You may apply to
Diabetic Cats In Need. We help low income caregivers with the start up costs of treatment including insulin, a test kit (if you don't already have one). If you do buy the Relion Premier from Walmart ($9...strips are $17/100), lancets (approx $2), and syringes we can reimburse you if you hold onto your receipt.
We only support using Vetsulin if you can prove it's working well for your cat, so you'd need to get a script for Glargine (Lantus) or ProZinc.
If you can get your vet to write you a script for Lantus, there's a Lantus Savings Card that allows you to get a box of 5 pens for $35. That's 1500 units which is enough to last most cats at least a year. The savings card doesn't work at all pharmacies so you may have to shop around.
Getting the Lantus Savings Card:
Lantus changed the wording on their offer to say it’s only good for a 30 day supply so it’s important to have your vet write the script in a specific way.
It should be written: Lantus Solostar Pen, Quantity 5
Ask your vet to write it “Lantus Solostar Pens (5 pack) - Give twice a day as directed for 30 days”
If not already printed on the script, ask your vet to give his DEA number. This is because there is a number that only human doctors can get but the DEA number is usually accepted at the pharmacy.
If the script says something like “give 1 unit twice a day”, that only adds up to 60 units a month...and you can’t get just 60 units of lantus
The Lantus Savings Card is a loyalty card offered by the manufacturer of Lantus (Sanofi ) You can use it at some pharmacies to get Lantus pens or vials at a discount. You can get 5 Lantus Solostar Pens for as low as $35 a month (10 refills a year) and it’s renewable for another year of 10 refills. The pens are the better buy. A vial contains 1000 units and most cats are going to be on less than 2U twice a day and the insulin will lose efficacy before you can use it all. Nobody likes to throw away insulin! The pens each contain 300 units and a box of 5 will last most people at least a year....sometimes longer! Keep all insulin in your refrigerator on a stable shelf, not in the door (the door temperatures vary more)
To apply go to:
https://www.lantus.com/sign-up-for-savings
Chose “I Want a Savings Card” then “Continue”
It’s important to answer the questions correctly. Here’s how to answer them:
- I am a patient over the age of 18 and a resident of the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, or the US Virgin Islands NO
- I am a caregiver/legal representative of the patient who is a resident of the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, or the US Virgin Islands, and I am over the age of 18. YES
- The patient currently has a prescription for Lantus. YES
- Please select the statement that applies regarding patient's insurance coverage: Choose “No insurance plan is paying for the prescription”
- What would the patient like to do? Choose “Enroll for a Lantus
Savings Card”
- Finally, please provide us with the patient’s information (you can use your cats name or your name...it shouldn’t matter but if your cat has a somewhat “human” name, I’d use it)
- Agree to the answers and hit “Submit”.
Since the new rules went into effect, CVS, WalGreens and Costco seem to be the most successful in using the card. More and more members are reporting successfully using these cards at various pharmacies so it’s worth a shot.
Some pharmacies (even those listed above) will still refuse the cards so you haven’t lost anything (and you can still always try another pharmacy or order from
Marks Marine Pharmacy in Canada)
Some retailers are asking for the Vets NPI, (a number that vets can’t get) however if your vet writes prescriptions for controlled substances, they must have a DEA number and this should be sufficient but many places will still not accept them (as well as some vets don’t want to give out their DEA number)
GoodRx sometimes can also get the $35 price.
