As the conversation about the price of insulin heated up over the past several months, Eli Lilly announced a partnership with Express Scripts to offer access to discounted prices on insulin via the technology platform Blink Health. This program went into effect on January 1, 2017. According to Lilly, people with diabetes may save up to 40 percent on their medication, depending on eligibility and desire to work outside their specific health plan. Blink Health’s platform will allow people with diabetes to use an online form to order their specific Lilly insulin dosage and amount and pick it up at a variety of nationwide pharmacies, including CVS, Walgreens, Target and RiteAid.
Diabetes educators can learn more about which of their patients may most benefit from this program and the ordering process by reviewing this brief program overview. Educators and persons with diabetes will need to understand how to compare the benefits available under a current insurance plan to this discount program. Importantly, those with government-reimbursed prescription claims are not eligible to participate.
All three insulin manufactures offer patient assistance programs for persons with diabetes who meet financial and other program criteria, and the American Diabetes Association provides a wealth of knowledge and resources through their Making Insulin Affordable website to help navigate the healthcare and insurance environment.
Patient Assistance Program Information