- The Jardiance Patient Assistance Program is run by the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares (BI Cares) Foundation and can provide Jardiance free to eligible patients — a benefit worth roughly $7,800 a year.
- To qualify you must generally be a U.S. resident, lack drug coverage for empagliflozin, and have household income at or below 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $62,400 for one person in 2026) — verify the current threshold, as programs vary.
- If you have commercial insurance instead, the Jardiance Savings Card can lower your cost to as little as $10 a month; it cannot be used with Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, or VA benefits.
- New for 2026: under Medicare drug price negotiation, Jardiance's negotiated maximum fair price is about $197 for a 30-day supply for Part D enrollees — a major change for Medicare beneficiaries.
- There is still no FDA-approved generic empagliflozin, and analysts do not expect one before roughly 2029, so brand-based assistance remains important.
- Apply through your prescriber with proof of income and residency; call BI Cares at 800-556-8317 to confirm current forms, timelines, and eligibility before you rely on any figure here.
Jardiance (empagliflozin), a leading SGLT2 inhibitor for type 2 diabetes, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease, has long carried a retail price above $600 per month, with cash prices at many pharmacies ranging from roughly $550 to $900. For patients without adequate coverage, that cost is unsustainable. The Jardiance Patient Assistance Program, run by the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares (BI Cares) Foundation, can provide the medication at no cost to qualifying patients, and a separate savings card helps those with commercial insurance. Understanding how to access these programs — and what changed for Medicare patients in 2026 — can transform your ability to manage your condition affordably. Program terms and figures change, so treat the numbers below as a starting point and verify current details before applying.
What the Jardiance Patient Assistance Program Covers
The Jardiance Patient Assistance Program supplies Jardiance (empagliflozin) tablets free of charge to eligible patients. The program covers both the 10 mg and 25 mg strengths, as well as Synjardy and Synjardy XR (empagliflozin/metformin combination tablets). The medication is generally delivered to your physician’s office or a participating pharmacy, and for eligible patients the benefit is worth roughly $7,800 per year.
This program is part of the Boehringer Ingelheim Cares Foundation, a charitable program that helps older adults and lower-income patients afford Boehringer Ingelheim medications they otherwise could not. If you take additional qualifying Boehringer Ingelheim products, your prescriber may be able to submit a single application covering them. Note that although Jardiance was co-promoted through the Boehringer Ingelheim–Eli Lilly diabetes alliance, the patient assistance program itself is administered by the BI Cares Foundation, not Lilly Cares.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Jardiance Patient Assistance Program, you generally must meet several criteria. You must be a U.S. resident or citizen. You typically must lack prescription drug insurance that covers Jardiance — including Medicare Part D, Medicaid, VA benefits, or commercial insurance covering the drug. And your total household income must fall at or below the program’s threshold, commonly cited as 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (some Boehringer programs use a lower cutoff, so confirm the current limit for your situation).
For 2026, 400% of the Federal Poverty Level is approximately $62,400 for an individual, $84,480 for a household of two, and $129,600 for a family of four, based on the HHS poverty guidelines. These are gross income figures. If you have insurance but your plan does not cover Jardiance, or places it on a specialty tier with prohibitively high copays, contact the program to discuss your situation, as exceptions are sometimes granted on a case-by-case basis.
How to Apply
Your healthcare provider initiates the application. The BI Cares enrollment form is available through Boehringer Ingelheim or by calling BI Cares at 800-556-8317. The form requires your prescriber’s information, your diagnosis, the prescribed medication and dosage, and your financial details. Completed applications are typically submitted to the Boehringer Cares Patient Assistance Program (PO Box 99055, Jeffersontown, KY 40296) by the method the program specifies.
You will usually need to provide proof of income, such as your most recent tax return, two recent pay stubs, or a Social Security benefit statement, along with proof of U.S. residency (a driver’s license or utility bill). Your doctor signs the form to verify medical necessity, then submits it. Processing commonly takes about 2 to 4 weeks. If approved, you receive an initial supply (often up to about 90 days), and refills require your physician to confirm continued medical need. Annual reapplication with updated financial documents is generally required to stay enrolled. Confirm the exact documentation and timelines with BI Cares, since requirements can change.
The Jardiance Savings Card
If you have commercial insurance but face high copays, the Jardiance Savings Card may be a better fit than the PAP. With this card, eligible commercially insured patients can pay as little as $10 per month for a one- to three-month supply of Jardiance, subject to a maximum annual benefit. The card is available at Jardiance.com.
Important: the savings card cannot be used by patients with government insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, or VA). It is strictly for those with private or employer-sponsored health plans. If you are a Medicare beneficiary, the options below — including the new negotiated Medicare price and Medicare Extra Help — are the relevant routes instead.
