I don’t use this but might be for someone out there who does, check it out?
Here’s a pretty comprehensive write-up:
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/you-can-get-cheap-insulin-at-walmart-without-an-rx-in-some-states-576008/
Just a reminder: you don’t HAVE to run your Rx through your insurance. Ever. Find out if it’s cheaper without it (or with using GoodRx), and then do whichever works better for you.
And you can use this trick in conjunction with your insurance. Say your insurance will only cover 9 of your migraine pills a month but you need more (a real thing for a friend of mine). Get your doc to write a second Rx then buy it without insurance or use programs like GoodRx to find the cheapest fill place in your area & fill it. For most meds, you won’t get in trouble doing it that way. Your insurance doesn’t care.
(One small reminder though… if you don’t run it through your insurance, it won’t count toward your deductible. So if that’s a factor, consider that.)
I agree that more people should know about Walmart insulin, but more people should also be aware that there is a reason it’s so cheap — it’s old. For a lot of people, it doesn’t work well.
Someone once compared the idea to using a cheap horse and buggy when you can’t afford a car. Sure, it’ll work for the time being, but it’s not a permanent solution.
It’ll keep you alive! It’s definitely great that we have this option! But I worry about conversations regarding high insulin prices getting derailed because “why don’t we just go use Walmart insulin instead?”
Plus this is only for the insulin used by type 2 diabetics, the one used for type 1 is $75 each (this according to my friend who is type 1 and works at walmart)
