Colorado Insulin and Prescription Help 2026–27: The $50 Insulin Program, $35 Emergency Fill, and Other Ways to Pay Less
Updated: 3 days ago
If you've ever stood at a pharmacy counter and walked away without your insulin because of the price, Colorado law may protect you. Colorado has some of the strongest insulin cost limits in the country, and it has similar programs for epinephrine auto-injectors (like EpiPens). Federal rules add a $35 insulin cap for people on Medicare, and a Medicare program called Extra Help lowers drug costs for people with limited income.
This guide explains which rule covers you, how to use each one at the pharmacy, and what to do if a pharmacy or insurer won't follow it.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Found something out of date? Our Editorial Standards explain how to report it.
Programs are set by state and federal law and can change, so ask your pharmacist to confirm.
Step 1: Figure Out Which Rule Applies to You
Look at your situation:
You have health insurance regulated by Colorado: Your insulin cost is capped at $100 per 30-day supply (see below).
You have Medicare: Your insulin cost is capped at $35 per month for each covered insulin product.
You're uninsured, or you pay more than $100 a month for insulin: Look at Colorado's Insulin Affordability Program: $50 per 30-day supply, plus a one-time $35 emergency fill.
You need an EpiPen or other epinephrine auto-injector: Colorado caps the cost at $60 per 2-pack through regulated plans or the state affordability program.
How to tell if your plan is Colorado-regulated: The state says to look for "CO-DOI" on your insurance card. If it's not printed there, your plan isn't regulated by the Colorado Division of Insurance.
The $100 Insulin Cap for Colorado-Regulated Insurance
Under Colorado law (C.R.S. 10-16-151), insurers that cover insulin must cap what you pay for all covered prescription insulin at no more than $100 for your entire 30-day supply. That limit applies regardless of the amount or type of insulin you need or the number of prescriptions.
If your pharmacy charges more than $100 for a month of covered insulin on a CO-DOI plan, ask the pharmacist to re-run the claim. If it still isn't fixed, contact your insurer and the Division of Insurance (see the complaint section below).
Colorado's Insulin Affordability Program: $50 a Month
The Insulin Affordability Program was created by HB21-1307 and updated by HB24-1438. It's run through pharmacies, with oversight from the state's Division of Professions and Occupations.
Who qualifies:
You're a Colorado resident
You have a current insulin prescription
You pay more than $100 for a 30-day supply of insulin
You can show ID proving Colorado residency, such as a Colorado ID card, driver's license or permit, or tribal-issued ID. For minors under 18, a parent or legal guardian provides proof.
For the affordable 12-month supply, you also can't be enrolled in or eligible for Health First Colorado (Medicaid) or Medicare.
What you pay: no more than $50 for each 30-day supply, for up to 12 months.
How to use it: Download the Insulin Affordability Program application (English or Spanish) from the state's Colorado Pharmacy Prescription Affordability Programs page. Fill it out and bring it, with your proof of residency, to your pharmacy.
The $35 Emergency Insulin Fill
If you're about to run out, Colorado offers a one-time emergency fill.
You must have an emergency need and less than a 7-day supply on hand.
You pay no more than $35 for a 30-day supply.
You can use it once in a 12-month period.
The same state application covers the emergency supply. Keep a copy in your phone or wallet so you can use it at any pharmacy.
Manufacturer Programs That May Cost Less
The state lists manufacturer patient assistance and coupon programs that may help regardless of your insurance status:
Eli Lilly: Lilly Diabetes Solution Center, the Lilly Colorado Insulin State Patient Assistance Program, and Lilly's discounts for diabetes medicines
Novo Nordisk: Patient Assistance Program and NovoLog Savings Card
Sanofi: Patient Assistance Connection, Sanofi Colorado Emergency and Affordability Insulin Programs, and the Diabetes Savings Program
MannKind: Co-Pay Program and Direct Payment Program
Eligibility rules vary by program. Ask your doctor's office to help with the application.
Epinephrine Auto-Injectors: $60 per 2-Pack
Colorado created a similar program for epinephrine under HB23-1002, later updated by HB24-1438.
Colorado-regulated plans that cover epinephrine auto-injectors must cap your cost at no more than $60. This includes ACA plans and high-deductible plans with an HSA.
The Epinephrine Auto-Injector Affordability Program is for Colorado residents who aren't on a regulated plan with the $60 cap, aren't eligible for or enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare, have a valid prescription, and pay more than $60 for a 2-pack. You pay $60 per 2-pack, as prescribed, for 12 months.
Manufacturers including Viatris, Teva, Kaleo (Auvi-Q), and Amneal have Colorado programs that pharmacies use to process these fills.
If You Have Medicare: $35 Insulin and Extra Help
Insulin cap. Medicare says you pay no more than $35 for a one-month supply of each Part B- or Part D-covered insulin product, and you don't pay a deductible for insulin. For a three-month supply, you'd generally pay no more than $105. Part D covers insulin from pens, syringes, and disposable "patch" pumps. Part B covers insulin used with a durable insulin pump covered under Part B.
Extra Help with all your drugs. Extra Help is a Medicare program that lowers Part D premiums, deductibles, and copays for people with limited income and resources. You get it automatically if you have full Medicaid, a Medicare Savings Program, or SSI. Otherwise, apply through Social Security.
2026 limits: income $23,940 and resources $18,090 for an individual; income $32,460 and resources $36,100 for a married couple
What you'll pay in 2027 with Extra Help: $0 plan premium, $0 deductible, and up to $5.80 for each generic and $14.40 for each brand-name drug at participating pharmacies
Your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) can help you apply for free.
If a Pharmacy or Insurer Won't Follow the Rules
Insurer charging more than the cap: Contact the Division of Insurance Consumer Services at 303-894-7490 or dora_insurance@state.co.us.
Trouble getting the affordability programs: The state points people to the Colorado Attorney General's consumer protection site, stopfraudcolorado.gov.
Questions about the pharmacy programs: The Division of Professions and Occupations is at 303-894-7800.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm uninsured. Can I get insulin for $50?
If you're a Colorado resident with a prescription, pay more than $100 a month, and aren't eligible for Medicaid or Medicare, yes. Bring the state application and proof of residency to your pharmacy.
How often can I use the $35 emergency insulin fill?
Once every 12 months, and only when you have less than a 7-day supply.
Does the $100 cap apply to my employer plan?
Only if your plan is regulated by Colorado. Look for "CO-DOI" on your insurance card.
I'm on Medicare. Which cap applies?
Medicare's $35-per-month cap for each covered insulin product. Colorado's $50 program excludes people enrolled in or eligible for Medicare.
Does Colorado cap the price of insulin pens and syringes?
The state cap applies to prescription insulin drugs. Supplies like syringes and needles may be priced separately, so ask your pharmacy.
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice.
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