Jason Kwan, PharmD
Population Health Pharmacist, Arizona Care Network
Updated March 2021
Whether you were diagnosed at a young age or you have recently learned you have diabetes, you know how overwhelming it can be to hear your diagnosis confirmed by your doctor. You may be concerned about the responsibility of managing your diabetes and wondering how it’s going to affect your day to day life, and then you find out how expensive the medication can be. Sigh. How am I going to pay for this?
We’ve compiled our top money-saving tips in hopes of relieving this common stressor for many people living with diabetes. Be sure to talk to your doctor before making any changes to your medication.
1) Use Generic Medications
Generic medications are typically less expensive and equally as effective as brand name drugs. If you find yourself spending a lot of money for your 30-day supply, ask your doctor if there is any chance you could switch to a generic version of your medication to save money.
2) Ask Your Doctor to Prescribe a 90-Day Supply
Most insurance benefits now have an option to buy in bulk, which can decrease the cost of your medication. Always talk to your doctor first to see if this is the right choice for you.
3) Shop Around
Ensure you are receiving the best value by comparing your medication cost at the stores listed below. You can also call your local pharmacy to ask for the cash price of a medication. The cash price can sometimes cost less than your medication’s copay.
- Costco: Did you know you can fill prescriptions at their pharmacy even if you don’t have a Costco membership? Costco provides cash prices on most of their medications in their online search tool.
- Walmart: A select list of diabetes medications are $4 for a 30-day supply and $10 for a 90-day supply. See if your medications are on their list.
- Walgreens: Enroll in their prescription savings program for medication discounts. The program costs $20 for an individual or $35 for a family per year. 30-day supplies may range from $5-$15 and 90-day supplies range from $10-$30. See if your medications are on their list before making the annual commitment.
- Sam’s Club: If you are a Sam’s Plus member, extra discounts are available on select medications. More than 200 prescriptions are $4 and more than 400 prescriptions are $10 for 30-day supplies.
4) Use Medication Savings Tools
Check out the online prescription savings tools below to see if there are coupons for your medication!
- GoodRx: A free, online tool that allows you to search for your medication and receive coupons, which are good at most retail pharmacies.
- Blink Health: A similar online tool, Blink Health is free to use and provides discounts at many pharmacies.
5) Patient Assistance Programs
Many pharmaceutical companies offer financial assistance programs for people who have trouble affording their medications and supplies. Each program has specific criteria that may vary but must be satisfied for you to be eligible for their financial assistance. The directories listed below are a great starting point for anyone looking for financial assistance.
- American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Prescription Savings Directory: Provides direct links to drug assistance programs related to diabetes medications.
- BenefitsCheckUp: A service of the National Council on Aging, this tool has information on benefits programs for seniors with limited income and resources. You can search for programs that help you pay for prescription drugs as well as healthcare, rent, utilities, and other needs.
- NeedyMeds: A national non-profit that connects you to programs that will help you with the cost of medications and other healthcare costs.
- Medication Assistance Tool: A tool that evaluates your background to identify which patient assistance programs you may qualify for.
No matter your situation, we hope you can make use of at least one of these resources to save money on your diabetes medication. Living with diabetes can be extremely overwhelming and we hope reducing money spent on medication can take a little stress off your shoulders.
If your primary care provider is part of Arizona Care Network and you are having difficulties managing your medications, you may be eligible for care coordination services. Contact ACN’s concierge line at 602.406.7226 or email members@azcarenetwork.org to learn more.
