Humulin Monthly Cost With Savings Card
$35/month
N, R, 70/30, and R U-500 — vial or KwikPen
Humulin is Eli Lilly's line of human insulin — the older, non-analog insulins that have been used to treat diabetes for decades. It covers three main types: Humulin N (intermediate-acting), Humulin R (short-acting), and Humulin 70/30 (a premixed combination), plus the specialty concentrated formulation Humulin R U-500 for patients with significant insulin resistance.
Humulin has actually gotten a lot cheaper in recent years. In 2023, Eli Lilly cut list prices for Humulin by 70%, and combined that with an expanded copay program that caps most patients' cost at $35 a month. The result is that Humulin, once one of the pricier staples in a diabetes regimen, is now one of the more predictably affordable ones — as long as you know which program applies to your situation.
This guide breaks down exactly what the Humulin Savings Card covers, how the cash and commercial versions differ, what's changed for the concentrated U-500 formulation, and what to do if $35 a month still isn't affordable.
What Is the Humulin Savings Card?
The "Humulin Savings Card" isn't a standalone product — it's one piece of the broader Lilly Insulin Value Program (LIVP), which covers Humulin alongside Humalog, Basaglar, Lyumjev, Rezvoglar, and generic insulin lispro. According to Lilly's official program terms, all of these insulins are available for $35 a month whether you have commercial insurance or no insurance at all.
There are technically two versions of the card, and which one applies depends on your insurance status:
- Commercial Savings Card — for patients enrolled in a commercial (private) drug insurance plan, whether or not that plan currently covers Humulin
- Cash Savings Card — for patients with no insurance at all, downloaded separately at insulinaffordability.com
Good news if you have a U-500 prescription: Humulin R U-500 used to have its own separate, more limited copay card. As of the current Lilly Insulin Value Program terms, U-500 (both vial and KwikPen) is folded into the same unified $35 program as standard-strength Humulin — no separate enrollment required.
Is There a Humulin Coupon?
Not in the traditional printable sense. Eli Lilly doesn't issue a standalone manufacturer coupon for Humulin. What functions as a "Humulin coupon" at the pharmacy counter is the Insulin Value Program card described above — it processes like a secondary insurance claim and brings your price down automatically.
Third-party discount cards from GoodRx, SingleCare, and similar services also list Humulin pricing, and can sometimes beat $35 for patients who don't want to deal with card enrollment — but they can't be combined with the Lilly card on the same fill. Compare both using our Drug Price Checker and our GoodRx vs. Inside Rx comparison before assuming one is automatically cheaper.
Which Humulin Products Are Covered
The Lilly Insulin Value Program's covered-products list is specific down to the packaging format. For Humulin, that list includes:
| Humulin Product | Formats Covered | Covered by $35 Cap? |
|---|---|---|
| Humulin N (insulin isophane human) | KwikPen, 10 mL vial | Yes |
| Humulin 70/30 (isophane/regular mix) | KwikPen, 10 mL vial | Yes |
| Humulin R (regular, U-100) | 10 mL vial | Yes |
| Humulin R U-500 (concentrated) | KwikPen, vial | Yes |
Why U-500 matters more than people realize: Humulin R U-500 is five times more concentrated than standard insulin and is prescribed to patients who need very large daily doses. Without the savings card, U-500's list price runs dramatically higher than standard Humulin — sometimes well over $1,000 for a 20 mL vial. That makes enrolling in the card especially valuable for U-500 patients specifically.
How Much Can You Save?
The $35 cap is the headline, but the fine print on fill limits and savings caps differs depending on your exact situation.
| Your Situation | Monthly Cost | Fills Allowed Per Year |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial insurance, plan covers Humulin | As low as $35 | Up to 16 |
| Commercial insurance, plan does not cover Humulin | As low as $35 | Up to 14 |
| Uninsured, paying cash | As low as $35 | Up to 14 |
For commercially insured patients whose plan covers Humulin, savings are capped at up to $3,000 per fill and $16,000 per year, per insulin type — more than enough to cover the entire cost for virtually every patient. For uninsured patients and those without plan coverage, the card covers the difference between $35 and the full cash price (list price plus the pharmacy's usual charges), with no separate dollar cap.
