Jardiance (empagliflozin) doesn't have a generic equivalent yet, and the cash price for a 30-day supply commonly runs several hundred dollars. For people without drug coverage — or with a plan that puts Jardiance on an expensive non-preferred tier — that price can mean skipping doses or going without.
The Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation exists specifically for this gap. It's a separate charitable arm from Boehringer Ingelheim's insurance-facing savings card, and it works more like a need-based grant than a coupon: instead of shaving dollars off a copay, it can supply the medication completely free to patients who qualify.
This guide walks through who typically qualifies, what income limits look like heading into the back half of 2026, how Medicare patients are treated differently, and what a complete application actually requires.
Table of Contents
- What Is the Jardiance Patient Assistance Program?
- Jardiance PAP vs the Jardiance Savings Card
- Eligibility Requirements
- Income Limits by Household Size
- Medicare and Medicaid Patients
- Required Documents
- Decision Tree: Which Program Fits You?
- How to Apply — Step by Step
- Common Reasons Applications Are Denied
- What to Do If You're Denied
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Jardiance Patient Assistance Program?
The Jardiance PAP is one of several medication programs run through the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, a non-profit that also covers other Boehringer Ingelheim brands such as Ofev, Aptivus, Gilotrif, Spevigo and Cyltezo. Each medication is reviewed under the same general foundation framework, though specific income thresholds can vary by drug.
Unlike prior authorization, which is an insurance company deciding whether to pay for a prescription you already have coverage for, the PAP exists for people who don't have adequate coverage in the first place. If approved, the foundation ships the medication directly rather than reimbursing a pharmacy claim.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Administered by | Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation |
| Cost to eligible patients | $0 for approved medication |
| Application submitted by | Patient + prescribing healthcare provider |
| Typical approval period | Set period with required annual renewal |
| Delivery method | Shipped directly to patient or provider, not filled at a retail pharmacy |
Jardiance PAP vs the Jardiance Savings Card
These two programs get confused constantly because they're both run by the same manufacturer and both reduce what you pay for Jardiance. They are not interchangeable.
| Feature | Patient Assistance Program (BI Cares) | Jardiance Savings Card |
|---|---|---|
| Who it's for | Uninsured or underinsured, income-qualifying patients | Commercially insured patients |
| Cost to patient | $0 | As low as $10 for a 1–3 month supply, per published card terms |
| Medicare eligible? | Yes, under specific conditions | No |
| Income requirement | Yes — must be at or below FPL threshold | No income requirement |
| Requires prescriber sign-off | Yes | No |
| Renewal | Annual reapplication | Automatic re-enrollment if still eligible |
Applying to the wrong one wastes time. If you have commercial insurance and just want a lower copay, the savings card is faster and has no income review. If you're uninsured or your plan won't cover Jardiance at all, the savings card won't help — you need the PAP.
Eligibility Requirements
Program pages and third-party guides describe eligibility slightly differently, but the following criteria show up consistently across current 2026 sources.
- U.S. resident or resident of a U.S. territory
- Uninsured, or insured with coverage that doesn't adequately pay for Jardiance
- Household income at or below the program's income threshold
- Valid, active prescription from a licensed U.S. prescriber
- Not already receiving full Medicaid drug coverage for Jardiance
Income verification: Some applications allow income to be verified electronically using the last four digits of a Social Security number, which can be faster than mailing paycheck stubs or a tax return. If electronic verification isn't available, a copy of a 1040 tax return is typically accepted instead.
Income Limits by Household Size
Reported income thresholds for Jardiance vary between sources — some cite roughly 250% of the federal poverty level, others describe a higher 300–400% range that may apply to different Boehringer Ingelheim medications or program tiers. The table below uses the more commonly cited figure, but you should confirm the exact number for your household size directly with the foundation before applying.
| Household Size | Approximate 250% FPL Threshold (Lower 48 States) |
|---|---|
| 1 person | ~$39,900 / year |
| 2 people | Higher — verify current figure |
| 3 people | Higher — verify current figure |
| 4 people | Higher — verify current figure |
Why we're not filling in every row: Federal poverty guidelines update annually and Alaska and Hawaii use different figures entirely. Rather than publish numbers that could be stale by the time you read this, check the current household-size table on the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares application or NeedyMeds.org, which tracks current FPL guidelines.
Medicare and Medicaid Patients
Jardiance's PAP treats government coverage differently than most commercial-only assistance programs, which is worth understanding before you assume you're excluded.
| Coverage Situation | PAP Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Medicare Part D, no Extra Help | May qualify if income limit is met |
| Medicare Part D with Extra Help (LIS) | Generally not eligible |
| Full Medicaid drug coverage | Generally not eligible |
| Commercial insurance excluding Jardiance | Case-by-case — documentation of the exclusion required |
| Completely uninsured | Eligible if income limit is met |
This is one of the more patient-friendly design choices in the Jardiance PAP: many manufacturer programs cut off Medicare patients entirely, but this one specifically builds a path for Part D beneficiaries who fall through the cracks of Extra Help eligibility.
