Basaglar Monthly Cost With Savings Card
$35/month
KwikPen & Tempo Pen, both strengths
Basaglar (insulin glargine injection) is Lilly's long-acting basal insulin and the first FDA-approved biosimilar-type follow-on to Lantus. It's typically prescribed once daily to manage blood sugar in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and for most patients it runs alongside a rapid-acting insulin like Humalog at mealtimes.
Like Lilly's other insulins, Basaglar's real-world price has come down sharply from what it was a few years ago. But the name attached to the discount has shifted more than once, and patients often land on outdated pages describing a "Basaglar Savings Card" that no longer works the way it's described. Today, the benefit lives inside a broader program covering several Lilly insulins together.
This guide walks through exactly which card applies to your situation, how the KwikPen and Tempo Pen are treated, what the enrollment process looks like, and what backup options exist if you don't qualify for the standard $35 cap.
Table of Contents
- What the Basaglar Savings Card Actually Is Today
- Is There a Basaglar Coupon?
- Does It Cover the Basaglar KwikPen and Tempo Pen?
- Who Qualifies for the $35 Cap
- Income Limits: Savings Card vs. Free Insulin Program
- Step-by-Step: How to Enroll
- Decision Tree: Which Program Should You Use?
- Approval Timelines: What to Expect
- Renewing Your Savings Card Each Year
- Basaglar List Price vs. Out-of-Pocket Cost
- If You Don't Qualify: Free Insulin Options
- Pros and Cons of the Lilly Insulin Value Program
- Common Mistakes That Cost Patients Money
- Real Patient Scenarios
- Frequently Asked Questions
What the Basaglar Savings Card Actually Is Today
Eli Lilly consolidated its insulin copay assistance programs into the Lilly Insulin Value Program (LIVP). Basaglar is one of the insulins covered under this umbrella, alongside Humalog, Humulin, Lyumjev, and generic insulin lispro, as described on Lilly's official Insulin Value Program page. The card works the same way regardless of which of those products you're prescribed: it caps your monthly out-of-pocket cost at $35 for a 30-day fill.
If a pharmacist, old paperwork, or a third-party coupon site refers to a standalone "Basaglar Savings Card," they're almost always talking about this same program. There isn't a separate, product-specific card just for Basaglar anymore — it's folded into the broader Insulin Value Program terms.
| Program Detail | Current Terms |
|---|---|
| Monthly cost cap | $35 per Lilly insulin, per fill |
| Fills allowed per year | Up to 14 per calendar year, per insulin |
| Insulins covered | Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Junior KwikPen, insulin lispro (generic), Lyumjev, Humulin |
| How to access (insured) | Usually applied automatically at participating pharmacies when the plan doesn't fully cover Basaglar |
| How to access (uninsured) | Download card at insulinaffordability.com or call 1-833-808-1234 |
| Card expiration | Published annually; current card expires 12/31/2026 |
Note on naming: Some pharmacy systems and old blog posts still call this the "Basaglar Patient Savings Card" or "Basaglar Copay Card." These all refer to the same Lilly Insulin Value Program benefit described here.
Is There a Basaglar Coupon?
There is no separate manufacturer "coupon" for Basaglar. Eli Lilly does not issue traditional printable coupons for its insulins. Instead, the Lilly Insulin Value Program functions as a Basaglar coupon at the pharmacy — it automatically reduces your out-of-pocket cost to $35 or less per month. Third-party sites advertising a "Basaglar coupon" are typically referring to this same manufacturer program, or to independent pharmacy discount cards that cannot be stacked with the Lilly card on the same transaction.
Bottom line: When patients search for a "Basaglar coupon," what they actually need is the Lilly Insulin Value Program savings card. It works like a coupon at checkout, but it's manufacturer-backed and usually beats third-party discount codes for a 30-day supply.
Does It Cover the Basaglar KwikPen and Tempo Pen?
Yes. The $35 cap applies to the standard Basaglar KwikPen (a carton of five 3 mL pens) and to the Basaglar Tempo Pen, Lilly's connected insulin pen that pairs with a companion app to track doses. Both are manufactured by Lilly and covered under identical program terms.
