Basaglar (insulin glargine) is a long-acting basal insulin made by Eli Lilly, commonly prescribed for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Without insurance, a box of Basaglar pens can cost hundreds of dollars a month — a real barrier for patients who need it daily just to manage their blood sugar safely.
For people who don't have adequate prescription drug coverage, Eli Lilly funds a separate charitable organization — the Lilly Cares Foundation — that provides Basaglar and dozens of other Lilly medications free of charge to patients who qualify financially. This is different from a manufacturer coupon or discount card. It's an income-based charity program with its own application, documentation requirements, and renewal cycle.
This guide walks through exactly who qualifies, what paperwork is needed, and how the process works from application to delivery. If you're also comparing insulin options more broadly, see our insulin savings programs guide or our full Eli Lilly Patient Assistance Program overview, which covers all four Lilly Cares medication groups.
Table of Contents
- What the Basaglar Patient Assistance Program Actually Covers
- Patient Assistance Program vs Insulin Value Program vs Insurance Coverage
- Income Eligibility Requirements
- Insurance Status Requirements
- Other Lilly Medications Covered Under the Same Program
- Required Documents
- How to Apply, Step by Step
- How Long Approval Takes
- How Medication Is Delivered
- Renewing Your Enrollment
- What to Do If You're Denied
- Common Mistakes That Delay a PAP Application
- Decision Tree: Which Program Should You Apply To?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What the Basaglar Patient Assistance Program Actually Covers
The Basaglar Patient Assistance Program is administered through the Lilly Cares Foundation, a nonprofit organization funded by Eli Lilly and Company. It exists specifically to help patients who would otherwise go without their insulin because they can't afford it and lack coverage that makes it affordable.
| Feature | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Cost to Patient | $0 for approved Basaglar prescriptions |
| Who Administers It | Lilly Cares Foundation, a nonprofit separate from Lilly's insurance-facing savings cards |
| Medication Group | Group 2 (shared with Humalog, Lyumjev, and Humulin) |
| Enrollment Period | 12 months (uninsured) or through the end of the calendar year (Medicare Part D) |
| Underlying Requirement | No adequate prescription coverage + household income at or below 400% FPL |
Patient Assistance Program vs Insulin Value Program vs Insurance Coverage
Patients frequently confuse Lilly's charity program with its commercial savings card. They serve very different purposes and have very different eligibility rules.
| Program | Who It's For | What It Does | Income Verification? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lilly Cares Patient Assistance Program | Uninsured or Medicare Part D patients meeting income limits | Provides Basaglar at no cost | Yes — required |
| Lilly Insulin Value Program | Anyone, insured or uninsured | Caps out-of-pocket cost at $35/month | No — no income check required |
| Standard Insurance Coverage | Insured patients whose plan covers Basaglar | Insurance pays its negotiated share | No |
Important: If you're already insured and Basaglar is simply expensive because of your deductible or coinsurance, the Insulin Value Program's $35/month cap is usually the faster, simpler option — no income documentation required. The Patient Assistance Program is reserved for people without adequate drug coverage at all.
Income Eligibility Requirements (2026)
Basaglar is a Group 2 medication under the Lilly Cares structure, which means the income ceiling is set at 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL) — higher than Group 1 medications like Trulicity, but lower than Group 3 and 4 non-diabetes drugs.
| Household Size | Basaglar (Group 2) — 400% FPL, Approximate Annual Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | ~$63,840 |
| 2 People | ~$86,280 |
| 3 People | ~$108,720 |
| 4 People | ~$131,160 |
Alaska and Hawaii thresholds are higher. Call Lilly Cares at 1-800-545-6962 for adjusted limits if you live in either state or have a household larger than four people. Income limits are based on your household's annual adjusted gross income, not gross wages alone.
Insurance Status Requirements
Beyond income, eligibility depends heavily on your current prescription drug coverage situation — or lack of one.
| Insurance Situation | Typically Eligible? |
|---|---|
| No health insurance at all | Usually Yes |
| Medicare Part D (no other prescription coverage) | Usually Yes |
| Medicare Part D spending 4%+ of gross income on prescriptions | Possibly Yes, case-by-case |
| Commercial insurance that covers Basaglar | Usually No — Insulin Value Program instead |
| Medicaid | Usually No — Medicaid already covers insulin |
| VA benefits | Usually No |
Other Lilly Medications Covered Under the Same Program
If you or a family member take more than one Lilly medication, it helps to know which income group each one falls under, since some Lilly Cares medications have lower or higher income ceilings than Basaglar.
| Medication Group | Income Limit | Example Medications |
|---|---|---|
| Group 1 | ≤300% FPL | Trulicity, Cialis, Emgality, Forteo, Reyvow |
| Group 2 | ≤400% FPL | Basaglar, Humalog, Lyumjev, Humulin |
| Groups 3 & 4 | ≤500% FPL | Select non-diabetes medications |
Note: Mounjaro, Zepbound, and Rezvoglar are not part of the Lilly Cares formulary as of 2026. If you're looking for assistance with one of those medications, ask your prescriber about alternative manufacturer resources or a manufacturer savings card instead.
