How can I get a free EpiPen?

Mylan, the company that manufactures EpiPens, has come under fire in recent years for hiking up the price of its life-saving allergy device. In 2016, the cost of a two-pack rose to $600, and Mylan has been accused of price gouging. If you or someone you know has severe allergies, you may be wondering how to get a free EpiPen. Here are a few ways you can get your hands on one without breaking the bank.

The EpiPen

If you or your child has a severe allergy, you know that an EpiPen can be a lifesaver. But the cost of this life-saving medication can be a barrier for many families. If you’re wondering how to get a free EpiPen, there are a few options.

The first option is to check with your local pharmacy. Many pharmacies offer discount programs for those in need. You may also be able to find coupons or other discounts online.

Another option is to contact the manufacturer of EpiPens, Mylan. They have a patient assistance program that provides free or discounted EpiPens to those who qualify.

If you have insurance, check with your insurer to see if they cover the cost of EpiPens. Many insurance plans will cover at least some of the cost.

Finally, if you’re unable to afford an EpiPen, there are organizations that may be able to help, such as Allergy UK and The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

How to Get a Free EpiPen

If you or someone you know has a severe allergy, you may be wondering how to get a free EpiPen. EpiPens are expensive, and the cost of an EpiPen can be a barrier to getting life-saving medication.

There are a few ways to get a free EpiPen. One way is to sign up for a free EpiPen prescription savings card. This card will give you access to discounts on your EpiPen prescription. Another way to get a free EpiPen is to contact your local pharmacy or check online retailers like Amazon for coupons or discounts. Finally, if you have insurance, your insurance company may cover the cost of an EpiPen or provide you with a discount.

If you are unable to afford an EpiPen, there are patient assistance programs that can help. Mylan, the manufacturer of EpiPens, has a program that provides free or discounted EpiPens to those who qualify. You can also check with your state’s Department of Health or Medicaid office for assistance programs in your area.

Alternatives to the EpiPen

If you are in need of an EpiPen but cannot afford one, there are a few alternatives you can try.

The first option is to see if your insurance will cover the cost of an EpiPen. If you have health insurance, check with your provider to see if they cover the cost of an EpiPen. If they do not, you may be able to get financial assistance through the manufacturer’s patient assistance program.

Another option is to find a generic version of the EpiPen. There are a few manufacturers that make generic versions of the EpiPen, and they may be cheaper than the brand-name version. Ask your doctor if a generic version is an option for you.

Finally, you can try to get a free EpiPen through patient assistance programs offered by the manufacturer or other organizations. These programs may provide free or discounted EpiPens to those who qualify.

How to Pay for an EpiPen Without Insurance

There’s no getting around it: If you have severe food allergies, you need to keep an epinephrine auto-injector (either EpiPen or Auvi-Q, or a generic equivalent) with you at all times. But if you don’t have health insurance—or even if you do have insurance but carry a huge deductible—you might wonder how you can pay for this very necessary drug, which may cost more than $600.

Unfortunately, these injectors aren’t cheap, and you may need more than one (say, one to keep at school and another to keep at home for a child).

Luckily, there are still some options for individuals without health insurance or who have insurance with large deductibles to obtain medicine like an EpiPen. Here are six options you can pursue to help pay for epinephrine if you find you need help. Depending on your financial situation, these options may reduce the cost, or even enable you to get these medications for free.

Ask An Allergist

Allergists sometimes receive samples of these medications from the companies that make them. If your financial situation makes it difficult for you to afford these medications, an allergist may be able to give you a sample for free or may be able to help you locate a discounted source. Do make sure, however, that you check the expiration date on anything you get this way, as the devices may have been sitting on the shelf a while.

Research State Prescription Assistance Programs

Most states offer some form of prescription assistance—usually more than one—targeted at people of different disabilities and ages. You can do a Google search for your state or check out a website like NeedyMeds to select a plan based on your state.1 If you move, however, you will need to select a new plan. Check before selecting a plan to see whether a plan available in your area will cover epinephrine; many do not cover it.

Apply for Federal or State-Sponsored Insurance

If your income is low, you may be eligible for subsidized insurance through the healthcare marketplace at HealthCare.gov.2 In some cases, your copayments and deductibles will be covered, as well. People with very low incomes may be eligible for their states’ Medicaid programs—eligibility varies by state, so you’ll need to check with your own state to determine if you qualify.

Pharmaceutical Company Assistance Programs

Mylan Specialty L.P., the manufacturer of EpiPen, and Kaleo, Inc., which makes Auvi-Q, each offer prescription assistance programs to provide epinephrine to consumers who can’t otherwise afford them.3 In some cases, the manufacturers can get you epinephrine for free. To participate in these programs, you’ll need to email or call the manufacturers and request help in paying for your prescription, which will usually be delivered to a healthcare provider of your choosing. Here’s more information on the Mylan and Kaleo prescription assistance programs:

• EpiPen (Mylan Specialty L.P.): Patients must be U.S. citizens or legal residents and complete a patient assistance form with their healthcare provider. Eligible patients must have a yearly income that’s less than 400% of the current Federal Poverty Guidelines, based upon family size, and must meet other requirements regarding insurance status. Verification documents will be required. Get more information on the program by emailing [email protected] or calling Mylan customer relations at (800) 395-3376.
• Auvi-Q (Kaleo, Inc.): Eligible patients must be uninsured and not be eligible for government insurance such as Medicare or Tricare, and must have a household annual income of less than $100,000. They also must be U.S. citizens or legal residents. Get more information on the program by calling Kaleo customer service at (877) 30-AUVIQ.

Use a Pharmaceutical Discount Website and Card

Discount pharmacy websites such as GoodRx allow you to obtain your prescriptions at discounted prices that are similar to the prices that a large insurer would pay for the same drug. They also allow you to compare cash prices and discounted prices for nearby pharmacies, all on the same page, and to choose which pharmacy you’d prefer to use.

Buy Generic

As prices of epinephrine auto-injectors began to soar over the past few years, customers began clamoring for a less expensive generic alternative. Amedra Pharmaceuticals stepped up with a generic called Adrenaclick that retails at CVS Pharmacies for $110. When you include a coupon that’s often available from the manufacturer, that can lower the price of these injectors to just $10 for a two-pack. If you decide to take this alternative, make sure to ask the pharmacist for a training session on how to use the device. Mylan also offers a generic version of its EpiPen that’s priced lower than the brand-name drug.

A Word From Verywell

If you’re switching devices—for example, from a brand-name EpiPen to the generic Adrenaclick, or from EpiPen to Auvi-Q—make sure you know exactly how to use your new device. You don’t want to be fumbling for the instructions in the midst of an allergic reaction.

In addition, if you’re having trouble affording your epinephrine auto-injector, talk with a healthcare provider about your alternatives. They may know of local programs that can help.

Conclusion

The best way to get a free EpiPen is to ask your doctor or allergist if they have any samples available. Many times, these professionals will have extra EpiPens on hand that they are willing to give away for free. You can also check with local pharmacies to see if they offer any type of discount or assistance program for those who need an EpiPen but cannot afford one. Finally, there are a few national organizations that provide financial assistance for those who need an EpiPen but cannot afford one.

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