How to Help Your Patients Save Money on Insulin, Regular, Human: A Provider's Guide to Savings Programs

Insulin affordability is one of the most common barriers to diabetes self-management that providers encounter in clinical practice. Despite recent policy changes and manufacturer programs that have significantly reduced costs, many patients — particularly uninsured and underinsured — still struggle to afford their regular human insulin. This guide gives you the comprehensive, current information you need to help your patients access every available savings resource for Humulin R and Novolin R.

Why Insulin Affordability Still Matters in 2026

While the policy landscape has improved significantly — with manufacturer programs capping costs at $35/month and the Inflation Reduction Act's Medicare insulin cap — gaps remain. Patients on commercial insurance may still face tier restrictions or prior authorization requirements. Uninsured patients must navigate manufacturer programs directly. Many patients are unaware that substantial help exists and are rationing insulin or going without.

Cost-driven non-adherence in insulin-dependent diabetes is directly linked to DKA hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and long-term complications. Proactive counseling about savings programs is a clinical intervention — not just an administrative nicety.

Program 1: Lilly Insulin Value Program (Humulin R)

This is the most important savings resource for your patients on Humulin R. The Lilly Insulin Value Program caps out-of-pocket costs at $35 per month for all Lilly insulins — regardless of insurance status.

Covers: Humulin R (U-100 and U-500 KwikPen)

Insurance required: No — explicitly available to uninsured patients

Maximum savings: $3,000 per fill; $16,000 per calendar year for commercial insurance holders

How to access: Download from insulinaffordability.com or call 1-833-808-1234. Card is printed and presented at the pharmacy.

Clinical tip: Consider printing the QR code or URL for insulinaffordability.com and including it on your prescription or clinic visit summary for Humulin R patients.

Program 2: Lilly Diabetes Solution Center (Free Insulin for Qualifying Patients)

For your lowest-income patients who cannot afford even $35/month, Eli Lilly's Diabetes Solution Center may provide free Humulin R insulin.

Eligibility: Income-based; uninsured or underinsured. Proof of household income required.

How to apply: Contact center at 1-833-808-1234. Your office staff or social worker can assist with the application.

Includes: Donated insulin for lower-income Americans and an unbranded Lilly insulin with a 50% lower list price

Program 3: Novo Nordisk My Insulin Rx (Novolin R)

For patients on Novolin R, Novo Nordisk's My Insulin Rx program reduces costs to $35 per prescription for up to 3 vials or 2 packs of pens.

Insurance required: No

Limit: Up to 35 mL per prescription

How to enroll: Register at novocare.com or call 1-888-910-0632

Program 4: Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program

Qualifying patients with limited income and no insurance can receive Novolin R at no cost through Novo Nordisk's Patient Assistance Program (PAP).

Requirements: Valid prescription, proof of income, documentation of lack of qualifying insurance

Apply at: novocare.com/psp/PAP.html or by calling 1-866-310-7549

Clinical tip: Your office staff or a social worker can often complete PAP applications on behalf of patients who are elderly, have literacy challenges, or are in crisis situations.

Program 5: Medicare Part D — $35/Month Insulin Cap

For Medicare patients, the Inflation Reduction Act capped insulin out-of-pocket costs at $35 per month per product for all Part D-covered insulins, effective January 2023. Humulin R and Novolin R are covered by most Medicare Part D plans.

If your Medicare patients report paying more than $35/month for insulin, this is likely a coverage/billing error. Have your office billing team confirm the medication is being billed under Part D (not Part B for certain devices), and advise patients to call their plan.

Using medfinder to Remove the Access Barrier

Savings programs don't help if patients can't find their medication at a nearby pharmacy. medfinder for providers gives you a tool to direct patients to — it calls local pharmacies to find which ones can fill their specific insulin prescription, and texts the results to the patient. This is particularly valuable after a formulation change (like the Humulin R 3 mL vial discontinuation) when patients may be confused about where to fill their updated prescription.

Identifying Patients Who Need Cost Counseling

Consider proactive cost screening for:

Patients who frequently miss refills or have gaps in their prescription history

Uninsured or recently uninsured patients

Patients whose A1C has unexpectedly worsened despite a previously stable regimen

Elderly patients on fixed incomes who may not volunteer that they're rationing insulin

Patients who have recently transitioned from a discontinued Humulin R formulation

Share the patient-facing version of this guide with your patients: How to Save Money on Insulin, Regular, Human in 2026.