So just like many people, I have no health insurance. I am a Type I diabetic who has been paying out of pocket for almost a year for diabetic supplies. As many know, these supplies are not cheap. I did not want to elect COBRA because it's much more than the cost of actually purchasing the supplies with cash.
Does anyone have any advice as to how to try to reduce some of the costs of paying out of pocket?
I have used Amazon for test strips and that seems to help, but it's the insulin and the insulin pump supplies that are the real kickers.
Some drug companies have programs to provide free or reduced $ drugs to people w/o insurance depending on income. I'd contact the company that makes whatever insulin you use.
Also, have you asked you dr about getting any free samples?
Good luck -- hope you can get back on insurance soon!
I will be in the same boat soon. I recently graduated college and I'm covered by my parents' insurance right now, but I can't find a full-time job, so I'll have no health insurance starting in a few months. Thanks for posting this topic, I'll be needing some tips too!
Ask your endo for insulin samples. Our endo gave us a ton last year. Almost a year's supply. Not sure about pump supplies though.  Couldn't  hurt to ask the pump company.
Just a note for anyone who might end up in this boat:Â
Keep in mind that if you elect COBRA, and keep paying out the nose for that insurance until you can again get coverage, then you will immediately be covered under your new insurance. However, if you go for a period of time with no insurance, diabetes (and anything else chronic) is a pre-existing condition, and they won't cover the supplies for some period of time. So if you're only going to be job-less for two months, it is worth it to get COBRA, even though it's super expensive.Â
Samples from your dr are a great place to start. The pump companies will sometimes be able to work with you to get your supplies to you at a discounted cost - call the customer service line and see what they can do. and pray for health care reform.Â
I emailed the JDRF and they gave me some resources you can use:
There are pharmaceutical assistance programs offered directly by some drug companies for people with type 1 diabetes who have little or no insurance to help offset the cost of supplies or prescription medications.
You can try contacting the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (https://www.pparx.org or 1-888-477-2669) and/or the Together Rx Access Card (http://www.togetherrxaccess.com/Tx/jsp/home.jsp or 1-800-444-4106).
Hi Robin,
That can be stressful. To echo and add to some ideas:
A lot can depend on your finances. If you are drawing a high unemployment, have cash savings, etc. it may affect things that are income based, like a few of the previous suggestions. I think it’s actually illegal to at least an annual fine if you do not have health insurance in the USA. And, because of that, there are a lot of ways to get coverage, even for the struggling compared to a previous lifestyle, yet not impoverished enough for Medicaid. In some states, the agency that covers Medicaid also allows for patients with pre-existing conditions to “buy” into some kind of collective insurance, like a private cash paid insurance. I’m not sure if that makes sense. I believe, yet am not certain, if you try to walk into your local insurance agent’s office and want to buy private insurance, you would be denied due to a pre-existing condition. Therefore, this collective/hybrid/government option exists for you to buy into with a pre-existing condition and enjoy its health insurance coverage. There may be income restrictions with that, too, though. And, most people that would qualify for the medical companies financial assistance programs, would qualify for some kind of government health insurance program, yet you can’t have both, usually. Also, you probably calculated this, yet if you can do your COBRA even short-term, the large payment may be less than trying to patch together your diabetes supplies and even medical visits/labs, etc. via cash purchases. And, samples from clinics are considered “starters” to see how a patient responds to a treatment before investing in a treatment. There’s probably too many struggling people to have that be used as a safety net. You could “try” different brands and see if that’s an option, too. I also believe there may be generic rapid insulin now available for your pump, yet it may not be at a reduced price yet–might be worth a try. Also, sometimes there are “rebates”/patient coupons on insulin–looking at the medical company’s website or asking your clinic may help with that. And, this might not be a correct thing to do, yet I’ve heard of people getting other patients’ supplies at support group meetings. Attending one might help you come up with other ideas–if you haven’t already, many seem to have people who are very friendly and eager to be helpful. Test strips can also be pricey, and although not as convenient for complete pump and sensor utilization, there are store brands/distributor brands that are significantly less expensive. Lastly, for what it’s worth, I and, well, Suze Orman the financial guru, were surprised that Starbucks offered health insurance to employees, I believe even part-time workers. Good luck. Stress is terrible for anyone’s health and happiness, but it’s particularly difficult for a T1.
Double-edged sword, I suppose. Because there was a fine, affordable options to avoid the fine were also provided, particularly for those who were not allowed to buy into private insurance previously. Not sure of the current state of affairs. It’s difficult to stay optimistic, even without staying up to date with current events. Good luck!
As I recall, the first few years of “affordable options” was $500/month for unemployed single persons with zero income. It’s still around that amount. It was never affordable. The “act” was set up to take over health care as part of a larger socialistic agenda to have government take over all private businesses. But back to Diabetes. . .
Isn’t one box of infusion sets like $200, though, before you even pay for the $250 doctor’s appointment to get the Rx and/or $300 required labs, $150 vial of insulin, $50 reservoirs, $80 sensor, $400 test strips, and that’s if you already have the $4000 insulin pump and $1200 CGM system and don’t experience a cavity, urinary tract infection, walking pneumonia, or any other common to more extreme ailment along the way for that month?? MDI can be less expensive in the short run, yet my kind of disastrous glucose swings makes it quite spendy (and painful) fairly quickly. I’m not sure what the monthly cost would be if it were taken out of taxes and citizens provided a universal insurance. I believe Medicare runs about $800/month before $100’s worth of co-payments, co-insurances, and vision/dental supplements, etc. It’s pricey to try to be responsible for your own health, as well as not forwarding your unpaid medical debt to other consumers’ premiums, etc.
I am a new diabetic (diagnosed DKA in the hospital March 12 of this year), but I don’t have health insurance. I bought BCBS on my own for me and my 3 (at the time) kids. My premium was $450 a month. After the “affordable” care act (Obamacare) My deductible doubled and my premium was $860 a month. ($200 more than my mortgage). When the next increase put my premium at over $1000 a month, I dropped my insurance and signed up for Christian Healthcare Ministries. They don’t cover my insulin. However they paid all of my hospital stay. I felt it was not fair for us to choose between health insurance and food for my family.
The hospital worked with the pharmaceutical companies to get my insulin for free for a year. After that, my doctor can get my insulin at a steep discount as long as I use a particular pharmacy. There is no way I can afford $500 a month for insulin. I feel bad enough paying for my Libre (Although my hubby has repeatedly told me he is willing to pay any amount to have me happy and healthy)
