Medicare Patient With Diabetes Will Save Thousands With Insulin Copay Cap

August 9, 2023

Robin Craycroft, licensed therapist and older American with Type 1 diabetes
Springfield, Missouri

Nearly 4 million Medicare recipients live with diabetes, and many of them struggle to afford their insulin. Since the $35 insulin Medicare copay cap was implemented in January 2023, Robin Craycroft has experienced the life-changing impact of the Inflation Reduction Act.

Among other important health care provisions, the $35 insulin copay cap finally holds Big Pharma accountable for profiting off the backs of Americans such as Robin. Since its enactment, the three largest insulin manufacturers have moved to reduce some insulin product prices for people not on Medicare.

December 12, 2022

As the price of insulin surged for more than a decade, patients with diabetes had no choice but to pay thousands of dollars in copays or risk comas by rationing insulin. For Missouri resident Robin Craycroft, the price of her insulin under Medicare brought her to shock and tears at the pharmacy.

When Robin was 61 years old, she was diagnosed with latent autoimmune diabetes—a condition that causes Type 1 diabetes. After she enrolled in Medicare last year at age 65, her insulin costs went from $35 per month to more than $1,000 upon hitting the Medicare coverage gap. The first time Robin saw the price, she teared up in the pharmacy line. The only thing she could do was hand over her credit card to purchase her insulin and pay it off over time. She wants to retire, but the high cost of her prescription medications requires her to continue working part time. Once she heard about the Biden administration enacting the Inflation Reduction Act to cap insulin copays at $35 per month, she cried tears of joy. In anticipation of thousands of dollars in savings, Robin and her husband plan to purchase a home and enjoy retirement unburdened by the stress of rising insulin costs.

Robin and millions of other Medicare recipients with diabetes will finally have relief from high insulin prices with the $35 copay cap from the Inflation Reduction Act. The provision will not just save money; it will save lives.