicare cover insulin at $35 per month?
Yes. Since January 2023, Medicare Part D plans cap insulin copays at $35 per month for each covered insulin product. This applies to all insulin types and includes both pharmacy and mail-order prescriptions. There is no deductible for insulin under Medicare.
Can I buy insulin at Walmart without insurance?
Yes. Walmart and Sam's Club sell ReliOn brand insulin without a prescription savings card for about $25 per vial or $43 for a box of FlexPens. ReliOn insulins are older formulations (regular, NPH, and 70/30 mix) that require more careful meal timing than newer analogs. Talk to your doctor before switching insulin types.
What is a biosimilar insulin?
A biosimilar insulin is an FDA-approved copy of a brand-name insulin that works the same way and costs 60 to 80 percent less. Examples include Semglee and Rezvoglar, which are biosimilars of Lantus. Insurance plans often prefer biosimilars and charge lower copays. Pharmacists can substitute them for the brand version in most states.
How do I apply for free insulin from the manufacturer?
Visit the manufacturer's website (Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, or Sanofi) and look for patient assistance programs. You will need proof of income, a prescription, and sometimes a doctor's letter. Approval takes a few weeks, but many programs offer emergency supplies while you wait. Eligibility usually extends to people earning up to about $60,000 for an individual or $125,000 for a family of four.
Where can I get insulin if I have no insurance and no money right now?
Go to a Federally Qualified Health Center (find one at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov) or call the insulin manufacturer's patient assistance hotline for emergency help. If you are in diabetic crisis, go to an emergency room. Hospitals must stabilize you and can connect you with social workers who help arrange ongoing insulin access. You can also call 211 for local assistance programs.
Sources
Pymander is not a replacement for a physician and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.