Diabetes is a costly condition to manage. In 2017, one of every seven dollars spent on healthcare in the United States was devoted to managing diabetes. According To the American Diabetes Association, medication and supplies accounted for 45% of costs. Fortunately, programs are in place to help you obtain your diabetes drugs and other goods at a reasonable price.
Pharmaceutical firms, pharmacies, the federal government, and nonprofit organizations run diabetes management programs. The following tips will help you save on your supplies.
Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
Pharmaceutical assistance programs are services provided by specific organizations to assist people with paying for their prescription drugs. Most manufacturers of diabetes treatments and insulin provide their programs. These initiatives are intended for individuals who do not have insurance or who earn less money. To apply, you must satisfy these criteria. Enrollees in Medicare Part D may apply for some programs.
Drug and Coupon Cards
Even if your insurance covers your prescription, you may still face high copayments or coinsurance charges. That is why producers also assist those with insurance.
Coupon cards can help you save money on your medication copays. Coupon cards from all of the significant producers are available. Information about coupon cards may be found by going to the links above to each firm’s patient support website.
Mail-order pharmacies
Mail-order pharmacies can help you save money. You may get a great bargain by filling your prescriptions this way, especially if you order more than one month at once. Using a mail-order pharmacy saves you money depending on your insurance coverage. You’ll also benefit from having your medications delivered to your home.
Pharmacy Loyalty Programs
You can also save money by using a pharmacy’s loyalty program. These programs are often completely free to join. You could receive coupons only available to members of a loyalty program or earn savings with regular purchases.
Government Assistance
Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs are state programs that assist people with low incomes to pay for their medications. Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs aren’t available in some states, and the criteria vary from one state to the next.
You may check for a program in your state on the Medicare website.
Community Health Centers
Community health centers provide medical care to those who cannot afford it. Sliding-scale payment methods are available through community health centers. Many community health centers have pharmacies or medication on hand to assist you in obtaining inexpensive or free prescriptions. They may also be able to connect you with other social and local services that might help you pay for your diabetes management.
Contact a Diabetes Care and Education Professional.
A diabetes care and learning specialist is a type of healthcare provider that can help you with your diabetes management. They may be able to direct you to low-cost treatment and prescription assistance in your region.
They can also help you with your diabetes management. They may teach you health-related adjustments that might aid in the reduction of pills. This might lead to you needing to spend less money on diabetes medications.
Consider a Generic Drugs
Generics are frequently far less expensive. The generic version of medicine may be hundreds of dollars cheaper than the brand-name counterpart. If you obtain insurance, your copay for a generic medication may be significantly lower. You might want to look into generic alternatives if you’re currently on name-brand medications. In most situations, switching to the generic is safe and effective as the original brand.
Use Combination Medication
A combination therapy, according to its name, is a mix of two medicines. Because this sort of medication has two purposes rather than just one, you’ll need one prescription instead than two. Switching to a generic medication may save you money. You can’t do it independently, like changing to a generic drug. Inquire about the status of your medications and whether there are any alternatives to taking them all at once.
Get a 90-Day Supply of Medication
The cost of a 90-day supply is sometimes less than that of a 30-day supply. Although not all pills are available in 90-day vials, many are. Ask your doctor to write your prescriptions for 90 days rather than 30. A mail-order pharmacy or a traditional store can provide you with a 90-day supply.
Consider Extra Help
If you have Medicare and are covered by a Medicare Part D plan, you might be able to get extra assistance paying for your prescriptions. Medicare Extra Help is a program that helps low-income persons who receive Social Security benefits afford their medications. You can apply for the program through the Social Security Administration’s website.
Edward James Letko is a medical device entrepreneur spearheading the development of diabetes supplies that are affordable and accessible for all. By creating products that work with existing technology, he has simplified blood sugar testing for people worldwide. His innovations have enabled people with diabetes to live fuller lives while managing their disease. With continued success, Mr. Letko’s company may soon become a household name, providing quality diabetic care at an economical price.
