How to Help Your Patients Save Money on Basaglar: A Provider's Guide to Savings Programs

The list price of Basaglar (insulin glargine 100 units/mL, KwikPen) is approximately $326 to $327 per pack of five 3-mL pens — a 1-month supply for many patients. Without assistance, this cost can be prohibitive, leading to rationing, dose reduction, or skipping insulin entirely. Insulin rationing is associated with poor glycemic control, hospitalizations, and in severe cases, death.

As a prescriber, knowing the savings landscape for Basaglar enables you to proactively connect patients with programs that can dramatically reduce their costs — sometimes to $0. This guide covers every available program in 2026, who qualifies, and how to navigate each one.

Program 1: Lilly Insulin Value Savings Cards

Eli Lilly offers two Insulin Value Savings Cards for Basaglar. These are the most immediately accessible programs and should be the first thing you discuss with patients:

• Insulin Value Cash Savings Card: For uninsured patients. Caps Basaglar at $35/month. No income verification. No insurance required. Up to 14 uses per calendar year. Valid through December 31, 2026. Available at insulinaffordability.com.
• Insulin Value Commercial Savings Card: For commercially insured patients. Reduces cost to as little as $35/month. Maximum savings: $3,000 per fill and $16,000 per calendar year. Available at basaglar.com/savings-resources or 1-833-808-1234.

These cards do not require prescriber action. Patients can register online and present the card at the pharmacy. However, including information about these programs in after-visit summaries or patient education materials significantly increases uptake. Consider adding a QR code to your discharge paperwork linking to insulinaffordability.com.

Program 2: Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program (PAP)

For uninsured patients with income below certain thresholds, the Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program provides Basaglar at no cost. This is the most substantial program available for truly uninsured or underinsured patients.

• Eligibility: U.S. residency, uninsured or underinsured, income below approximately $40,000/year (single) or $60,000/year (couple). Income thresholds increase for larger households.
• Process: Patient and prescriber must both complete and sign the application. Income documentation is required. Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks.
• Contact: 1-800-545-5979 or visit Lilly's patient support resources online.

Best practice: for patients you know are uninsured at the time you prescribe Basaglar, initiate the PAP application at the point of prescribing. Patients in financial hardship often delay applying or don't know these programs exist. Your team starting the process with the patient dramatically improves access.

Program 3: Medicare Part D — Insulin Cap at $35/Month

Under 2026 Medicare rules, patients with a Part D (prescription drug) plan that covers Basaglar have their insulin cost capped at $35/month. This is significant for elderly patients with diabetes who are your most vulnerable population for cost-related insulin rationing.

Important caveats:

• Coverage depends on whether Basaglar is on the patient's specific Part D plan formulary.
• Medicare Part B does NOT cover Basaglar KwikPens (not used in an insulin pump).
• The Extra Help / Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program further reduces costs for eligible Medicare beneficiaries (typically <$21 per fill).

If a patient's plan doesn't cover Basaglar, consider prescribing an insulin that IS covered by their Part D plan. GoodRx coupons cannot be combined with Medicare, so the plan formulary is the primary lever.

Program 4: Medicaid Coverage

Medicaid generally covers Basaglar across most states. Copays vary by state program — many state Medicaid plans have $0 to low-dollar copays for insulin products. Check your state's preferred drug list (PDL) to confirm Basaglar is covered, or identify the preferred formulary alternative if it isn't.

For patients who may qualify for Medicaid but are not enrolled, consider using your practice's social worker or case manager to initiate enrollment. Many patients with diabetes and low income are eligible for Medicaid but have not applied.

Program 5: Pharmacy Discount Cards (GoodRx, SingleCare)

For patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or who find that the GoodRx price is lower than their insurance copay, pharmacy discount cards provide meaningful savings. SingleCare reports Basaglar KwikPen (per pen) pricing as low as $53.61. GoodRx offers comparable discounts at participating pharmacies.

Reminder for your team: GoodRx cannot be combined with Medicare. Patients must choose one or the other. Have your staff compare the two prices when counseling Medicare patients about options.

Program 6: 340B Pricing for Eligible Organizations

If your practice or affiliated health system is a 340B-covered entity (federally qualified health centers, Ryan White clinics, certain hospitals), you may be eligible to dispense Basaglar at significantly reduced 340B pricing to qualifying patients. This can dramatically lower out-of-pocket costs for underserved patients. Check with your 340B program coordinator for eligibility and implementation specifics.

90-Day Supplies: An Often-Overlooked Cost Reduction Tool

Many insurance plans (including commercial plans and some Medicaid plans) offer a lower per-dose cost for 90-day fills through mail-order pharmacy compared to 30-day retail fills. When appropriate clinically, writing 90-day supply prescriptions can reduce costs by 20–30% for insured patients. This also reduces refill frequency and reduces the chance of patients being caught without insulin during a localized stock gap.

Quick Reference: Basaglar Savings Programs Summary

• Uninsured, any income: Lilly Cash Savings Card ($35/month) or GoodRx/SingleCare (~$53/pen)
• Uninsured, low income: Lilly Cares Foundation PAP (free medication) or Medicaid enrollment
• Commercially insured: Lilly Commercial Savings Card ($35/month)
• Medicare: Part D (if Basaglar is covered) — $35/month cap; Extra Help for low-income beneficiaries
• Medicaid: Generally covered; state-specific copays (often $0–$3)
• 340B eligible practices: 340B pricing for qualifying patients

When patients can't find their Basaglar to fill, directing them to medfinder can help them locate a pharmacy with stock near them without calling each pharmacy themselves. For a full guide on helping patients find Basaglar in stock, see: How to help your patients find Basaglar in stock.