Novo Nordisk, the company that makes NovoLog, offers a Patient Assistance Program that provides the insulin completely free to eligible patients. Beyond that, several other programs can bring your cost down to $35 or even $0 depending on your income, insurance status, and where you live. Here’s how each option works and who qualifies.
Novo Nordisk’s Free Insulin Program
The most direct path to free NovoLog is through Novo Nordisk’s own Patient Assistance Program (PAP). This program provides all Novo Nordisk insulins, including NovoLog, at no cost to qualifying patients. To apply, visit NovoCare.com or call 1-844-NOVO4ME.
Eligibility requirements include being a U.S. citizen or legal resident, having a total household income at or below 400% of the federal poverty level, and not having private prescription coverage like an HMO or PPO plan. You also cannot have or qualify for government programs like Medicaid, with two exceptions: Medicare patients who meet the other requirements can still qualify, and patients who applied for Medicaid but were denied are also eligible.
The income threshold is more generous than many people expect. Based on the 2025 federal poverty guidelines, 400% of the poverty level works out to these annual income caps for the 48 contiguous states:
- 1 person: $62,600
- 2 people: $84,600
- 3 people: $106,600
- 4 people: $128,600
- 5 people: $150,600
If your household earns less than these amounts and you don’t carry private insurance, this is likely your best option. The application process typically involves submitting proof of income and a prescription from your provider.
The $35 Monthly Cap for Uninsured Patients
If you don’t qualify for the free program but you’re paying out of pocket, you may still be able to get NovoLog for $35 per month. Novo Nordisk has committed to capping insulin prices at $35 per monthly prescription for uninsured, cash-paying customers. In New York, this cap was formalized through an agreement with the state attorney general and covers NovoLog, Novolin, and Fiasp for five years.
The process is designed to be automatic at the pharmacy counter. Novo Nordisk contracts with a third-party messaging company that notifies the pharmacist when an uninsured patient filling a prescription is eligible for the $35 cap. You shouldn’t need to enroll in a separate program. If your pharmacy doesn’t mention it, ask the pharmacist directly whether the Novo Nordisk $35 pricing applies to your prescription.
Copay Cards If You Have Commercial Insurance
For patients with private insurance who still face high copays, Novo Nordisk offers copay savings cards that can bring your out-of-pocket cost down to as little as $35 for several insulin products. These cards are available through NovoCare.com and are meant for people with commercial (non-government) insurance plans. They won’t work if you’re on Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal programs.
The savings card essentially covers the difference between your copay and $35. If your insurance already sets your copay at $35 or less, the card won’t add much benefit, but for people facing $100 or $200 copays, the savings are significant.
Medicare Extra Help for Seniors
If you’re on Medicare, federal law already caps insulin copays at $35 per month under Part D plans. But if you need help covering premiums, deductibles, and other drug costs, the Social Security Extra Help program can reduce those expenses further.
For 2026, the income limits for Extra Help are $23,940 for an individual and $32,460 for a married couple. Resource limits (savings, investments, and similar assets, but not your home or car) are $18,090 for individuals and $36,100 for couples. You can apply through Social Security’s website or by calling your local Social Security office. Even if your income is slightly above these thresholds, it’s worth applying, as partial benefits are available.
Community Health Centers and 340B Pricing
Federally qualified health centers, sometimes called community health centers, participate in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. This program requires drug manufacturers to sell medications to these centers at deeply discounted prices. The savings often get passed directly to patients, which means you can access NovoLog at a fraction of its retail cost, and sometimes for free, depending on the center’s policies and your financial situation.
These centers serve patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, and they use a sliding fee scale based on income. To find one near you, search HRSA’s health center finder at findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov. When you call, ask specifically about their pharmacy services and whether they can fill insulin prescriptions on-site at reduced prices.
Nonprofit Pharmacies and Assistance Databases
Several nonprofit organizations help connect patients with free or low-cost insulin. Rx Outreach is a nonprofit mail-order pharmacy that provides affordable medications to people in need. You can reach them at RxOutreach.org or by calling 1-888-796-1234. NeedyMeds.org maintains a searchable database of programs that help pay for medications, and you can search by drug name or manufacturer. RxAssist.org is another clearinghouse that lists drug company assistance programs, state-level programs, discount cards, and copay help all in one place.
These databases are particularly useful if you don’t qualify for Novo Nordisk’s PAP but still can’t afford your prescription. Many state-level programs have their own eligibility criteria that differ from the federal guidelines, so it’s worth checking even if you’ve been turned down elsewhere.
Emergency Refills When You Can’t Afford to Wait
If you’ve run out of NovoLog and can’t get a prescription refill authorized in time, many states have laws (often called “Kevin’s Law”) that allow pharmacists to dispense emergency supplies of life-saving medications without a current prescription. In Ohio, where this legislation originated, patients can receive up to a 30-day emergency supply on the first refill and up to two additional seven-day supplies in the same year. Over 20 states have adopted similar laws.
The key conditions are that the pharmacist cannot reach the prescriber for authorization and that failing to dispense the medication could harm the patient’s health. If you have insurance, the emergency refill is typically covered as part of your benefit plan. This isn’t a long-term solution, but it can bridge a dangerous gap while you sort out a more permanent assistance program.