Required Documents
Missing paperwork is the most common reason applications stall. Having everything ready before you submit avoids back-and-forth delays.
| Document | Who Needs It | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Completed patient section | Everyone | Confirms identity, household size, insurance status |
| Completed prescriber section, including signed prescription | Everyone | Confirms diagnosis and medical necessity for Basaglar |
| Proof of income | Everyone | Recent tax return, wage statement, or Social Security statement |
| Proof of insurance status | Everyone | Confirms lack of adequate prescription coverage |
| Medicare Part D confirmation | Medicare patients | Confirms plan enrollment and cost-sharing burden |
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
Download the application
Get the Lilly Cares application from lillycares.com, by calling 1-800-545-6962, or through your prescriber's office.
Complete the patient section
Fill in your personal information, household size, income details, and current insurance status.
Have your prescriber complete their section
Your provider signs the prescription for Basaglar and completes the Healthcare Provider Confirmations and Agreements section. Applications without this section are not processed.
Attach income documentation
Include a copy (not the original) of your most recent tax return, a wage statement, or another accepted proof-of-income document.
Submit the completed application
Fax the application to 1-844-431-6650 or mail it to Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program, PO Box 13185, La Jolla, CA 92039.
Await a decision
You and your healthcare provider will both receive a letter notifying you whether you've been approved or denied.
How Long Approval Takes
| Situation | Typical Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Complete application, all documents attached | A few weeks from receipt |
| Missing documents or incomplete sections | Delayed until resubmitted |
| Renewal application | Similar timeframe; submit before your current enrollment expires |
Tip: Bring the application form to your next doctor's appointment so your prescriber can complete and sign their section on the spot, then have the office fax it directly to Lilly Cares. This avoids a second trip or a delay waiting for a callback.
How Medication Is Delivered
Once approved, Basaglar is typically shipped either directly to your healthcare provider's office or, in some cases, to your home.
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Approval | You and your healthcare provider receive a written enrollment notice |
| Delivery Coordination | Lilly Cares contacts you to confirm delivery details if shipping to your home |
| Ongoing Refills | Coordinated with your provider's office throughout your enrollment period |
Renewing Your Enrollment
Lilly Cares enrollment is not indefinite. How long you're covered depends on your insurance status.
- Uninsured patients are enrolled for 12 months from approval, then must reapply with updated documentation.
- Medicare Part D patients are enrolled only through the end of the current calendar year, regardless of when they were approved, and must reapply each year.
- Start your renewal application before your current enrollment ends to avoid a gap in Basaglar access.
- Report any change in insurance status right away, since gaining adequate drug coverage may end your eligibility mid-cycle.
Because Medicare Part D enrollment resets every calendar year — not on a rolling 12-month basis — patients approved in, say, October may need to reapply again just a few months later for the next calendar year. Mark your renewal date accordingly.
What to Do If You're Denied
A denial isn't necessarily final. Most denials come down to income slightly above the limit, missing documentation, or an insurance situation the program considers adequate.
| Reason for Denial | What It Means | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Income slightly above 400% FPL | Household income exceeds the Group 2 limit | Explore the $35/month Insulin Value Program instead — no income check required |
| Missing documentation | Application was incomplete | Resubmit with all required documents attached |
| Existing adequate coverage | Program considers your current insurance sufficient | Use a manufacturer savings card instead, if eligible |
| Incomplete prescriber section | Signature or diagnosis information missing | Return to your prescriber's office to complete the form |
Alternative Assistance Options
| Resource | What It Offers |
|---|---|
| Lilly Insulin Value Program | $35/month cap on Basaglar, no income verification required |
| NeedyMeds | Directory of additional patient assistance and diagnosis-based grant programs |
| BenefitsCheckUp | Screening tool for federal and state assistance programs, including prescription help |
| State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs | State-run supplemental drug coverage for eligible residents |
Common Mistakes That Delay a PAP Application
- □ Prescriber section left blank or unsigned.
- □ Income documentation doesn't match household size listed.
- □ Applying while also enrolled in a program requiring PAP participation as a condition of coverage (an ineligible "alternative funding" arrangement).
- □ Sending original documents instead of copies — Lilly Cares does not return submitted paperwork.
- □ Assuming Medicare Part D enrollment lasts 12 months instead of ending at year-end.
- □ Renewal submitted after the enrollment period already lapsed.
