San Antonio will now subsidize $100 of prescription costs for diabetics who need insulin through a Diabetes Insulin Assistance Program, which rolled out Monday at 19 H-E-B Pharmacies.
According to the city, the initiative aims to support diabetics who struggle to pay for insulin and connects anyone who uses the discount to the city’s free, diabetes self-management workshops at the Metropolitan Health District.
The prevalence of diabetes in San Antonio remains a leading chronic disease with an estimated 1 in 5 adults reporting a diabetes diagnosis. And local research by UT Health San Antonio found that 1 in every 3 people in San Antonio has prediabetes.
According to Metro Health, clusters of people living with diabetes are south, east and west of downtown.
To be eligible for the subsidy, you must live in Bexar County or San Antonio and struggle to pay for insulin, no matter if you have insurance or not. No proof of income, insurance, citizenship or other documents are required.
Free insulin delivery for customers who live within a 15 mile radius is also available.
District 4 Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia, who co-authored the council consideration request with District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez in 2022, said it’s significant help for people who face health disparities and live with two or more health conditions.
“My hope is that this will be a part of a larger investment in communities where residents have limited access to healthcare and hospitals,” she said.
Most H-E-B stores are participating in the Diabetes Insulin Assistance program. See the map here.
Consent forms are required to get the subsidy. Contact information in the forms are automatically shared with Metro Health’s Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, which will offer free diabetes workshops, although participation is not required to get the subsidy.
In 2023, its Diabetes Prevention and Control Program held 46 workshops and served 433 people. It offers the Diabetes Garage, which provides self-management for men, and the Diabetes Empowerment Program.
To see upcoming diabetes management or prevention workshops, click here.
San Antonio allocated $100,000 for the first year of the program, and $100,000 for 2025, said Metro Health spokeswoman Rosalie Cisneros. The program will cover $100 for each insulin prescription, including refills, until program funds run out.
“Too often, my office receives calls from people making the difficult decision between the cost of utilities, rent, food and medication such as insulin,” said McKee-Rodriguez.
