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Key takeaways
Novolin N is an intermediate-acting insulin that’s FDA-approved to manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Novolin N is only available as a brand-name medication and can be expensive. Without insurance, one 10 mL vial of Novolin can cost about $148 —a SingleCare prescription discount card can significantly lower this amount.
Other ways to lower the cost of Novolin N include switching to the ReliOn brand, discussing other lower-cost alternatives with your healthcare professional, and comparing prices at different pharmacies.
Novolin N (generic insulin isophane human) is a prescription medication used to manage blood glucose levels in people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Novolin N is considered an intermediate-acting insulin, so it takes longer to work than rapid- and short-acting insulins. It’s usually given one to two times per day. Without insurance, Novolin N costs $148 for 1, 10 mL of 100 units/mL vial. While there aren’t any generic versions of Novolin N available, there are many ways to make it more affordable.
What is the generic for Novolin N?
Novolin N is only available as a brand-name medication at this time, and there are no generic versions on the market yet. However, a private-label insulin called ReliOn Novolin N is available from Walmart. It is the same drug as NovolinN but has the ReliOn name on the product. ReliOn Novolin N isn’t considered a generic version of the medication, but it costs significantly less than the brand-name Novolin N.
Is Novolin N covered by insurance?
Novolin N can be covered by commercial insurance, but coverage may vary by plan. Each private insurance plan has its own drug formulary and eligibility requirements. For example, some insurance companies require prior authorization before they will cover Novolin N.
Medicare and Medicaid plans may cover Novolin N. For Medicare patients, the drug may be covered under Medicare Part B or Medicare Part D, depending on how the drug is administered. According to Medicare, the cost of a one-month supply of covered human insulin products is capped at $35, and there are no deductibles or other out-of-pocket costs for insulin drugs.
How much does Novolin N cost without insurance?
If Novolin N is covered by insurance, the copay will vary depending on the plan. Without insurance, the insulin cost will depend on the quantity, dosage, and pharmacy. The average retail list price is $148 for 1, 10 mL of 100 units/mL vial. This can provide almost a 45-day supply of medication, which means the cost of one year of treatment is almost $1,200.
Fortunately, there are several Novolin N alternatives on the market. To lower the cost of your prescription, consider switching to a lower-cost alternative.
| Compare Novolin N prices to related drugs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Novolin N | $148 per 1, 10 mL of 100 units/mL vial | $46 per 1, 10 mL of 100 units/mL vial of brand-name Novolin N | See latest prices |
| Humulin N | $163 per 1, 10 mL of 100 units/mL vial | $47 per 1, 10 mL of 100 units/mL vial of brand-name Humulin N | See latest prices |
| Novolin R | $155 per 1, 10 mL of 100 units/mL vial | $46 per 1, 10 mL of 100 units/mL vial of brand-name Novolin R | See latest prices |
Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs (unless otherwise specified). The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs, if available. Click the link under “Savings options” to see the latest drug prices.
How to get Novolin N without insurance
Brand-name insulin drugs are expensive, especially without insurance. Novolin N is no exception. Luckily, there are ways to lower the cost of Novolin N. While manufacturer coupons and patient assistance programs are sometimes available, they have strict eligibility requirements. Here are other ways you can save money on Novolin N:
1. Use a SingleCare prescription discount card
Using a SingleCare discount card can significantly lower the retail price of Novolin N. For example, the savings card can lower the cash price of one 10 mL vial of Novolin N from $148 to $46. Signing up is free, and it can be used at over 35,000 participating pharmacies.
2. Switch to the ReliOn brand
Walmart sells a private-label insulin called ReliOn. ReliOn Novolin N is the same medication as Novolin but with a different name. ReliOn insulins are significantly cheaper than their brand-name counterparts.
3. Discuss Novolin N alternatives with your healthcare provider
Many different insulin medications are available. There are rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, long-acting, and ultra-long-acting versions. There are also premixed insulins that combine two different types of insulin. Some insulins cost less than others, and your healthcare provider can discuss which would work best for you.
4. Shop around at different pharmacies
The price of Novolin N can vary from pharmacy to pharmacy. To find the best price, check your local, chain, and independent pharmacies.
Sources
- Novolin N (insulin isophane human) prescribing information, Food and Drug Administration (2023)
- ReliOn product guide, Walmart
- Insulin, Medicare