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Free insulin program offers a year of relief for low-income patients with diabetes

Ian Hansen
·4 min read

Editor's Note: The following is part of a class project originally initiated in the classroom of Ball State University professor Adam Kuban in fall 2021. Kuban continued the project this spring semester, challenging his students to find sustainability efforts in the Muncie area and pitch their ideas to Deanna Watson, editor of The Star Press, Journal & Courier and Pal-Item. This spring, stories related to health care will be featured.

MUNCIE, Ind. – In the 1980s, Jerry Henkle's father noticed that he was drinking more water than usual, which led them to suspect diabetes.

They went to the doctor for an A1C test, which rates a person’s average blood-sugar level over the past two to three months. Although the doctor initially did not believe Henkle had diabetes, the test came back positive for Type 2.

Jerry Henkle poses before taking his Ozempic insulin shot in his Indiana home. He has had diabetes since the 1980s and is on a program of free insulin for a year through Novo Nordisk.
Jerry Henkle poses before taking his Ozempic insulin shot in his Indiana home. He has had diabetes since the 1980s and is on a program of free insulin for a year through Novo Nordisk.

This diagnosis brought about significant changes in Henkle's life, both physically and financially. From the 1980s until 2018, Henkle said he spent approximately $5,000 to $7,000 per year on insulin. However, in 2018, he met Rex and Jeana Thomas, who happened to have a summer home in Texas, close to the Mexico border.

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He said the Thomas’ proximity allowed them to cross over to Mexico and purchase insulin for Henkle at a significantly lower cost of around $35 per month, compared to the $400 he had been spending in the United States.

"I would get, like, two or three different types of insulin pens and my Nasonex,” Henkle said. “I'd get enough to last me a year. One year, I spent around $800 down there on stuff that was worth around $5,000 here."

Buying low-cost insulin and medication in Mexico

A program through Novo Nordisk now allows low-income and uninsured patients such as Henkle to receive insulin for free or at a low cost. Before this program, though, Henkle had relied on the kindness of others.

The process of crossing the border for the Thomas family was simple — their main concern was crossing back into the United States. Henkle said they would inform the guards that they were carrying pharmaceutical supplies, and often their bags would not be checked.

Jerry Henkle injects himself with Ozempic, a diabetes medication, in his Indiana home. He takes these shots once a week.
Jerry Henkle injects himself with Ozempic, a diabetes medication, in his Indiana home. He takes these shots once a week.

"We would park our car on the Texas side," Rex said. "We would walk over the Rio Grande River to Mexico, and we would walk a block down the street and go to this little pharmacy. We knew this guy who speaks English, and we asked him how much they are, and he tells us, 'For you, my friend, it is almost free.'"

While there were limits on the quantities they could legally bring back, it was enough to last Henkle until the Thomas family would cross the border again.

"When we would go over for Jerry, the pharmacist would take the packages apart and would get four or five pens of insulin in each box,” Jeana said. “You are limited on the quantities you can take across legally.”

The Thomases continued this practice for four years but have not done so since last year. In 2022, Henkle said he signed up for the program through Novo and was able to receive insulin for free due to being considered low income.

Drug company offers free insulin for a year

"Through Novo, I use Ozempic — an injection I give myself every week," Henkle said. "I have lost 30 or so pounds, and my long-term sugar is really good. I am on Social Security, so I was able to go to Novo and tell them how much I make. Now, I am getting free insulin from Novo for a year because I am considered low income."

Henkle learned about this program by talking to his endocrinologist, who informed him about the website to contact the company. He filled out the necessary paperwork through the patient assistance program and was able to enroll in the program.

What is diabetes? From types to causes, what to know about one of the deadliest diseases.

According to a 2020 article on Fierce Pharma titled, “Novo Nordisk expands 90-day free insulin program to workers affected by COVID-19,” 50,000 patients received free insulin through Novo despite an estimated 37 million Americans being diagnosed with diabetes each year, according to the CDC, suggesting that many people may not be aware of Novo’s patient-assistance program.

"I don't think people know about (the patient-assistance program)," Henkle said. "I had a really good doctor who shared the information."

Millions of people who may not qualify for free insulin but still struggle with the affordability of the product will now have the option to purchase insulin at a much lower cost. A 2023 study by Melissa Suran published on JAMA Network in 2023 revealed that Eli Lilly has implemented an automatic $35 out-of-pocket cap for insulin purchased with commercial insurance — but only through participating retail pharmacies such as CVS, Walmart and Kroger.

This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Novo Nordisk offers free insulin for a year to low-income diabetics