Starting August 1, a new dedicated helpline called the Lilly Diabetes Solution Center will assist people who need help paying for their insulin – such as those with lower incomes, the uninsured, and people in the deductible phase of their high-deductible insurance plans, Eli Lilly and Company announced today. A customized suite of solutions for all Lilly insulins, including for Humalog® (insulin lispro), will be used by helpline operators to find answers that best fit the personal circumstances of patients.
Among the multiple solutions being made available through the helpline are short-term and long-term options for people with immediate needs for insulin and how people with lower incomes can access Lilly insulin through free clinics. Lilly is donating Humalog and Humulin® (insulin human injection) to three relief agencies – Americares, Direct Relief, and Dispensary of Hope – to supply nearly 150 free clinics across the U.S.
“We want to hear from people who have trouble paying for their insulin so that we can try to find a solution for them,” says Enrique Conterno, president of Lilly Diabetes and Lilly USA. “People with diabetes face numerous costs for their treatment including medicines, supplies and doctor visits. Our solution center can help relieve the cost burden for many people and better ensure they receive comprehensive treatment for diabetes. Our solution center will take a targeted approach to the problem by finding customized solutions for people.”
David A. Ricks, Chairman and CEO of Lilly, adds: “While the current system works for many people, there are still gaps. That’s why Lilly is working with PBMs, insurance companies, advocacy groups and others to bring solutions to patients, and why we are advancing additional solutions today. Lilly and our partners share a commitment to reduce the cost of insulin at the pharmacy counter so that everyone who needs our medicines to manage their diabetes is able to get them.”
Based on estimates from market research data, more than 400,000 people living with diabetes in the U.S. and Puerto Rico could benefit from the new solution center. Conterno said Lilly will continue to build upon these solutions with additional answers for people who need relief from high out-of-pocket costs.
Following are the solutions that will be made available starting August 1:
Lilly Diabetes Solution Center helpline
The helpline will be a dedicated service that identifies solutions for people who have trouble affording their insulin. The solution center helpline will be staffed with people who find options based upon the personal circumstances of the person in need – including their location, type of insurance, and income level. The goal of the helpline is to ensure each person who uses Lilly insulin is matched with the best cost solution available. The phone number will be made available on August 1.
Free Clinics
Lilly is donating insulin to three relief agencies – Americares, Direct Relief, and Dispensary of Hope – to eventually supply nearly 150 free clinics across the U.S. with Lilly insulin. Helpline operators will point people toward clinics that are most convenient to them and explain how to access them. Lilly is working now with the relief agencies to identify as many clinics as possible that can adequately store and distribute insulin to people who need it. (Qualifications will differ clinic-to-clinic).
Point of Sale Savings
We are increasing our financial assistance for people who may need help paying for insulin. The helpline will use a suite of solutions to find answers for people who face the highest out-of-pocket costs such as people who are uninsured and people who pay significant costs when they are in the deductible phase of their high-deductible commercial insurance plans. The solutions will be customizable based upon personal circumstances and will include options for all Lilly insulins.
Immediate Needs for Insulin
If someone has an immediate need for insulin, they will be able to call the Lilly Diabetes Solution Center to learn about immediate and longer-term options. “Our goal is to ensure everyone who needs insulin can get it,” says Mike Mason, senior vice president of Connected Care and Insulins for Lilly Diabetes.
More information on these programs, including how to access savings, will be provided on August 1. Lilly will promote the availability of these programs in a variety of ways, including through paid advertising, social media, and ongoing media outreach.
“Lilly has actively engaged in discussions about the price of insulin – and potential solutions for people paying the highest out-of-pocket costs – with patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, advocacy groups, lawmakers, and thought leaders across the diabetes community. Our conversations have been meaningful, and we’ve taken them seriously,” Mason says. “We look forward to introducing these solutions, and others, that will help more people who live with diabetes.”
Between now and August 1, people can dial The Lilly Answers Center at (800) 545-5979.
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