Tempo Pen users: Eli Lilly has announced it will discontinue the Tempo Personalized Diabetes Management Platform — including the Tempo Pen, Tempo Smart Button, and companion app — by the end of 2026. If you use a Tempo Pen for Basaglar, ask your prescriber or pharmacist about transitioning to the standard Basaglar KwikPen before the platform is phased out, so your savings card coverage isn't interrupted.
| Basaglar Product | Covered by Savings Program? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basaglar KwikPen (5-pack) | Yes | Standard prefilled pen, U-100 |
| Basaglar Tempo Pen | Yes | Connected pen; platform being discontinued by end of 2026 |
| Basaglar vial | Not currently marketed | Basaglar is distributed as a pen, not a vial, in the US |
Who Qualifies for the $35 Cap
| Insurance Situation | Eligible? | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial insurance, plan doesn't cover Basaglar | Yes | Card applies automatically or is added at pharmacy |
| Commercial insurance, plan covers Basaglar | Yes, if copay exceeds $35 | Card reduces your copay down to $35 |
| Uninsured | Yes | Download separate card and present at pharmacy |
| Medicare Part D | Different program applies | Insulin copay cap is set by Medicare rules, not this card |
| Medicaid | Not eligible for this card | State Medicaid formulary rules apply instead |
| TRICARE / other government insurance | Not eligible | Excluded under program terms |
Medicare patients: You don't use the commercial Insulin Value Program card. Under current federal rules tied to the Inflation Reduction Act, out-of-pocket insulin costs are separately capped at $35 per month per product for Medicare Part D enrollees — this applies automatically at the pharmacy register. See our Medicare Part D insulin coverage guide for details.
Income Limits: Savings Card vs. Free Insulin Program
It's easy to confuse the $35 savings card with Lilly's separate free-insulin program — they have very different income rules, because one is a copay cap and the other is full financial assistance.
| Program | Income Requirement | Insurance Requirement | What You Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lilly Insulin Value Program (savings card) | None | Commercial insurance or uninsured | Up to $35/month |
| Lilly Cares Foundation PAP | Generally at or below 400% of Federal Poverty Level | Uninsured or underinsured | $0 |
| Medicare Part D insulin cap | None | Enrolled in Medicare Part D | Up to $35/month |
In practice, this means most patients should try the free Insulin Value Program card first — there's no income test, so it's faster and simpler. Only patients who remain unable to afford even $35 a month, or who don't have insurance and are on a very tight income, need to go through the longer Lilly Cares application described further down.
Step-by-Step: How to Enroll
Check your insurance status first
If you have commercial insurance, ask your pharmacist whether the Basaglar copay is already at or below $35. If it's higher, tell them you want the Lilly Insulin Value Program applied.
Uninsured? Get your card
Visit insulinaffordability.com or call 1-833-808-1234 to download or request your Insulin Value Program card before your pharmacy visit.
Bring your card and prescription to the pharmacy
Present the card alongside your Basaglar prescription at any participating pharmacy, including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and most independents.
Confirm the price before you pay
Ask the pharmacist to confirm your out-of-pocket cost reflects the $35 cap before completing the transaction. If it doesn't process, ask them to run it as a manufacturer copay card for insulin glargine.
Reapply or reverify annually
Lilly republishes program terms and a new expiration date most years. Check current terms each January or before your next refill if it's been a while.
Decision Tree: Which Program Should You Use?
What's your coverage?
Start here to route to the right program
Lilly Insulin Value Program
$35/month cap, up to 14 fills/year
Plan-Specific Insulin Cap
Check your Part D plan or state Medicaid rules
Still can't afford $35?
Apply to the Lilly Cares Foundation for free Basaglar
Approval Timelines: What to Expect
| Program | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Insulin Value Program card (commercial) | Immediate at pharmacy counter |
| Insulin Value Program card (uninsured, downloaded) | Same day — instant download or activation by phone |
| Lilly Cares Foundation PAP | Typically 2–4 weeks after a complete application, including prescriber signature |
| Prior authorization (if your plan requires it for Basaglar) | Usually 3–14 business days, longer if appealed |
If your Basaglar prescription is stuck in a prior authorization review, our guide to navigating prior authorization for diabetes medications covers what documentation typically speeds up approval and how to appeal a denial.
Renewing Your Savings Card Each Year
The current Basaglar-eligible Insulin Value Program card is set to expire on 12/31/2026, per Lilly's official terms. Lilly has historically renewed and republished the program with new terms shortly before or after each expiration date, but patients shouldn't assume automatic continuation.
- Set a reminder in December to check for updated program terms at insulins.lilly.com.
- If your pharmacy suddenly stops applying the discount, ask whether a new card version is required.
- Uninsured patients using a printed or saved digital card should re-download it once a new version is published rather than reusing an expired one.
