Is Humulin R (insulin, regular, human) covered by Medicare Part D?
4,792 of 5,052 Medicare Part D plan offerings (94.9%) list Humulin R on their 2026 formulary, most often on tier 3; 45.9% of the formularies that cover it require prior authorization. Part D spending on it was $317 million in 2024 for at least 60,691 people: what plans and patients paid at the pharmacy, before manufacturer rebates (CMS Part D Spending by Drug).
- Plans that cover it
- 94.9%
- 4,792 of 5,052 offerings; the median drug: 76%
- Usual tier
- Tier 3
- from tier 1 to tier 6
- Prior authorization
- 45.9%
- of formularies that cover it; the median drug: 1%
- Quantity limits
- 35.8%
- of formularies that cover it; the median drug: 30%
Source: CMS Part D formulary file, 2026 second quarter: the formularies in use in 2026. A plan's 2027 formulary can differ; check your own plan's coverage in Medicare Plan Finder.
What does it cost under Part D in 2027?
- Insulin costs at most $35 a month
- A one-month supply of each Part D-covered insulin costs no more than $35, and the drug deductible does not apply to insulin.
- Your yearly cap in 2027
- Out-of-pocket spending on covered Part D drugs stops at $2,400 in 2027 ($2,100 in 2026); after that, you pay nothing for covered drugs for the rest of the year.
- The deductible
- A plan's drug deductible is at most $700 in 2027 ($615 in 2026); many plans charge less or none.
Source: CMS, Announcement of calendar year 2027 Part D parameters; Medicare.gov, “How much does Medicare drug coverage cost?”; Medicare.gov, “Insulin” (read Oct. 7, 2026).
How much does Medicare spend on it?
Part D spending by year
60,691 people filled it under Part D in 2024, in 372,371 claims. The amounts are what plans and patients paid at the pharmacy, before manufacturer rebates.
Source: CMS Medicare Part D Spending by Drug, 2020 to 2024 (published June 2026). Row used: Humulin R (Insulin Regular, Human), Humulin R U-500 (Insulin Regular, Human), Humulin R U-500 Kwikpen (Insulin Regular, Human).
Which forms and strengths are counted?
- 3 ml insulin, regular, human 500 units/ml pen injector
- insulin, regular, human 100 units/ml injectable solution
- insulin, regular, human 500 units/ml injectable solution
Which other versions are listed?
The same ingredients under other names, each with its own coverage and spending.
- Novolin R (insulin, regular, human)99.9% of plan offerings
What else should you check?
- Stand-alone drug plans for 2027Premiums and deductibles
- Drugs Medicare spends the most onThe 2024 spending list
- 2027 costs and limitsDeductibles and out-of-pocket limits
Data, not medical advice. Coverage is the share of plan formularies listing the drug; your plan's formulary, tier and pharmacy decide what you pay.