19 Comments
Have you ever participated in a Patient Assistance Program to reduce the cost of your insulin or other diabetes supplies?
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I fortunately have not have to use these programs. My insurance over the years (a number of different ones) has always covered my insulin, pens, needles, strips, pump supplies, sensors etc at a straight co-pay. I did not have to meet a deductible for anything. The only situation I would look into using one is if I needed an insulin that was not my insurance company’s preferred brand. I have always used Humalog and that is what my current insurance prefers.
I am grateful that my Medicare Advantage plan covers all of my supplies 100%. Insulin has a cap of $35 copay per month, which is not a problem for me.
Although I selected “No, I’m not familiar with Patient Assistance Programs.” that’s not strictly true. I am aware of Patient Assistance Programs but I have no cause to use them.
I live in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland where I don’t have to pay for my medical supplies. This is taken care of through our NHS (National Health Service), which is resourced via direct taxation from all working people.
Diabetes patients that receive treatment … either by oral medications or insulin do not have to pay any out of pocket expenses. i.e. medications, test strips, glucose testing paraphernalia, etc. is all paid for via our NHS.
No, but I have kind of acted as one when a recently dx’d T1 friend hit the “donut hole” and was having to choose between insulin and paying her bills. I was able to give her a couple of vials from my Zombie Apocalypse supply stash, and also taught her about the necessity of hoarding insulin and how to go about it. Because the US healthcare system, y’know, sucks.
I guess I’m lucky not to have needed assistance, but it’s getting more expensive all the time affording the things needed to treat my diabetes. $365 for a bottle of humalog, wish they were kidding me!
In the UK we all use the NHS (National health service) which we all contribute to through the tax system.
I answered no, but my endocrinologist & I have been trying to get me on the Novo Nordisk program, for a year now.
Back in 2011 I was forced to apply for the patient assistance program due to my employer not offering insurance but yet making too much money working p/t to qualify for government medical assistance. It was a lifesaver until my husband secured a job with benefits.
In the 1980’s I briefly used a Patient Assistance Program from Lily to reduce the cost of Humalog.
My pharmacy has been applying a coupon for the insulin the past 2-3 orders. I have been getting a 3 month supply of Humalog for $35 instead of $75. That is 6 vials for me.
When I lost my job in 2012, I tried getting on one of these, but back then there weren’t many such options available and the two I found both said that even though I lost my job in early April and was unable to find employment or income since the job loss, my income from January to April was already too much income to allow me to qualify for any patient assistance for any of my supplies!
My insurance has been paying all but $25 per vile or pen. Now that I’m on a pump and cgm my insurance allows a 3 month supply.
I would love to know about patient assistance programs especially any that covered Dexcom or Omnipod because my insurance coverage for these is not available.
Qualified accidentally because insurance company would only cover a bolus insulin that my body rejects.
In 2008 I started using Apidra and got onto their PAP until I started buying online from Canada which was an even bigger discount.
Used the Medtronic system 4 years ago but inheriting an old dog I had to choose her meds or supplies for the CGM. She survived 4 more years. Last year they offered the newest system with a warranty, I opted for the pump but declined the CGM. After a few phone calls and forms the total monthly out of pocket costs are less than the supplies for the pump alone. Was told with my income I’d have qualified back than.
Now to see about a phone for the app.
I use the program with Afrezza, and get a 1-month supply for only $15.
I have used a patient assistant program for prescriptions other than diabetes supplies.
I have not used the patient assistant programs because I do not qualify for them, however I do use the savings cards (used like coupons or rebates) that the pharmaceutical companies offer which cover a lot of my copay costs for insulin. There is a difference between those two things, so I answered the question with “No, I am aware of these programs but I haven’t used them.”