Basaglar List Price vs. Out-of-Pocket Cost
It helps to separate the sticker price from what you'll actually pay. List price is what's billed before any discount; out-of-pocket cost is what you pay at the register once the savings card or insurance is applied.
| Product | Approx. List Price | With Savings Card |
|---|---|---|
| Basaglar KwikPen (5-pack) | ~$95–$110 | As low as $35 |
| Basaglar Tempo Pen (5-pack) | ~$95–$110 | As low as $35 |
Tip: You generally can't combine a pharmacy discount coupon (like GoodRx or Inside Rx) with the Lilly Insulin Value Program on the same fill. Compare both prices at your specific pharmacy using a tool like our Drug Price Checker and use whichever is lower. See our GoodRx vs. Inside Rx comparison for how these discount cards typically stack up against manufacturer programs.
Basaglar vs Lantus: What's the Difference?
Basaglar is not a generic of Lantus. It is an FDA-approved "follow-on" insulin glargine — essentially a biosimilar-type product to Sanofi's Lantus. Both contain the same active ingredient (insulin glargine) and work the same way, but they are made by different manufacturers and have different device options and pricing.
| Factor | Basaglar (Eli Lilly) | Lantus (Sanofi) |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Insulin glargine | Insulin glargine |
| Manufacturer | Eli Lilly | Sanofi |
| Pen device | Basaglar KwikPen, Tempo Pen | Lantus SoloStar, SoloStar Pen |
| Savings program | Lilly Insulin Value Program ($35 cap) | Sanofi Insulin Valyou Savings Program ($35 cap) |
| Patient Assistance | Lilly Cares Foundation | Sanofi Patient Connection |
| Typical list price (5 pens) | ~$95–$110 | ~$95–$110 |
| Pharmacy substitution | Not automatically substitutable | Not automatically substitutable |
Can your pharmacist switch you from Lantus to Basaglar? Because Basaglar is not classified as a generic, pharmacies generally cannot auto-substitute it without a new prescription from your prescriber. If you're considering a switch due to the Lantus shortage or cost, ask your doctor to write a new prescription specifically for Basaglar.
If You Don't Qualify: Free Insulin Options
Patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or fall under certain income thresholds may qualify for completely free Basaglar through the Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program, a separate benefit from the copay card.
| Requirement | Typical Criteria |
|---|---|
| Insurance status | Uninsured or underinsured |
| Income limit | Generally at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level |
| Residency | Must reside in the US, DC, Puerto Rico, or the USVI |
| Application | Prescriber typically needs to complete a short enrollment form |
You can apply directly at LillyCares.com or by calling 1-800-545-6962. Our own patient assistance program directory lists comparable programs from other manufacturers if you're managing multiple prescriptions. For patients who don't qualify for a manufacturer-specific program, independent databases like NeedyMeds and BenefitsCheckUp can help identify state or nonprofit assistance you may also qualify for, including help with Medicare Part D premiums through Extra Help (LIS).
Pros and Cons of the Lilly Insulin Value Program
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No income requirement to enroll | Not available to Medicare or Medicaid patients |
| Works for both insured and uninsured patients | Capped at 14 fills per calendar year |
| Immediate savings at the pharmacy counter | Can't be combined with third-party discount coupons |
| Covers multiple Lilly insulins under one card | Terms can change or expire without much notice |
Common Mistakes That Cost Patients Money
- □ Assuming the "Basaglar Savings Card" no longer exists because it's now part of the broader Insulin Value Program.
- □ Trying to stack a GoodRx coupon with the Lilly savings card on the same transaction.
- □ Not asking the pharmacist to confirm the $35 cap was applied before paying.
- □ Enrolling in the commercial card while on Medicare, when a different cap already applies automatically.
- □ Not re-checking card expiration dates each year, especially near December 31.
- □ Continuing to order Tempo Pen refills without a transition plan as Lilly winds down the Tempo platform.
Real Patient Scenarios
Scenario 1 — Newly diagnosed, no insurance yet: A 34-year-old recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is prescribed Basaglar but hasn't enrolled in a health plan. She downloads the Insulin Value Program card at insulinaffordability.com the same day and pays $35 for her first KwikPen fill instead of the roughly $100 list price.
Scenario 2 — High-deductible plan: A patient with a high-deductible employer plan is quoted $140 for Basaglar because he hasn't met his deductible. His pharmacist applies the Lilly card, bringing the cost down to $35, since his out-of-pocket exceeds the $35 cap.
Scenario 3 — Fixed income, uninsured: A retiree not yet eligible for Medicare has no insurance and a very limited monthly income. Even $35 is difficult to manage every month, so she applies to the Lilly Cares Foundation and, once approved, receives Basaglar at no cost.
