If I paid for all my diabetic expenses out of pocket each month and bought all my supplies and medications at large pharmacy chain stores, I could easily go broke. Here’s what I’m talking about.
Metformin HCl, 1,000 mg tablet (60 count):
$31.97
GlipiZide XL, 5 mg tablet (90 count):
$32.97
BD Insulin Syringe, Ultra-Fine II Short Needle, 31g, ½ cc (100 count):
$38.95 ($11.70 a month)
FreeStyle Lite test strips:
$109.99
Byetta 10 mcg/0.04 ml pen:
$239.55
Lantus insulin, 100 unit/ml solution, 10 ml vial (two):
184.52
Alcohol swabs:
$2.49
BD Ultra-Fine III Short Pen Needles:
$33.99
The tally comes to $647.18* on the open market.
Fortunately my employer-provided insurance substantially reduces my costs. I pay $30 each for a month’s worth of insulin and Byetta, and $5 a month each for glipizide and metformin.
But I pay full price for the rest. After insurance that’s $228.17 out of pocket each month. Because of this, I often take shortcuts to lower my out-of-pocket costs.
The high price of test strips means I don’t check my blood sugar as often as I should. At more than $1 a strip, it’s too costly to check four or five times a day.
I also reuse syringes. This is highly discouraged by physicians and needle manufacturers, who put magnified photos of overused, blunted needles at my pharmacy’s checkout couhttp://www.typepad.com/t/app/weblog/post#nter. This strategy might save a few dollars, but trust me, it’s a foolish—and painful—thing to do. (Used needles tend to require more force to penetrate the scar tissue on my belly.)
I’m trying to be a better diabetic, so in addition to following my prescription regimen more closely, I’m also looking for ways to manage my costs. Here are a few tricks I’m trying.
1. Shopping at Wal-Mart. If I buy glipizide and metformin there, my monthly costs drop from $5 to $4 per prescription through Wally World’s generic drug program. That will save me $24 a year.
2. Getting mail-order discounts. By taking advantage of my insurer’s discounts, Byetta and Lantus prescription costs drop to $20 each through mail order ($60 for a 90-day supply). That’s a savings of $20 a month.
3. Changing my blood-sugar monitor. If I switch to a generic model, I could cut my costs in half. A 100-count box of strips for Walgreen’s generic model costs only $52.99, versus $109.99 for my current brand. And I can get the monitor itself for a one-time cost of just $17.99.
4. Losing weight. This may not sound like a cost-cutting strategy, but studies show that insulin-resistance can go down with weight loss. Getting rid of excess weight may cut my dependence on drugs and reduce my expenses.
I can’t calculate what weight loss will mean to my wallet, but the other three will save me $77 a month. I can think of lots of things I’d rather be using that money for—healthy rewards for my successful Smackdown, perhaps?
*Prices are from Drugstore.com, Walgreens.com, and www.homecaredelivered.com.
Comments (11)
http://adventuresincardiology.wordpress.com/
I am Canadian, so the monthly visit to the Doctor and the blood tests are free. Various charities (Provincial lotteries) provide my strips, insulin and metformin. I am on a disability pension and if not for the government, would be destitute. Canada is not a Socialist country, it is a merciful democracy, which is something Americans could adopt from us, along with Peace-keeping forces instead of an army trained only to kill attack and defend.
P.S. We bury our soldiers with pride, ceremony, dignity, acknowledgment, photos, flags at half-mast and love in spite of our current extreme right wing government. We care for their families when they cannot, and there are no half measures in this either.
I am an American and I know of many Canadians that have chosen to come to America to get better and faster medical help. As for Canada’s peace-keeping forces…let’s see how this force reacts if 2 planes crash into a building killing thousands of innocent Canadians. Until it happens to you and your country don’t assume anything.
WHERE CAN I GET AFORTABLE MEDICAL/PRESCRIPTION HEALTH COVERAGE, I’M 52YRS OLD FEMALE WITH TYPE II DIABETES WITH ONLY PART-TIME JOB AND HAVE TO PAY FOR MY MEDICATION OUT OF POCKET, CAN YOU HELP ME.
e-mail rosemarylira@comcast.net
ROSEMARY LIRA
1033 TEMPE CIRCLE
HANFORD, CA. 93230
559-410-8517
Just a suggestion – you can get test strips on eBay from reputable sellers. I also got $20 off coupons for my test strips – only paid $1 plus 39 cents for shipping for three $20 off coupons — not bad!
I was close to being on the same medication the one exception was a blood pressure pill. I have lost 15 pounds just since Feb. and have stopped taking the medication my blood sugars are almost normal. I only need to lose another 10 to be within the healthy weight for my BMI. I would never stop excercising since seeing the results and feeling so much better. I have saved money on medicine and food. I keep to a healthy diet as well. The savings to my pocket book is great, but the years I have given myself back are even better.
This site tells about natural/alternative remedies. What works based on scientific trials data. http://www.rvita.com/conditions/diabetes.html
Perhaps these therapies could save you and help you control diabetes in a better way.
Thanks, Sean.
I featured this bit in my Weekly Nuggets section at http://www.diabetesmine.com.
Hey Neil,
Congrats on the weight loss—and on saving money. Of course, even if you still have to keep taking the same drugs, losing weight and exercise will help smooth out your blood sugars and save you money in the long term!
Sean
Cari–
That’s an idea I have not explored. Have you tried ebay for diabetes supplies? I’ve bought just about everything else there!
Sean
Hey Amy,
You have an awesome blog. Thanks for stopping by here. And for featuring me…
sean