Who Qualifies for the Savings Card
| Insurance Situation | Eligible? | Which Card |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial insurance (employer, ACA marketplace, or individual) | Yes | Commercial Savings Card |
| Uninsured | Yes | Cash Savings Card |
| Medicare (Part D, Medicare Advantage, or Medigap) | No | Use the automatic $35 Part D cap instead |
| Medicaid | No | Use state Medicaid formulary coverage |
| TRICARE / CHAMPUS / VA / DoD | No | Use plan-specific pharmacy benefits |
| State prescription assistance program | No | Excluded under program terms |
- You must have a valid Humulin prescription consistent with FDA-approved labeling
- You must be a U.S. resident (including Puerto Rico, Guam, USVI, Northern Mariana Islands, or American Samoa)
- You must be 18 or older
Watch for accumulator and maximizer programs: If your insurance plan uses a copay accumulator or maximizer program, card payments may not count toward your deductible, and Lilly's terms require you to stop using the card once you learn your plan does this. Ask your benefits administrator directly if you're unsure whether this applies to you.
Income Limits: Card vs. Free Medication
The Humulin Savings Card has no income requirement at all — it's available to anyone who meets the insurance criteria above. The separate Lilly Cares Foundation program, which provides completely free medication, does use income limits.
| 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 | At or below 400% of Federal Poverty Level (Group 2) | Uninsured or Medicare Part D | $0 |
| Medicare Part D annual cap | None | Enrolled in Medicare Part D | Up to $35/month, capped further by the annual out-of-pocket max |
Humulin falls under Lilly Cares' Group 2 medications, which use a 400% federal poverty level income ceiling. Approximate 2026 annual income limits for the 48 contiguous states look like this:
| Household Size | Approximate Annual Income Limit |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $62,600 |
| 2 people | $84,600 |
| 3 people | $106,600 |
| 4 people | $128,600 |
| 5 people | $150,600 |
| 6 people | $172,600 |
Alaska and Hawaii use higher limits based on their own federal poverty guidelines. These figures are approximate — Lilly Cares reviews eligibility annually, so confirm your household's exact number by calling 1-800-545-6962 or visiting the HHS poverty guidelines page before applying.
Step-by-Step: How to Enroll
Check your insurance category first
Commercial insurance points you to the Commercial Savings Card. Uninsured points you to the Cash Savings Card. Medicare and Medicaid patients should skip both and rely on their own program's cost protections instead.
Download the correct card
Visit insulins.lilly.com and select "I have commercial insurance" or "I pay cash" to get the right version. You can also call 1-833-808-1234.
Present the card and prescription at the pharmacy
Bring the card (printed or on your phone) to any participating pharmacy — roughly 85% of U.S. retail pharmacies take part, including CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart.
Confirm the $35 price before you pay
Ask the pharmacist to confirm the reduced price reflects the current card terms. If it doesn't process, ask them to run it as a manufacturer copay card for human insulin.
If $35 is still too much, apply to Lilly Cares
If you're uninsured or on Medicare Part D and still can't manage $35 a month, start a Lilly Cares Foundation application for completely free Humulin instead.
Decision Tree: Which Option Fits You
What's your coverage?
Start here to route to the right program
Lilly Insulin Value Program
$35/month cap, up to 14–16 fills/year
Plan-Specific Insulin Cap
Automatic $35/month cap for Part D; state rules for Medicaid
Still can't afford $35?
Apply to the Lilly Cares Foundation for free Humulin, or ask your pharmacist about Walmart's ReliOn as a temporary bridge.
Approval Timelines
| Program | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Insulin Value Program card (commercial or cash) | Immediate — same-day download and use |
| Lilly Cares Foundation PAP | Typically a few weeks after a complete application |
| Prior authorization (if your plan requires it) | Usually 3–14 business days, longer if appealed |
If your plan requires prior authorization before covering Humulin, our prior authorization guide covers the documentation that tends to speed up approval or an override request.
Renewing Your Card
The current Lilly Insulin Value Program card is set to expire on December 31, 2026, per Lilly's official terms. Lilly has historically republished the program each year with updated terms shortly before or after expiration, but automatic renewal isn't guaranteed.
- Check for updated program terms each December or January.
- If your pharmacy suddenly stops applying the $35 price, ask whether a newly issued card is required.
- Lilly Cares Foundation approval lasts 12 months; reapply with updated income documentation before it lapses.
- If you switch insurance mid-year, re-download the correct version of the card (commercial vs. cash) to match your new situation.
List Price vs. Out-of-Pocket Cost
Since Eli Lilly's 2023 price cuts, Humulin's list price is dramatically lower than it was a few years ago — before you even factor in the savings card.
| Product | Approx. List Price | With Savings Card |
|---|---|---|
| Humulin N, R, or 70/30 (10 mL vial) | ~$82–$86 | As low as $35 |
| Humulin N or 70/30 KwikPen (5-pack) | ~$92 | As low as $35 |
| Humulin R U-500 (vial or KwikPen) | Significantly higher — often $1,000+ for a 20 mL vial | As low as $35 |
Tip: If you're paying anywhere near list price for Humulin, something's not applying correctly. Compare your pharmacy's actual price against these figures using our Drug Price Checker, and don't assume the sticker price is your only option.
