2014 Assistance Programs to Help Afford Insulin + Diabetic Supplies

Type 1 and LADA
1

Hello - Yesterday I posted (desperate plea) for MEDICAL advice on switching from Lantus to a cheaper insulin type, and since people seem to want to instead suggest "FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS" I thought I would start a new thread just for that.

Obviously I would never consider switching my insulin type until AFTER I've exhausted all possibilities to be able to afford it and obtain prescriptions, (Lantus requires a RX, but not all insulins do)-
Over the years (IDDM diabetic x 40 years) from time to time I have benefited from various programs,
and I hope others POST HERE, what's available now,
so others can benefit from this type of information.

Note: Without a physician/NP willing to fill out the paperwork and send the prescriptions and documentation required, no program is available (my current situation), and although the people working at those programs are usually very nice and compassionate, they still need to follow their procedures.

If you've ever had to switch from Lantus to another insulin type (for any reason) please post your advice (dosage changes, etc.) and experience here:
https://forum.tudiabetes.org/topics/alternatives-to-lantus?xg_source=msg_com_forum&id=583967%3ATopic%3A2614496&page=2#comments

Thanks!
BTW- I know patient assistance program details are posted all over this website; I'm starting a new thread for 2 reasons:
1). To politely send people here, when they gave "financial advice" instead of medical advice I need to switch off of (very expensive) Lantus 2). I hope this thread turns into a good summary of resources that are available now, since many drug assistance programs have changed or disappeared in recent years.

2

There's so many diabetic financial assistance programs available, especially for low income uninsured. I'm going to only post a few right now, and hope others will do the same.

Note: The majority of patient prescription assistance programs (in addition to other criteria) require that you first apply (and are denied) insurance coverage from Medicaid (your state's low income health insurance plan), so even if you do not believe you are eligible for Medicaid I suggest you apply anyway ASAP, since it often takes a long time to get the Medicaid denial letter, that most manufacturer prescription programs require.

1. Lilly TruAssist (was called Lilly Cares): http://www.lillytruassist.com/Pages/AboutLillyCares.aspx

Lilly Cares APPLICATION here:
http://www.lillytruassist.com/Documents/LillyCares_Application.pdf

Phone Contact: 1-855-LLY-TRUE (559-8783)

Offers Lilly brand medications for free.
Medications offered listed here: http://www.lillytruassist.com/Pages/AboutLillyCares.aspx

All varied criteria must be met to QUALIFY for Lilly (view details on their website), starting with HOUSEHOLD INCOME:
Examples:
Household size of 1= $35,000 (total yearly income), 2= $47,000 4 people= $71,000, etc.
(Income requirements are higher for Alaska + Hawaii).

Examples of medications offered includes:
Glucagon™, Humalog® (insulin lispro injection [rDNA origin]),
Humalog® Mix75/25™,Humalog® Mix50/50™, Humulin® 70/30, Humulin N®, Humulin R®,Humulin R® U-500 (Concentrated) and others.

Another one of my favorite programs over the years is from Abbott (Freestyle meter and strips) -I'll post details on that and some other programs later (when I have more time).

3

In the other thread "Alternatives to Lantus" a member posted this program
copy/paste:
"Reply by still_young_at_heart 17 hours ago

Sanofi - the maker of Lantus - has an patient assistance program which might drastically cut the cost. Here is the web address: http://www.sanofiservices.us/

Maurie"

I'm still trying to locate the specific (current) details on their website about program (E.G. Application and requirements) - Hopefully Maurie or myself or someone else will add more information on Sanofi/Lantus insulin program here later.

4

General information
RE: Links to PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS (RXAssist)and individual Prescription SAVINGS CARDS (RXRelief)...

There are a zillion RX savings cards available and I hope others post those here that have been beneficial.