Required Documents
| Document | Usually Required |
|---|---|
| Completed application, patient section | Yes |
| Completed application, prescriber section | Yes |
| Proof of income (or electronic verification) | Yes |
| Proof of insurance status or denial letter | Yes |
| Active prescription details | Yes |
| Proof of Extra Help denial (Medicare applicants) | If applicable |
Decision Tree: Which Program Fits You?
Do you have commercial insurance?
Start here — this decides which program applies
Copay too high?
No income review needed
Use the Savings Card
Apply through the Jardiance website
Income at or below limit?
Check current FPL threshold for your household size
Apply to the BI Cares PAP
Prescriber must complete their section
Denied or over the limit?
Look at independent copay foundations next
How to Apply — Step by Step
Confirm you have the right program
Check whether you're uninsured, underinsured or on Medicare without Extra Help — the PAP is built for these situations, not for commercially insured patients looking for a lower copay.
Gather income documentation
Have a recent tax return or pay stubs ready in case electronic income verification using your Social Security number isn't available or doesn't clear automatically.
Get your prescriber's section completed
The application requires your prescribing healthcare provider to confirm the prescription and sign their portion. Ask your provider's office if they have a staff member who regularly handles PAP paperwork.
Submit by mail, fax or online
The Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation accepts applications online, by mail and by fax. Keep a copy of everything you submit, including the date.
Track your status and plan for renewal
If approved, mark your renewal date. Reapplication typically requires refreshed income and insurance documentation, so don't wait until the last week of your approval window to start gathering paperwork again.
Common Reasons Applications Are Denied
| Reason | What It Usually Means |
|---|---|
| Income above threshold | Household income exceeds the current FPL limit for your household size |
| Existing adequate coverage | Insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare Extra Help already covers Jardiance |
| Missing prescriber signature | Application is treated as incomplete until the provider section is finished |
| Income verification failed | Electronic check didn't clear; a 1040 or pay stubs may be required instead |
| Expired documentation | Income or insurance proof too old to be accepted at renewal |
What to Do If You're Denied
1. Ask for the specific denial reason. Many denials are administrative — a missing signature or an income-verification hiccup — rather than a final no.
2. Resubmit with corrected documentation. If the issue was a missing document or an income mismatch, a corrected resubmission is often faster than starting over.
3. Look at independent copay foundations. Organizations such as NeedyMeds, RxAssist and the HealthWell Foundation sometimes fund diabetes medications when manufacturer programs don't apply to your situation.
4. Ask your pharmacy about discount cards. Independent prescription discount programs can lower the cash price of Jardiance even without a formal assistance program, though savings are typically smaller than a PAP approval.
5. Talk to your prescriber about alternatives. If Jardiance genuinely isn't affordable and no assistance program applies, your provider may have other treatment options with lower out-of-pocket costs on your specific formulary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, U.S. residents who are uninsured or whose insurance doesn't adequately cover Jardiance, and whose household income falls at or below the program's income threshold.
Medicare Part D beneficiaries who don't qualify for Extra Help (the Low-Income Subsidy) may still qualify for the PAP if their income meets the program's limit.
No. The savings card lowers copays for commercially insured patients only. The Patient Assistance Program provides free medication to qualifying uninsured or underinsured patients, and Medicare beneficiaries cannot use the savings card.
Sources differ, with figures ranging from around 250% to 400% of the federal poverty level depending on the source and possibly the specific Boehringer Ingelheim medication. Confirm the current threshold for your household size directly with the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation before applying.
Approval periods vary, and patients generally need to reapply annually with updated income and insurance documentation.
Yes. The application requires a section completed and signed by your prescribing healthcare provider confirming the prescription and medical need.
Generally, no, if Medicaid already provides full drug coverage for Jardiance in your state. Medicaid formulary gaps may be reviewed case by case with supporting documentation.
You can ask for the specific denial reason, resubmit with corrected documentation, or explore independent copay foundations and prescription discount programs while you wait.
Yes. The Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation also covers other brands including Ofev, Aptivus, Gilotrif, Spevigo and Cyltezo, though income thresholds may differ by medication.
Not currently. Empagliflozin remains under patent protection, which is a major reason the cash price stays high for uninsured patients.
How We Researched This Guide
References
- Boehringer Ingelheim — Patient Assistance Program information
- NeedyMeds — current Federal Poverty Level guidelines
- RxAssist — independent patient assistance program directory
- HealthWell Foundation — independent copay assistance
- Medicare.gov — Extra Help / Low-Income Subsidy information
Related Resources
- NovoCare vs Lilly Cares: Patient Assistance Compared
- Ozempic Prior Authorization Requirements
- How to Appeal a Prescription Denial
- Jardiance Drug Guide
- Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program
Editorial Policy: Refill Relay medical content is researched using manufacturer patient assistance program pages, Federal Poverty Level guidance, and current third-party reporting on 2026 program changes. Because manufacturer PAP rules and income thresholds can change without notice, always confirm current figures directly with the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation before submitting an application.