The cost of managing diabetes can be unsustainable. People with diabetes should not have to choose between their medications or other life essentials including housing, utilities, food, or other health care. 

The price of insulin and other life-saving medications contributes immensely to the cost of care for the diabetes community. The average cost of insulin nearly tripled between 2002 and 2013, and the price of the four most popular types of insulin has tripled over the past decade.

People with diabetes account for $1 of every $4 spent on health care in the U.S. 

Estimates of excess costs associated with medications include approximately $15 billion for insulin, $15.9 billion for other anti-diabetes agents, and $71.2 billion in excess use of other prescription medications attributed to diabetes’ many comorbidities.

ADA surveys have found that people with diabetes who depend on insulin cut back or skip doses putting their lives at risk—1 in 4 insulin users have said cost has impacted their insulin use.

Twenty states—and the District of Columbia—have capped copayments on insulin, devices, or diabetes supplies: