So, recently, I was forced to switch insurance because of all the fun that comes along with getting insurance through the ACA. The new plan is probably better, except that it doesn’t cover my Lantus. I only have about 2 weeks of Novolog and Lantus left before my prescriptions completely run out.
To make things worse. I can’t get an endocrinologist appointment in this city without a referral from another doctor. The endo office is also completely booked until May.
Due to my schedule, I haven’t see a doctor in quite a while. I graduated from college, went overseas, lived in the middle of the wilderness for a while, and now work 2nd shift 7 days a week. Because of all this, I haven’t seen a doctor in about 8 months. I was stupid and let my prescriptions run out.
Now what? I need to get a new prescription, but I can’t afford to pay full price for Lantus. My insurance does cover Levemir, but I’m not sure how safe it would be to switch medications without seeing an endo about it.
I’ve spent the last 2 hours trying to get an appointment with a PCP, but I don’t think I can get an appointment in the next 2 weeks anywhere.
Does your insurance cover Basalgar? It’s a “generic” insulin glargine - should work similar to Lantus, if not identical. If you do need to switch to Levemir, my experience has been that the dosage was the same, but I had to split the dose into two to keep covered 24 hours a day.
I don’t know what they day about Tresiba, but lots of folks have had good luck with that option. in that case, you will have to tread carefully, though, dosing tends to be quite different (look on the forum - lots of talk about it.)
It looks like it does cover basalgar. I’m surprised I’ve never heard of it. I might still need to get a doctor’s appointment, but this is nice information to know.
You can get Lantus from Canada with a script but no insurance for $110 for a vial, or 5 pens for $164. They also have Basaglar for even cheaper than Lantus.
These are the costs without insurance, and it’s much cheaper than buying it straight up in the U.S. So if you get in a jam, keep them in mind.
Here is the link for Mark’s Marine Pharmacy in Canada. https://rxcanada4less.com/
I’ve used them. They are legit and prompt. Nothing screwy about them.
I don’t know any primary docs who can’t squeeze in an emergency visit. Online docs can also write the prescription, and the visit is immediate according to your schedule (24 hours) and only about $35. Or worst case, go to urgent care.
I’m certainly not giving medical advice or suggesting you do something without consulting your doctor, but I’ve used Levemir when not on the pump and it’s a very good basal. It’s more modern than Lantus and can be more flexible since its shorter durations means you can split it and take different doses for morning and night without overlap. The downside is the shorter duration means you almost certainly have to take it at morning and night to get 24 hr coverage whereas this isn’t always the case with Lantus.
I’ve been fighting the Novolog battle. They moved it to tier III and I cant afford it. I was able to get a discount card good for one year or more. I still plan to fight the whole idea, but, I at least found affordable insulin. Blessings as you search. Levemir just may work fine.
Getting a script for basalgar might be your best move until you can be seen by someone who can help with dosing a different long acting, if that’s what you’d prefer.
Try calling the office that you’ve scheduled an appointment at (or will be scheduling one at) and ask if they can do an emergency one month script for basalgar until you can be seen. If that doesn’t work, call your old provider, explain that you currently have a long wait time for an appointment, and ask for a one month script to get you through. One of the two should be willing to comply…usually providers won’t just leave you hanging when it comes to a drug as serious as insulin.
I switched to from Lantus to Basaglar when Lantus was dropped from the formulary. I didn’t notice any changes or dosage. You can probably just call and ask them to write you a new scrip for the Basaglar, as it’s basically the same insulin. Good luck.
@TimmyMac, I [EDITED PER FORUM RULES] a penfill or two if you need, PM me. Don’t think about it for a second.
I have thought a good bit about this because it can happen to anyone, and I wanted to be ready. My thoughts:
More than likely, Basaglar will work like Lantus: it does for most people. So switch to Basaglar right away since it’s cheaper if you can afford it and can’t get coverage, at least for one penfill or two until you can figure things out.
If Levemir is open to you and on your insurance formulary, that will work too. But, to make sure, split your dose morning/evening, since Levemir does not always last as long for some. In the worst case, you’ll spend a few days testing and figuring it out. it is no big deal for most people to try it out.
If you need analogs and have some money to pay for them in Canada (since it’s much cheaper there), do what @Eric2 wrote. Here is a reference link with all the reputable CA pharmacies that ship to the US I know, and their pricing (maybe a few $$ off since that was from 6 months ago):
But you must do it RIGHT AWAY, because it can take up to 2 weeks or so sometimes to arrive, since it must go through customs. I also recommend Marks’, like @Eric2
If, for some reason, the moment comes when you can’t afford analogs or you can’t get them (I am sure it won’t be a problem for you, you’ll find a way), here is how to get R and NPH without a prescription, totally legally (unless you live in Kentucky, I think):
It is really dangerous to stretch insulin to make it last: that’s how many people get into DKA, sometimes with tragic consequences. So don’t stretch your Lantus, and don’t hesitate in doing what you need to do, right now. If you need a hand getting an appointment somewhere, PM me, I’ll help out: I can be quite pushy when I need to be and I have no qualms about it.
Thank you so much. I might take your offer on the Lantus, but I just need one more day to make a few phone calls. I’m going to call my insurance company to see if there’s anything they can do, and I’m going to call the FNP I got my prescriptions from 8 months ago. Maybe she can get me a few refills and swap me to basaglar. It’s a longshot, but it might work.
If your insurance covers it you could try Toujeo, it is also an insulin glaring. My DE changed me to it from Levemir and I find it gives me greater control over overnight readings. It seems to work best if you take it at breakfast and feet supper, approximatelytwelve hours apart. At least it works that way for me. Remember also if you are ordering from a canadian pharmacy that the exchange on the dollars gives you a 15 percent discount.
I can only speak from personal experience and I am not a doctor, but I have changed basal insulin many times over the last 35 years and never needed an endo to tell me about it. I recently switched to Tresiba without even a consultation. I have to self finance this and in Canada you don’t need a script for insulin. After 6 months I recently changed to Levemir. The pharmacist was kind of alarmed but I lied and assured her I was worked bg with my endo. So far I have never found there is any ‘magic’ to basal insulin. They have different profiles so you have to know that, decide on a dosage frequency and to be prudent underdose. I am still ‘tuning’ my Levemir a unit at the time.
So I am not advising you to do this, but for me personally I just rarely get anything useful from an endo. Haven’t seen one in many years. If your insurance covers Levemir I would aim to change. It is very similar in profile to Lantus. Alternatively I would speak to them because the cost is almost identical so I’d imagine they would make an exception, at least temporarily.
I am type 1 and have been on Lantus for many years. Recently, my endo changed it to Tresiba. It has a longer half life and is cheaper!!! I encourage you to try it. Your PCP could write the Rx until you can see an endo.