- □ Contact information mismatched between patient and prescriber sections.
Nearly all of these issues are simple paperwork mismatches. Double-checking that every section is complete and consistent before submission avoids the most common delays.
Decision Tree: Which Program Should You Apply To?
Step 1: Do you have insurance that already covers Basaglar?
✔ Yes → You likely want the Insulin Value Program's $35/month cap, not the full Patient Assistance Program.
✖ No → Continue to Step 2.
Step 2: Is your household income at or below 400% FPL for your household size?
✔ Yes → Continue to Step 3.
✖ No → You likely won't qualify for the free PAP; use the Insulin Value Program instead, since it has no income limit.
Step 3: Do you have a valid Basaglar prescription and a provider willing to complete their portion of the application?
✔ Yes → You're likely a strong candidate for the Basaglar Patient Assistance Program — begin the application.
✖ No → Schedule an appointment first; the prescriber section is required before submission.
Bottom Line
The Basaglar Patient Assistance Program exists specifically for people who don't have adequate prescription drug coverage and meet Lilly Cares' income requirements — it's not a discount for insured patients. Getting approved comes down to a complete application: patient and prescriber sections filled out fully, current income documentation attached, and proof that you lack adequate coverage.
If you're denied or your income is too high, the Lilly Insulin Value Program's $35/month cap is usually the next best option, since it doesn't require income verification at all.
Ready to apply? Start directly with Lilly Cares.
Call 1-800-545-6962 or fill out the application online at the official Lilly Cares Foundation site.
Go to Lilly Cares → See Required DocumentsFrequently Asked Questions
Uninsured patients or those on Medicare Part D can apply for the Basaglar Patient Assistance Program through the Lilly Cares Foundation. Basaglar falls under Group 2 medications, which requires household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, along with a completed prescriber section and proof of income.
For 2026, a single-person household must have an annual adjusted gross income at or below approximately $63,840 (400% of the federal poverty level) to qualify for Basaglar through Lilly Cares. The limit increases with household size.
Generally, no. Lilly Cares is designed for patients who are uninsured or enrolled in Medicare Part D without adequate drug coverage. Patients with Medicaid or VA benefits are typically not eligible, since those programs already provide prescription drug coverage.
Yes, in many cases. Medicare Part D beneficiaries can qualify for Lilly Cares if their household income falls within the program's limits. Enrollment for Medicare Part D patients runs through the end of the current calendar year rather than a rolling 12-month period.
No. The Lilly Insulin Value Program is a commercial savings card that caps out-of-pocket costs at $35 per month for insured and uninsured patients, without income verification. Lilly Cares is a separate charitable foundation that provides free medication to patients who meet specific income requirements.
Lilly Cares typically reviews complete applications within a few weeks. Missing documentation, an incomplete prescriber section, or unclear income proof can delay a decision until the application is resubmitted with everything required.
Yes. Uninsured patients are typically enrolled for 12 months before needing to reapply. Medicare Part D patients are enrolled through the end of the current calendar year and must reapply for the following year.
Approved medication is typically shipped either to your healthcare provider's office or, in some cases, to your home. Lilly Cares will contact you to coordinate delivery once your application is approved.
If your household income exceeds the Group 2 threshold, you likely won't qualify for the free Patient Assistance Program. The Lilly Insulin Value Program, which caps Basaglar at $35 per month with no income check, is usually the better fit in that case.
Yes. The application has a required prescriber section that includes a signed prescription for Basaglar and confirmation of medical necessity. Applications submitted without this section completed will not be processed.
A change in insurance status is exactly the kind of situation the program is designed for. You can apply or reapply reflecting your new insurance and income situation as soon as the change takes effect.
How We Researched This Guide
References
- Lilly Cares Foundation. Patient Assistance Program Overview and Application Materials.
- Eli Lilly and Company. Basaglar Prescribing Information and Insulin Value Program.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Federal Poverty Level Guidelines.
- NeedyMeds. Patient Assistance Program Directory.
- BenefitsCheckUp. Prescription and Healthcare Assistance Screening.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare Part D Coverage Guidance.
Related Resources
Related Insulin & Patient Assistance Guides
- Eli Lilly Patient Assistance Program (All Medication Groups)
- Basaglar vs Lantus: Cost & Dosing Comparison
- Insulin Savings Programs Compared
- Manufacturer Savings Cards: How They Work
- Medicare Part D: Complete Coverage Guide
- Extra Help (LIS): Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy
- Drug Price Checker: Compare Costs Instantly
- GoodRx vs Inside Rx: Which Saves You More?
Editorial Policy: Refill Relay content is researched using publicly available manufacturer patient assistance program materials, federal poverty guidelines, and standard industry application practices. Every article is reviewed for clarity, accuracy and usefulness before publication.