Lantus Solos diabetic long acting insulin not available after 1/1/25--what are you taking?

[GardnerADK]

My spouse received his kidney transplant almost 6 yrs ago this month and takes 2 different insulin medications, Novolog and Lantus. Lantus is taken before bedtime and we found out last week our insurance is not carrying it as of 1/1/25. He researched on his own for 90 min other long lasting insulins and it was difficult to locate one without alot of not fun side effects. He had not fun side effects being on Lantus since Dec 2023 when his Levemire discontinued being manufactured. That med he was on 12 yrs without problems. The Novolog is taken before each meal. Just asking if you are taking a long acting injectable insulin, what it is and do you have any side effects shortly after using it or months after. Thanks

[Bassetmommer]

Curious, Lantus is the go to med for diabetes. I am not sure why your insurance would not have it covered. In 2025, all diabetic meds are not supposed to cost more than $35.00 with a cap at $2000.00. Two things I would do, go to a broker and change your insurance. They are totally out of control this year and you probably can get a better one. Go to the pharmacist and ask him what to do. Also change the website for the manufacturer and see if they can do a patient assistance program. It is sanofipatientconnection.com

[GardnerADK in reply to Bassetmommer]

Thanks for responding. Medicare part D let us know this drug will not be in their formulary for 1/1/25 . Thanks for your thoughts on this topic.

[Bassetmommer in reply to GardnerADK]

not trying to be argumentative. But my husband is on Part D and Lantus and we have not heard this. It's a pretty big drug for them not to have on the formulary. I would talk to your pharmacist, even if you do not get the drug from them. They would know.

[GardnerADK]

I am retired from a NY state job with benefits I pay for when I retired. At age 65 on Medicare this NY state medical insurance I pay for rolls into MEdicare somehow. WE got a letter from the pharmacy plan that is a 'merge' with Medicare that Lantus was not being offered 1/1/25. He had been on Levemere long acting insulin 12 yrs and it worked very well and no side effects but in 11/2023 we got the letter it was not being manufactured anymore as of 1/1/24, so they gave 2 similar drugs and Lantus was the one chosen. I am sure we'll figure it all out. Of course we called the pharmacy we use (2 of them) and our NY medical insurance too. Thanks alot for your caring spirit.

[Darlenia]

My husband, who has a transplant, also takes Lantus. Medicare does not pay for it, the insurance companies do. He has had no issues about getting it - he has Medicare and a United Healthcare Plan D (which is available nationally). He says it's not unusual for companies to switch or change medicine coverage - he suspects yours may be substituting a generic form of Lantus. So, here are three things you can do. 1) check your current plan to see what the replacement will be for Lantus, if any. 2) go to the Medicare website - medicare.gov. There is a tool on that website to insert your medications and it will tell you which Medicare Part D plans will cover these meds. 3) go to your pharmacy and ask them to run that check for you. Any brokerage company will do that for you too.

It's important to do this now. It's open enrollment, switching to other plans is possible right now - it closes December 7. You have time to make any changes if needed. Crossing my fingers all turns out fine!

[GardnerADK in reply to Darlenia]

Thanks for your information. Most of all you wrote we have done. I know we'll figure this out. We always do. Thanks for caring.