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How to Get Cheap Diabetes Test Strips, Insulin and Supplies
Diabetes is a serious chronic illness that affects an estimated 37 million Americans.
It’s also an expensive condition to manage.
From insulin and test strips to blood glucose meters and needles, the out-of-pocket cost for diabetes supplies can add up to hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars each year.
To reduce those high prices, here are some tips on how to get the diabetes supplies you need for less.
If you have diabetes, it’s important to test your blood sugar at least two or three times a day.
All those test strips get pricy.
Sometimes purchasing test strips with your insurance can actually cost more, not less.
Manufacturers of blood glucose meters and test strips offer copay cards that can help lower your cost at the pharmacy.
You can also get a free Accu-Chek meter through the company’s free meter program.
Subscription services can also help you save money on diabetes test strips and glucose testing meters.
You don’t need a prescription or health insurance to subscribe, and the cost may be much lower than what you’d pay at the pharmacy.
A diabetes supply company called Diathrive lets you set up regular shipments of supplies or opt for a one-time purchase. There’s no commitment, and you can cancel at any time.
Here’s how some of the costs break down:
Diathrive doesn’t accept insurance, but you can use your HSA or FSA card to purchase supplies.
Not all diabetics take insulin. But those who do are familiar with its high price tag.
The cost of insulin has skyrocketed in recent years. A 2021 study from the Rand Corporation found that drug companies charge much more for insulin in the United States than in nearly three dozen other countries.
In fact, the average price of insulin in the U.S. was more than 10 times higher than the average for all the other countries combined.
The three major insulin manufacturers — Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi-Aventis — offer copay cards and patient assistance programs for diabetics with and without health insurance.
The easiest way to find out which programs you qualify for is to use an online matching website like GetInsulin.org or the Medicine Assistance Tool.
Once you enter your prescription, income, basic insurance information and location, these websites will show you detailed information about discounts and savings you may be eligible for.
The American Diabetes Association also provides extensive information about the four insulin manufacturers that offer immediate assistance and long-term resources.
You can also call the manufacturer of your insulin and inquire about savings programs.
Patient Assistance Program Phone Numbers By Manufacturer
Manufacturer assistance and rebate programs aren’t the only way to save money on insulin.
On March 1, 2023, drug manufacturer Eli Lilly slashed the cost of its most popular brand of insulin by 70%. The move is meant to “help Americans who may have difficulty navigating a complex healthcare system,” according to a company news release.
Here’s how the new prices shake out:
Finally, people with commercial insurance who use Lilly insulin can now receive their medication for no more than $35 at participating pharmacies, according to the company.
Authorized generic versions of insulin hit the market in 2019, offering consumers a low-cost, chemically identical alternative to name-brand insulin.
Generics cost about half the price, and pharmacies in most states can fill your prescription with an authorized generic even if your doctor prescribed the branded version.
Eli Lilly was the first insulin manufacturer to release an authorized generic — insulin lispro — the counterpart to Humalog. Since then, the Food and Drug Administration has approved at least four other generic versions of insulins from various manufacturers.
If your pharmacy doesn’t carry the low-cost alternative, ask your pharmacist to order it for you.
Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies carry Novo Nordisk’s insulin for $25 per vial. No prescription is required.
This insulin isn’t optimal for everyone. Novo Nordisk is an older form of insulin called synthetic human insulin, and using it requires precise timing and a strict diet.
In June 2021, Walmart released a fast-acting analog insulin called ReliOn NovoLog. But it’s more expensive, at $73 a vial, or $86 for a pack of five pens.
Many diabetics prefer the convenience of insulin pens, which combine the medication and syringe into one unit.
Certain insulin pens are disposable, while other pens can be replaced with a new cartridge of insulin as needed.
Unfortunately, new dispensers make insulin more expensive.
Retail prices of rapid-acting insulins can cost almost 40% more if you opt for pens instead of vials, according to GoodRx.
Your insurance may cover the cost of a pack of pens, but you’ll likely owe a copay out of pocket.
If you like the convenience of insulin pens, consider opting for the reuseable kind. According to the American Diabetes Association, reusable pens may be more expensive at first, but replacement cartridges for reusable pens are cheaper than those for disposable. This makes reusable pens about the same price over the long term.
Community clinics can provide low-cost or free insulin to people who meet income requirements. You can find a community clinic using this search tool from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
If you have health insurance, call your insurer and ask what its referred brand of insulin is. If your doctor thinks the other insulin can work for you, making the switch could save you money.
It’s also smart to talk to your doctor. He or she might suggest other ways to save money, such as providing free samples of glucose test strips or connecting you to local programs that provide financial support.
Some states have passed legislation to limit the out-of-pocket cost an insurer can charge.
These copay caps generally limit the cost of insulin to between $25 and $100 for a 30-day supply.
Colorado’s insulin copay cap was the first to go into effect in January 2020.
Today, nearly half of all states have insulin copay cap programs, including Illinois, Utah and West Virginia.
You can learn more about each state’s mandates that impact diabetes care here.
Saving money on diabetes supplies is great. But free is even better.
If you’re trying to find free insulin, the three major insulin manufacturers offer patient assistance programs. To qualify, you generally need to make less than 400% of the federal poverty level ($54,360 for an individual in 2023 and $111,000 for a family of four).
You’ll also need to fill out an application for the program. The free insulin you receive may be limited. The NovoCare Patient Assistance Program, for example, offers only a 90-day supply.
Many manufacturers of blood glucose meters offer free devices to entice you to start buying their test strips.
Nonprofits at the local level may also be able to provide vouchers or cash assistance for diabetes supplies, especially to those with low incomes and no insurance. You can call United Way’s 211 information line to find out what’s available in your area.
Here are three other ways to get free supplies.
You can get a FreeStyle meter for free by signing up for the FreeStyle Promise Program. Once you register, you can also receive discounts on test strips.
The discounted test strip program isn’t available to people enrolled in federal or state health insurance programs. You can use the FreeStyle Promise card to receive savings on test strips after paying the first $15. Actual discounts and savings vary, according to fine print on the company’s website.
You can apply to get a free Contour Next EZ meter. You must be privately insured and have a prescription from your doctor to qualify.
The meter is technically free, but you must purchase a minimum 50-count of Contour Next test strips at the pharmacy to redeem the offer.
Diabetes Will’s Way is a nonprofit program that provides two types of grants for families with children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
The first grant is for durable medical equipment, like insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors. The second is an emergency cash grant that helps families in crisis afford daily diabetic supplies like insulin, test strips and syringes.
There’s no application on the program’s website, so you will need to contact them directly for more details.
Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a senior writer for The Penny Hoarder. She focuses on retirement, investing, taxes and life insurance.
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