Diabetic Low Income Medical Help

Having Diabetes can be a very expensive. In fact, according to the American Diabetes Association Americans spend $11,744 a year on diabetes related health care expenses. Everything associated with treating this disease is expensive. There are Glucometer's and test strips that can literally cost you hundreds of dollars. Not to mention the visits to the physician or hospitalization due to exacerbation of the illness. For people living on a low income budgeting for these essentials can be extremely difficult.

Insurance Coverage

• Most private insurance companies offer some kind of assistance with diabetic medication and equipment. Medicare and Medicaid also offer assistance for the medication and equipment. The website for The National Diabetes Clearinghouse reports that:
  • Medicare Part B offers help with: diabetes screening tests for people at risk of developing diabetes, diabetes self management training and diabetes supplies, diabetes self-management training, diabetes supplies such as glucose monitors, test strips, and lancets and insulin pumps and insulin if used with an insulin pump.
  • Medicaid--offers coverage for physician visits, ER visits and hospital admissions.
  • Private Insurance--most have coverage for any medical visit, hospital admissions and ER visits but you must pay a co-pay for your portion of the cost of this medical care.
  Medical Care can still be difficult to afford with high co-pay's, and the cost of daily living rocketing skyward. For those without insurance having a diabetes diagnosis can cause additional stress.

Diabetes Equipment and Supplies

• Diabetic Equipment and Supplies
  Diabetic equipment is rather expensive. Finding ways to get these supplies can be difficult. Many cities have health clinics that are either free or run by larger hospital systems. These clinics sometimes partner with diabetic supply companies and provide free equipment to diabetes patients. The Patient Assistance Program lists some additional programs:
  • Abbott Pharmaceuticals--offers direct assistance for patients needing help with getting diabetic supplies. You can call 1-800-222-6885 or go to the website at www.abbottpatientassistancefoundation.org
  • Islets of Hope Program--offers a database of diabetic assistance programs listed by states. It also gives information about overseas programs. The website for this program is: www.isletsofhope.com/diabetes/assistance-programs/main_1.html
  • BD Insulin Syringe Program -- allows physicians to order free insulin syringes and pen needle samples. The website is http://www.bddiabetes.com/us/hcp/

Diabetic Medication

• Medicare D, private insurance and Medicaid all cover the main cost of Diabetic Medications. However, if you are without insurance one of the best ways to get free medications is to go through a drug company that offers assistance. Thanks to The Patient Assistance Program you can access an entire database of these programs by going to the website http://www.rxassist.org . These applications require a physician's signature but they are completely free. There are also medication assistance programs from pharmacies and retail stores that offer some medications for as low as $4. These stores and pharmacies are: Wal-Mart, Target, K Mart and Walgreens. CVS also offers a program called the Pharmacy Health Savings Pass.