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Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

PUBLIC HEALTH

Help available for diabetics who need insulin

Posted 7/24/20

REGIONAL - Minnesotans with diabetes who need emergency insulin supplies but can’t afford them can get the drug under a new state law.The Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act was recently …

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PUBLIC HEALTH

Help available for diabetics who need insulin

Posted

REGIONAL - Minnesotans with diabetes who need emergency insulin supplies but can’t afford them can get the drug under a new state law.
The Alec Smith Insulin Affordability Act was recently passed by the state of Minnesota and created one of the most comprehensive insulin safety net programs in the United States, according to Jon Erickson, executive director of the Ely Community Health Center.
“The safety net program will allow qualifying people with diabetes, with less than seven days worth of the lifesaving drug left, to pay no more than $35 to get a one-time 30-day supply from their pharmacy,” he said.
The program has two components, the urgent need program and the continuing need program.
The urgent need program provides up to a 30-day supply of insulin if someone has less than a seven-day supply of insulin and is a resident of Minnesota.
“You can access this program once a year at any community or outpatient pharmacy in Minnesota with a valid prescription from a medical provider,” Erickson said.
The continuing need program provides access to the insulin manufacturer’s patient assistance program where one can obtain insulin at any community or outpatient pharmacy.
“This program requires an application that the Ely Community Health Center can assist you in completing. We can also help you with any follow up or appeals that you may have,” Erickson said.
“To qualify for the continuing need program, you must be a resident of Minnesota, not enrolled in either MA or MinnesotaCare, have a family household income of 400 percent or less of the federal poverty guidelines, and not be eligible for prescription drug benefits through the VA,” he said. “There is also some eligibility for individuals who are enrolled in Medicare Part D.”
The state has set up a website, MNinsulin.org, that includes information on how to apply for the safety net programs and a downloadable application to take to the pharmacy.
For more information, contact Ely Community Health Center at 218-365-5678 or email director@elycommunityhealth.org.