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Key takeaways
Omnipod is a tubeless insulin delivery system approved by the FDA to manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
Without insurance, Omnipod products could cost $9,200 or more each year.
There is no generic version of Omnipod, but there are other, more affordable insulin delivery systems.
Discount cards and financial assistance from the manufacturer may help lower the cash price of Omnipod.
Omnipod is a brand-name medical device. It is an automated insulin delivery (AID) system that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the management of both Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. The cost of the Omnipod system without insurance depends on the model: Omnipod 5 costs $797 for 1 box of 10 pods, whereas Omnipod Dash costs $767 for 1 box of 10 pods. Although there are no generic or over-the-counter alternatives, there are ways to lower your out-of-pocket cost for Omnipod.
Is there a generic for Omnipod?
Currently, there is no generic for Omnipod, according to Sue Ojageer, Pharm.D., founder of Pharmacy Mentors and a 2022 Best of the Best Pharmacy Awards winner. “Unfortunately, there is no direct, lower-cost generic equivalent for the Omnipod system because it is a specialized device rather than a drug,” she explains.
Is Omnipod covered by insurance?
Insurance coverage for medical devices is often more complicated than for prescription drugs. Some insurance companies cover Omnipod, but coverage varies by individual insurance plan. It is also covered by some Medicare Part D plans under Tier 3 and Tier 4 co-pay benefits.
How much does Omnipod cost without insurance?
The cash price of Omnipod can vary when not covered by insurance. Currently, the average retail price for a box of 10 pods is $767 for Omnipod Dash or $797 for Omnipod 5. (Omnipod 5 and Omnipod Dash differ in several ways, such as size and closed-loop versus Dexcom G6 integration, but they are both tubeless insulin pumps.) Each pod is designed to be worn for up to 72 hours, so the daily cost is $25 to $26. Diabetes management is lifelong, and Omnipod use could cost $9,200 or more per year at the full list price. However, using a SingleCare discount card, the lowest price for Omnipod is $582 for a 30-day supply or $6,984 per year, yielding $2,216 in savings.
People with insurance, including Medicare, tend to pay much less for diabetes management systems than people without insurance pay. But copay requirements can vary greatly by plan. Even so, Omnipod costs more than many other insulin pumps.
“Regardless of a person’s insurance status, other insulin delivery methods might be more affordable,” Dr. Ojageer says. Less expensive Omnipod alternatives might include traditional insulin pumps such as Medtronic’s MiniMed or reverting to multiple daily injections with insulin pens or vials with syringes. However, she says “none of these options can fully replicate the tubeless, automated insulin delivery system offered by Omnipod.”
Compare Omnipod prices to related drugs |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Price without insurance of brand-name drug | SingleCare price | Savings options |
| Omnipod (Omnipod 5 pods or Omnipod Dash pods) | $767 to $797 for 1 box of 10 pods | $582 for 1 box of 10 pods of brand-name Omnipod | See latest prices for Omnipod 5 |
| MiniMed 700G | $11,608 per 1, 1 kit box | $10,933 for 1, 1 kit box of brand-name MiniMed | See latest prices |
| Humalog KwikPen (insulin lispro) | $132 per 1, 3 mL 100 unit/mL pen | $33 for 1, 3 ml of 100 unit/mL pen of generic Humalog | See latest prices |
| Novolog Flexpen (insulin aspart) | $142 per 1, 3 mL 100 unit/mL pen | $29 per 1, 3 mL 100 unit/mL pen of brand-name Novolog Flexpen | See latest prices |
| Basaglar KwikPen (insulin glargine) | $93 per 1, 3mL 100 unit/mL pen | $55 per 1, 3mL 100 unit/mL pen of brand-name Basaglar KwikPen | See latest prices |
| Tresiba Flextouch (insulin degludec) | $149 per 1, 3mL of 100 unit/mL pen | $37 per 1, 3mL of 100 unit/mL pen | See latest prices |
| Fiasp Flextouch (insulin aspart) | $765 per 5, 3 mL of 100 unit/mL pens | $414 per 5, 3 mL of 100 unit/mL pens | 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 Omnipod without insurance
Paying for brand-name insulin delivery systems without insurance can be costly. And as a first-of-its-kind medical device—the first tubeless AID system managed by a smartphone, according to the manufacturer—Omnipod is especially expensive. Fortunately, there are alternatives to paying full price for your insulin delivery system without insurance.
1. Use a SingleCare discount card
Using a SingleCare discount card at your local pharmacy can significantly reduce the cash price of prescriptions like Omnipod. For example, you can pay as low as $582 per month for one box of 10 pods, resulting in a monthly savings of $185.
2. Try other insulin delivery products
The cost of diabetes management systems varies. If you’re struggling to afford an Omnipod prescription, talk to your healthcare provider about switching to a different type of insulin product. Though no generic equivalent exists for Omnipod, traditional insulin pumps or insulin pens could be cheaper.
For instance, with a SingleCare discount card, you could pay as little as $29 for 1, 3 mL 100 unit/mL Novolog Flexpen. Prices for insulin products vary, so it could pay to shop around.
3. Contact Insulet for financial assistance
“Insulet, the manufacturer of Omnipod, offers financial assistance for those without insurance,” Dr. Ojageer says. Insulent’s Omnipod Copay Card offers eligible individuals an income-based discount on their monthly Omnipod Dash or Omnipod 5 supply.
Eligibility criteria state that patients must live in the United States or a U.S. territory, have a valid Omnipod prescription, and demonstrate a clear need for financial assistance (based on criteria established by Insulet). Individuals who pay part of their Omnipod prescription through Medicare, Medicaid, or other government programs are not eligible.
4. Apply for a free Omnipod Dash system starter kit
The Omnipod DASH 30-day Free Trial Program offers eligible individuals a free intro kit of Omnipod Dash pods. The idea is to help patients experience how using Omnipod can simplify life for people with diabetes.
However, this short-term assistance is available to patients with private insurance who have never used any Omnipod insulin management system and who have a new, valid Omnipod Dash prescription.
5. Compare prices at pharmacies
Sometimes, Omnipod prices differ across pharmacies. It’s a good idea to check prices at different local pharmacies to find the best deal. Websites like SingleCare can help you do that and can also help you compare list prices of Omnipod and other insulin products. A pharmacist can also help you identify which insulin products have discounts or savings programs for people without insurance. Be sure to discuss your options with your healthcare provider as well, as they may be able to recommend effective, yet affordable ways to manage your blood sugar.
Sources
- FDA clears Omnipod 5 automated insulin delivery system for use in adults with type 2 diabetes, Pharmacy Times (2024)
- Insulin coverage, U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- Is Omnipod right for me, Insulet (2024)
- What is Omnipod, Insulet (2024)
- Financial Assistance Program, Insulet (2024)
- Free trial eligibility, Insulet (2024)
