Up until now, the only way to deliver emergency glucagon was through a scary, complicated injection. Used in an emergency for a really low blood sugar, it could save a life. Think of Glucagon as the EpiPen for diabetes.

Every day we ask parents, teachers, grandparents, and coaches to know how to use glucagon in an emergency for a child with type 1 diabetes and every day we just hope they‘re never put to the test.

But recently, a new product was launched that makes things easier. It’s called “Baqsimi” — and rather than injecting it, you just squeeze it into the nose and it starts working to raise blood sugar. It is passively absorbed in the nose so doesn’t need to be inhaled (so it can be administered to someone who is unconscious).

If you missed our article on glucagon, check it out here. If you’re looking to order nasal glucagon, here’s how to get it.

Our goal in sharing this is to teach you a little about glucagon and a new product called Baqsimi that’s now available that’s going to simplify diabetes emergencies. I have no affiliation with Baqsimi, but I do think it can make things a whole lot safer for kids and people living with diabetes.

Getting Baqsimi

First you’ll need a prescription from your doctor.

Paying For Baqsimi

Depending on your insurance, it may or not be covered (yet). It’s also not cheap — the out-of-pocket costs is the same as existing glucagon ($280).

BUT, Lilly is offering a promotion until 12/31/2020 for two BAQSIMI devices for as little as $0.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• You must be a resident of US or Puerto Rico who is at least 18 years of age or older
• You must have commercial insurance with coverage for BAQSIMI (i.e., not valid if you’re using any governmental program, such as Medicaid).

On a government program like Medi-Cal and need help paying? Call Eli Lilly’s Solution Center at 1–833–808–1234 or visit insulinaffordability.com.

Using the Coupon

Sign up here.

You’ll be directed through 4 questions to confirm you’re eligible. Here’s what you’ll do:

1. Confirm basic eligibility criteria

2. Enter personal details

3. Download the Card

Note: If you select to get the voucher via email, it will require you to “activate the card” first. For some reason, you’ll be asked the same screening questions again (are you 18, do you live in the US, are you on commercial insurance, what’s the Card ID #) before the card will work.

• Activate via Call: Call 866–923–1953.
• Activate via Text: Text START to 54559 to activate card (Note this didn’t actually work for me — I wound up just calling, which was easy enough).

4. Get a prescription from your doctor and use the voucher card at your pharmacy

Here’s what the downloaded voucher will look like:

Getting Refills

The Baqsimi Savings Card is available through the end of 2020 for those with commercial insurance to obtain 2 Baqsimi one-packs or 1 two-packs, for as little as $25. That will be good for 12 months, meaning the card will be good for a year and can be used as many times as you get a new Baqsimi prescription.

As of now, the advertised price for refills are the same as existing glucagon (list price of $280 per tube), so this could mean a nice chunk of savings, at least until insurance starts covering it reliably.

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