Optum to Offer $35 Insulin to Those without Insurance

Optum, a UnitedHealth Group, is working with Sanofi to offer a 30-day supply of some insulins for $35 to people with diabetes who do not have insurance.

“The need for affordable insulin is urgent, especially for uninsured populations,” Heather Cianfrocco, chief executive officer of Optum Rx, said in a press release. “By working with Sanofi, we will improve access and lower costs for people who need this life-saving medication.”

Patients can access a saving card on the Optum Store, which they can take to their pharmacy to receive the $35 price. Insulins that are part of the program include:

• Admelog (insulin lispro injection) 100 Units/mL

• Toujeo (insulin glargine injection) 300 Units/mL

• Toujeo Max (insulin glargine injection) 300 Units/mL

• Lantus (insulin glargine injection) 100 Units/mL

• Insulin Glargine 100 Units/mL

• Apidra (insulin glulisine injection) 100 units/mL

These are the same insulins that Sanofi is offering for uninsured patients through its Insulins Valyou Savings Program. Effective July 1, 2022, Sanofi lowered the out-of-pocket cost of these insulins to $35 for a 30-day supply.

“This collaboration supports Sanofi’s ambition to ensure every person in the U.S. living with diabetes can access and afford the insulin they need,” Adam Gluck, senior vice president of U.S. corporate affairs, Sanofi, said in a press release. “This collaboration builds on the many programs, like the Insulins Valyou Savings Program, we’ve implemented to help to deliver on our goal to reduce patient out-of-pocket costs by working with Optum to create yet another access point for affordable insulin.”

Related: Sanofi Lowers Insulin Price

For patients with insurance, UnitedHealthcare announced in July 2022 that it will eliminate out-of-pocket costs for some preferred prescription drugs, including some insulins. Beginning in January 2023, patients in standard fully-insured group plans will now have a $0 copay for some short and long-acting insulins, as well as several drugs used to treat emergencies such as severe allergic reactions, hypoglycemia, opioid overdoses, and acute asthma attacks.

Related: UnitedHealthcare to End Copays for Some Drugs