RX ASSIST (Patient Assistance Program Center) is one site (of many) that lists a DIRECTORY with links to PATIENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS:
http://www.rxassist.org/pap-info

You also can search their database by drug name or company name:
http://www.rxassist.org/search

RX Assist page where you can print their card (they call it a coupon) is here:
http://www.rxassist.org/coupon/generic?type=index
I've never used this particular card, but their site says it's for generics for both those who have insurance and those who do not.

In my experience most savings cards do not discount insulin (or very minimal amount), since according to the pharmacists, most apply only to "generics", and there is no generic version of insulin.
(Usually most pharmacies, when asked, will offer suggestions for cards that offer best discounts on your specific medicines).

Most RX savings cards are free, be cautious of those that require you to pay a fee to obtain the card.
Nowadays it seems all chain pharmacies offer some sort of drug discount savings cards also (E.G. Stop & Shop, Rite-aid, CVS and many others)- The yearly fee usually around $10.00. If you go to the same pharmacy chain all the time their card would probably be worthwhile to have, but my personal experience regarding cash purchase of insulin has been the card cost more then it would deduct on a single refill. For other generic medications (B/P) the discount usually better/higher.

* Instead of (paying) to obtain individual cards from each chain, (I switch pharmacies often based on whoever is offering the lowest price), I most often use the free card offered by Rx Relief:
http://rxreliefcard.com/

This "Pharmacy Discount Card" is free and is called RXRelief PDR (Physicians' Desk Reference) aka "ScriptRelief"-
I've found it offers the best discounts on specific generic non-diabetic, pills I take.

(Amount discounted changes each refill and it's very good for some medications, but not others). Every pharmacy I've offered card to has accepted it - Long list of participating pharmacies is included on their website.
Although I don't know if this is true, the card says,
"Save up to 75% on 50,000 drugs at over 50,000 pharmacies".

Get details and print card here: http://rxreliefcard.com/
Or Call 24/7: 855-251-3690

5

We have a lot of the assistance programs on this page.

http://www.tudiabetes.org/notes/Diabetes_Patient_Assistance_Resources

6

Do you think I should instead post a link to there?

My purpose in starting this new thread was to discourage "financial" advice posts at thread "Switching To Lantus", which I do not need/want right now, and to direct that (good) info here,
so I could obtain the "medical" advice I urgently need on how to switch...

"If you've ever had to switch from Lantus to another insulin type (for any reason) please post your advice (dosage changes, etc.) and experience here":
https://forum.tudiabetes.org/topics/alternatives-to-lantus?xg_source=msg_com_forum&id=583967%3ATopic%3A2614496&page=2#comments

When a person (me) is in a desperate situation (again + again), SEEKING MEDICAL ADVICE, due to inability to afford (out-of-pocket) cost of insulin and office visits (to obtain prescriptions) + have very limited time (self-employed) it's very frustrating when people post suggestions to financial resources, which either I'm already aware of or have no way to obtain (cooperation from a providers office to submit application), etc.

I did mention in my post that this type of information is likely all over this website (already) - See 1st sentence.

Starting a NEW thread just seemed like an easy and POLITE way to DISCOURAGE financial advice (I do not need) from other thread.

Since I do not have the time (right now) to discuss and share the zillion financial resources/solutions I'm aware of (but tried anyway to get this thread started), I am very agreeable to squashing (ending) this thread, if you know of a specific page link I can direct people to, when necessary ???

P.S. I GIVE UP...

7

Alex, the discussion about alternatives to lantus isn’t even your thread. I’m not sure what you’re so upset about, but this is a discussion forum and people post comments here to other people’s questions and discuss things as a group… That’s how it works.

8

I've been a diabetic for almost 50 years, I WOULD NOT switch insulin!! If you don't see a doctor for the diabetes, I would suggest for that to be of utmost importance. There are doctors that would be willing to do the paperwork for you, they did for me! Insulin is a must and it is something you cannot just stop or change. I will be praying that you are able to find the help that you need!! God Bless You!!

9