Bottom Line
Most Basaglar patients today have a real path to a $35-a-month price, whether through the Lilly Insulin Value Program applied at the pharmacy counter, a separately downloaded card for the uninsured, or free Basaglar through Lilly Cares for those who qualify by income. The program's name and packaging have shifted over the years, but the core benefit — a hard monthly cap — has stayed consistent.
If your pharmacy quotes you a price above $35 for a one-month Basaglar KwikPen fill, ask directly whether the current savings program was applied before you pay.
No. Basaglar is an FDA-approved follow-on insulin glargine, not a generic. While it contains the same active ingredient as Lantus and works similarly, it is manufactured by Eli Lilly under a separate approval pathway. Pharmacies cannot automatically substitute Basaglar for Lantus without a new prescription.
Without insurance or a savings card, Basaglar typically costs between $95 and $110 per 5-pack of KwikPens at most pharmacies. However, uninsured patients can download the Lilly Insulin Value Program card to cap the cost at $35 per month, or apply for free Basaglar through the Lilly Cares Foundation if they meet income requirements.
Many patients do switch from Lantus to Basaglar for cost reasons, especially during supply shortages. Both are insulin glargine products with similar dosing. However, you must get a new prescription from your doctor — pharmacies cannot auto-substitute. See our Lantus shortage guide for availability updates and transition tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's Eli Lilly's manufacturer copay assistance program, run under the Lilly Insulin Value Program, which caps out-of-pocket costs for Basaglar and other Lilly insulins at $35 per month for eligible patients.
Eli Lilly does not issue a traditional printable "coupon" for Basaglar. Instead, the Lilly Insulin Value Program acts as a manufacturer copay card that functions like a coupon at the pharmacy — it caps your out-of-pocket cost at $35 per month. If you see third-party sites advertising a "Basaglar coupon," they are usually referring to this same program or to pharmacy discount cards that cannot be combined with the Lilly card.
Yes. The program covers the Basaglar KwikPen and Basaglar Tempo Pen, along with other Lilly-manufactured insulins like Humalog, Humulin, and Lyumjev.
Patients with commercial insurance and patients with no insurance at all can both use the $35 cap. Patients on Medicare or Medicaid generally use different programs instead.
Yes. The Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program can provide free Basaglar to eligible uninsured or underinsured patients who meet income requirements, generally around 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.
No. Medicare and Medicaid patients are not eligible for the commercial Insulin Value Program card and instead rely on the insulin cost caps built into their own plans, including the automatic $35/month cap for Medicare Part D.
Eligible patients pay $35 or less per month for a one-month supply of the Basaglar KwikPen or Tempo Pen when the Lilly Insulin Value Program is applied. Uninsured patients must download a separate card; commercially insured patients usually see the cap applied automatically.
Yes. Lilly periodically renews and republishes program terms with a new expiration date — the current version expires 12/31/2026 — so patients should reverify terms each year rather than assume a past enrollment still applies.
Program terms currently allow up to 14 prescription fills per calendar year for each covered Lilly insulin, including Basaglar.
The Lilly Insulin Value Program is accepted at most major pharmacies including CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Kroger, and independent pharmacies. If your pharmacist is unfamiliar with the program, ask them to process it as a manufacturer copay card for insulin glargine.
Generally no. Pharmacies typically apply one discount or coupon per transaction, so compare both prices and use whichever is lower.
The Tempo Pen is currently covered under the same $35 cap as the standard KwikPen, but Lilly has announced it will discontinue the Tempo platform by the end of 2026. Ask your prescriber about switching to the standard Basaglar KwikPen ahead of that transition.
How We Researched This Guide
Sources
- Eli Lilly — Lilly Insulin Value Program (official program terms)
- Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program
- Eli Lilly — Basaglar Cost and Insulin Value Program Details
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration — Drug Approvals and Databases
- Medicare.gov — Insulin Costs Under Medicare Part D
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Related Insulin Savings Guides
- Humalog Savings Card & Copay Card
- Free or $35 Insulin: Complete 2026 Guide
- Insulin Price Comparison by Brand & Pharmacy
- Lantus Shortage 2026: Availability & Alternatives
- Novo Nordisk (NovoLog, Tresiba) PAP & Savings
- Lilly Cares Patient Assistance Program
- Medicare Part D Insulin Cost Cap Explained
- Extra Help (LIS) for Medicare Part D
Editorial Policy: Refill Relay medical content is researched using manufacturer program terms, FDA prescribing information and pharmacist-reviewed pricing resources. Every article is reviewed for clarity, accuracy and usefulness before publication. Program eligibility, pricing and expiration dates are controlled by Eli Lilly and subject to change without notice.