Getting Financial Help for Diabetes Care

By Jane Farrell

Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with diabetes, or have been managing the condition for a while, you know how expensive the health-care cost can be. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes has two fact sheets that can help: Financial Help for Diabetes Care and Financial Help for Treatment of Kidney Failure.  You also can ask your health care team about sources that may offer assistance in your community, such as the following (these sites are not part of the NIDDK but are included on the agency’s website):

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance website lists more than 475 programs that help pay for medications. Many of these programs are provided by the drug companies that produce medications. People can find programs and apply for help by calling 1-888-477-2669.

NeedyMeds is a nonprofit group that helps people find programs that help pay for medications.  The group’s website allows the user to search a list of programs by medication or manufacturer name. Some of the forms to apply are online.

RxAssist provides information about drug company programs, state programs, discount drug cards, copay help, and more.

Rx Outreach is a nonprofit pharmacy that provides affordable medications to people in need. The Rx Outreach website provides information about the medications offered and how to apply.

The National Council on Aging provides benefit information for seniors with limited income and resources.

Additionally, Medicare covers certain supplies for people with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes: a glucose testing monitor, blood glucose test strips, lancets, spring-powered devices for lancets, and glucose control solutions. Some frequency limitations may apply. Medicare does not cover insulin and syringes.

For more information about Medicare coverage related to diabetes, call the Medicare Hotline toll free at 1–800–MEDICARE and read Medicare’s Coverage of Diabetes Supplies & Services, a booklet from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.