Humulin vs. Novolin: Comparing Programs
Humulin (Eli Lilly) and Novolin (Novo Nordisk) are the two major human insulin lines in the U.S., and they're often confused because Walmart sells private-label versions of both. Here's how the actual savings programs compare.
| Feature | Humulin (Eli Lilly) | Novolin (Novo Nordisk) |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer copay program | Lilly Insulin Value Program | My$35 Insulin Rx |
| Monthly cap | $35 per insulin type, per fill | $35 for up to 3 vials or 2 pen packs combined |
| Uninsured eligible | Yes | Yes |
| Medicare/Medicaid eligible | No | No |
| Free medication program | Lilly Cares Foundation (400% FPL) | Novo Nordisk PAP (400% FPL) |
| Walmart private-label version | None currently marketed under Lilly's name | ReliOn NPH / ReliOn Regular (~$25/vial, OTC) |
Important distinction: Walmart's ReliOn insulin line is manufactured by Novo Nordisk, not Eli Lilly. If you're specifically prescribed Humulin and want to stay on a Lilly product, ReliOn isn't a Lilly substitute — it's a different company's insulin that happens to work similarly. Switching between them for cost reasons is a conversation to have with your prescriber, since dosing and timing can differ slightly between products.
If You Don't Qualify: Free Humulin
Patients who are uninsured or on Medicare Part D, and who meet income requirements, can get completely free Humulin through the Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program.
| Requirement | Typical Criteria |
|---|---|
| Insurance status | Uninsured, or Medicare Part D with no other prescription coverage |
| Income limit | At or below 400% FPL (Group 2) |
| Residency | U.S., DC, Puerto Rico, or the USVI |
| Application | Prescriber section, signed prescription, and proof of income |
Apply by calling Lilly Cares at 1-800-545-6962 or downloading the application from LillyCares.com. Completed applications, including the required documentation, are typically faxed to 1-844-431-6650. Our broader Patient Assistance Programs directory lists comparable programs from other manufacturers if you're managing multiple prescriptions, and independent databases like NeedyMeds and BenefitsCheckUp can help identify additional state or nonprofit assistance.
Medicare and Humulin
Medicare patients can't use the Lilly Insulin Value Program — federal law excludes anyone enrolled in a government-funded healthcare program. Instead, two protections apply specifically to Medicare beneficiaries:
- The automatic $35/month insulin cap. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, Medicare Part D beneficiaries pay no more than $35 per month for each covered insulin product, including Humulin, with no card or enrollment required.
- The annual Part D out-of-pocket cap. As of 2026, Medicare.gov confirms the broader out-of-pocket maximum for all covered Part D drugs is $2,100 per year, after which covered prescriptions are $0 for the rest of the calendar year.
If you're on Medicare and being charged more than $35 for Humulin, contact your Part D plan directly — it may not be coded correctly as an insulin fill. For broader Part D cost questions, our Extra Help (LIS) guide explains the federal low-income subsidy that can reduce costs across all your covered medications.
Pros and Cons of the Humulin Savings Card
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| No income requirement to enroll | Not available to Medicare, Medicaid, or VA patients |
| Works for both insured and uninsured patients | Capped at 14–16 fills per calendar year |
| Covers all Humulin formats, including U-500 | Can't be combined with third-party discount coupons |
| Immediate savings at the pharmacy counter | Terms and expiration dates can change with little notice |
Common Mistakes That Cost Patients Money
- □ Assuming Humulin R U-500 still needs a separate card — it's now part of the same unified $35 program.
- □ Downloading the wrong version of the card (commercial vs. cash) for your actual insurance status.
- □ Trying to stack a GoodRx or SingleCare coupon with the Lilly card on the same transaction.
- □ Assuming Walmart's ReliOn is a Lilly product — it's Novo Nordisk's Novolin under a different label.
- □ Enrolling in the commercial card while on Medicare, when the automatic $35 Part D cap already applies.
- □ Not re-checking card terms near December 31, when the current program version expires.
Real Patient Scenarios
Scenario 1 — Newly diagnosed, high-deductible plan: A 39-year-old with a new type 2 diabetes diagnosis is quoted $78 for a Humulin N vial because he hasn't met his deductible. His pharmacist applies the Commercial Savings Card, and his cost drops to $35.