New for 2026: The Negotiated Medicare Price for Jardiance
A major change took effect on January 1, 2026. Under the Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program created by the Inflation Reduction Act, Jardiance is one of the first drugs with a negotiated “maximum fair price,” reported at about $197 for a 30-day supply for Medicare Part D enrollees. For many older adults, that negotiated price — combined with the Medicare Part D out-of-pocket cap of $2,100 in 2026 — meaningfully lowers what they pay, and it is why the manufacturer PAP generally excludes people who already have Part D coverage. If you are on Medicare, check your plan’s formulary and your share of that negotiated price before pursuing other options, and consider Extra Help Medicare if your income is limited.
Jardiance for Heart Failure and Kidney Disease
The FDA has expanded Jardiance well beyond diabetes. It is approved for adults with heart failure (including both reduced and preserved ejection fraction) and for chronic kidney disease, which means many more patients may now need affordable access. The Patient Assistance Program covers Jardiance regardless of the approved indication, so heart failure and kidney patients apply under the same guidelines.
The landmark EMPEROR trials published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that empagliflozin reduced the combined risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure by roughly a quarter compared with placebo. Given that heart failure hospitalizations frequently cost well over $15,000 per stay, affordable access to a preventive medication like Jardiance can matter both clinically and financially. Your clinician can advise whether Jardiance is appropriate for your specific condition.
Alternative Savings Options
If you do not qualify for the Jardiance Patient Assistance Program, several alternatives exist. Prescription discount cards from platforms like GoodRx can reduce the retail cash price substantially at participating pharmacies — often into roughly the $250 to $400 range, though savings vary by pharmacy and change often. Note that, as of 2026, there is still no FDA-approved generic empagliflozin in the U.S., and analysts do not expect one before about 2029 because of Boehringer Ingelheim’s patent estate; do not count on a cheap generic in the near term.
The 340B pharmacy program offers discounted medications to patients treated at qualifying community health centers, hospitals, and clinics. If you receive care at a Federally Qualified Health Center, ask whether they participate in 340B. State Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs may also provide support depending on your location and income level. And for Medicare beneficiaries, the negotiated price described above plus Extra Help are often the biggest levers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does approval for the Jardiance Patient Assistance Program take?
Most applications are processed in about 2 to 4 weeks. If you need medication sooner, call BI Cares at 800-556-8317 to ask about options; some providers keep sample supplies on hand to bridge the gap during the application period.
Can I use the program if I have Medicare?
Medicare Part D beneficiaries are generally ineligible for the PAP. However, if you have Medicare but no Part D or Medicare Advantage drug coverage, you may qualify — contact the program to confirm. Many Medicare enrollees will now benefit more from Jardiance’s negotiated Medicare price and, if eligible, Extra Help.
What if my income is slightly above the limit?
The program reviews applications on a case-by-case basis. If your income marginally exceeds the threshold but you have significant medical expenses, explain this in your application. Hardship exceptions are sometimes granted, but they are not guaranteed.
Does the program cover Synjardy?
Yes. The Jardiance Patient Assistance Program covers Synjardy (empagliflozin/metformin) and Synjardy XR in available strengths. The application process is generally the same as applying for Jardiance alone.
Is there a generic version of Jardiance yet?
No. As of 2026, there is no FDA-approved generic empagliflozin available at U.S. pharmacies, and one is not widely expected before roughly 2029 due to active patents. Until then, brand-based assistance programs, discount cards, and the negotiated Medicare price are the main ways to lower cost.
Get the Medication You Need
The Jardiance Patient Assistance Program exists to ensure that cost does not stand between you and effective treatment for type 2 diabetes, heart failure, or kidney disease. Talk to your healthcare provider about starting the application, or call BI Cares at 800-556-8317 to learn more. If you are on Medicare, check the new negotiated price with your plan first. For a broader overview of prescription savings strategies, explore our healthcare costs guide.
Patient assistance programs and savings cards are affordability programs, not health insurance, and this article is general education, not medical or financial advice. Eligibility rules, income thresholds, savings caps, and prices change often and vary by program and plan. Verify current terms directly with the BI Cares Foundation, Jardiance.com, or your Medicare plan before you rely on any figure here, and talk to your prescriber about the right treatment for you.
Sources
- Boehringer Ingelheim — BI Cares Patient Assistance Program (eligibility, covered products, application, phone 800-556-8317)
- Boehringer Ingelheim / Jardiance.com — Jardiance Savings Card terms (commercial insurance, as low as $10 per month)
- CMS — Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Program, negotiated maximum fair prices effective January 1, 2026 (Jardiance about $197 per 30-day supply)
- Drugs.com — Generic Jardiance availability (no FDA-approved generic; expected around 2029 or later)
- HHS — 2026 Federal Poverty Level guidelines (400% FPL figures)
- New England Journal of Medicine — EMPEROR-Reduced and EMPEROR-Preserved empagliflozin heart failure trials