Hello guys, welcome back to my blog.
Diabetes management is more than a health balancing act. It is also a financial and mental huddle for many patients. Purchasing diabetic supplies, in addition to medical appointments, pills, and insulin, may empty your bank account. The costs of everything from blood glucose monitors and testing strips to insulin pumps and lancets – and much more – mount up. I just turned 35, and I am frugal in healthcare. My annual cost for health insurance through my employer is $432. This spending is very low compared to $4,800 yearly for an average insulin patient who has insurance.
Here are a few problems that patients encounter with diabetic supplies
- There are so many brands, and it often gets confusing.
- Lack of education on proper usage. If you throw a new technology at an elderly patient who doesn’t even have an iPhone, it can be very challenging to understand how to use it.
- Different meters come with many kinds of test strips. Supply shortage on one brand can discourage the patient from continuing to monitor their blood sugar.
- Most patients don’t even have health insurance, and they must pay out of their pockets. This is the most challenging issue to tackle. The patient often cheap out and ignore the doctor’s orders
There are, however, methods to reduce your costs. Here are some ideas for reducing the cost of your diabetic supplies!
How to Cut the Costs of Diabetic Supplies?
Insurance: If you can afford health insurance, get one. In California, if you have low income, check out Covered California and fill out the application to enroll. Insurance carriers often cover the cost of a particular blood glucose monitor and accompanying supplies. Contact your provider if you’re unsure about what your health insurance covers.
Manufacturer Coupons: Manufacturer coupons for medication and testing materials may be found in various ways. You may also shop for diabetic supplies online at well-known sites such as Amazon and via mail-order pharmacies and medical supply websites. Test strips for your blood glucose monitor are one item you may save money on if you shop around. Here are a few websites that enable you to search for the lowest price and, if a coupon card is available, will provide a link to the website.
Alternatively, go straight to a manufacturer’s website to look for coupons.
Seek Assistance from Diabetes Educator: If all of this bargain shopping seems a bit daunting, make an appointment with a qualified diabetes educator in your area. “All of the discounts are known to the certified diabetes educator. It’s their responsibility to keep up with the newest supply and special offers. You can find a Diabetes Education Program in your area by going to DiabetesEducator.org
Request samples: These may be obtained via diabetic supply businesses, certified diabetes educators, or physicians.
Don’t try to skip necessary blood sugar check: If you think that saving test strips and testing only on main meals will make the supplies last longer, your blood sugar will go wild. It ends up costing you more money in the long run. A trip to the hospital or an urgent care will cost you a day of work and a toll on your mental health.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring Device: Last but not least, this new technology is absolutely a game-changer for diabetic patients. This FDA-approved device helps the patient keep a closer eye on blood glucose, track your blood sugar day and night, and collect your blood sugar every 5 to 15 minutes. The device has a sensor that can be placed under your belly skin or attached to your tricep. Patients can log into their phones to check their blood sugar at any time. Anyone can use this device. The cost ranges from $100 up to $400 but it definitely will pay off in the long run. You can find these devices here at:
- DiabeticWarehouse.org:FREESTYLE LIBRE 14 DAY SENSOR – $119
- Dexcom (the G4 and G5, which were discontinued in June 2020, and the G6) – $449
- Medtronic (Guardian Connect and Guardian Sensor 3) – $240
- Senseonics Eversense: you can read about the PROs and CONs here
In A Nutshell
While it is no secret that diabetes supplies and prescriptions may be costly, there are several methods to save costs and find the best value. Patient aid programs, manufacturer discounts, and education are excellent places to begin saving money.
I hope you find this blog valuable to you and your love one. If you like it, please share and let me know in the comment section below.