Scenario 2 — Uninsured, U-500 prescription: A 55-year-old with significant insulin resistance is prescribed Humulin R U-500 and is quoted over $1,200 for a vial without coverage. She downloads the Cash Savings Card at insulinaffordability.com and pays $35 instead.
Scenario 3 — Fixed income, uninsured: A 61-year-old not yet eligible for Medicare has no insurance and a limited monthly income. Even $35 is difficult, so he applies to the Lilly Cares Foundation and, once approved, receives Humulin at no cost for the next 12 months.
Bottom Line
Humulin is one of the more straightforward insulins to afford in 2026 — between Lilly's 2023 price cuts and the Insulin Value Program's $35 cap, very few patients should be paying anywhere near list price, including those on the concentrated U-500 formulation. If you're on Medicare or Medicaid, rely on your plan's built-in protections instead of the manufacturer card. And if $35 a month genuinely isn't affordable, the Lilly Cares Foundation remains a real path to free medication.
If your pharmacy quotes you more than $35 for a one-month Humulin fill, ask directly whether the current savings program was applied before you pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's part of Eli Lilly's Insulin Value Program, which caps out-of-pocket costs for Humulin and other Lilly insulins at $35 per month for eligible patients, whether or not you have commercial insurance.
Not anymore. Humulin R U-500, in both vial and KwikPen form, is now included under the same unified Lilly Insulin Value Program as standard Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin 70/30, all capped at $35 per month.
There's no separate printable coupon. The Lilly Insulin Value Program functions as the coupon at the pharmacy counter, reducing your cost to $35 or less for a 30-day supply of any covered Humulin product.
Following Eli Lilly's 70% list price cut in late 2023, a 10 mL vial of Humulin N, R, or 70/30 lists for roughly $82 to $86, and a 5-pack of KwikPens lists for around $92. Humulin R U-500 lists significantly higher due to its concentrated formulation.
Commercially insured patients whose plan covers Humulin can use the card for up to 16 fills per calendar year. Uninsured patients, and commercially insured patients whose plan doesn't cover Humulin, are limited to 14 fills per calendar year.
No. The Lilly Insulin Value Program excludes anyone enrolled in Medicare, Medicare Part D, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Medicaid, VA, TRICARE, or any state prescription assistance program. Medicare Part D beneficiaries instead get an automatic $35 monthly cap under federal law.
Humulin falls under Lilly Cares' Group 2 medications, which use an income ceiling of 400% of the federal poverty level. That's roughly $62,600 for a single applicant in the 48 contiguous states, though exact figures are updated annually.
No, and this is a common mix-up. Walmart's ReliOn NPH and ReliOn Regular insulin are manufactured by Novo Nordisk as private-label versions of Novolin, not Eli Lilly's Humulin. They're pharmacologically similar and sold over the counter for about $25 per vial, but they are a different manufacturer's product.
Both cap costs at $35 per month for eligible patients, but the details differ. Lilly's program caps each covered insulin separately per fill, while Novo Nordisk's My$35 Insulin Rx program caps a combination of up to 3 vials or 2 pen packs per month across all covered Novo Nordisk insulins.
Most complete applications, including the prescriber section and proof of income, are processed within a few weeks. Approval is generally valid for 12 months before you need to reapply.
Yes. The current version of the Lilly Insulin Value Program card expires on December 31, 2026. Lilly has historically republished the program with updated terms, but patients should reverify each year rather than assume automatic renewal.
It's accepted at roughly 85% of U.S. retail pharmacies, including major chains like CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart. If a pharmacist is unfamiliar with it, ask them to process it as a manufacturer copay card for human insulin.
If your insurance uses an accumulator adjustment or copay maximizer program, the Lilly Insulin Value Program may not credit your card savings toward your deductible, and Lilly's terms require you to stop using the card if you learn your plan does this.
How We Researched This Guide
Sources
- Eli Lilly — Lilly Insulin Value Program (official program terms)
- Lilly Cares Foundation Patient Assistance Program
- NovoCare — My$35 Insulin Rx Program
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration — Drug Approvals and Databases
- Medicare.gov — Part D Out-of-Pocket Cap
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- NeedyMeds
Related Manufacturer Coupon & Savings Card Guides
- Eli Lilly Patient Assistance Program: Complete Guide
- Basaglar Savings Card, Coupon & Copay Card 2026
- Basaglar Patient Assistance Program: Eligibility & How to Apply
- Patient Assistance Programs: Full Directory
- Free or $35 Insulin: Complete 2026 Guide
- Prior Authorization Guide for Diabetes Medications
- Extra Help (LIS): Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy
- GoodRx vs Inside Rx: Which Saves More?
- Drug Price Checker
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.