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  • Activity
    • 8 hours, 30 minutes ago
      Janis Senungetuk likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Medicare requires me to see my endo every 90 days if I want them to approve my insulin pump supplies....despite my very good control. Otherwise, my endo would be happy to see me twice a year. An example of Medicare being "penny-wise and pound-foolish" by paying for "medically-unnecessary" office visit costs.
    • 13 hours, 7 minutes ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      In July, I went on the only Medicare plan in my area that covered Afrezza. For 2024, no one is covering it. Like others, hate these formulary decisions by the Insurance providers.
    • 15 hours, 58 minutes ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Schush! I know it's supposed to be 4 but since my Endo follows my Dex and I hit an A1c of 5.4 with 0 Hypos I'm happy. Just lost my wife and will be moving further from my Endo and hope TeleVisits will do as I will also start visiting a Gerontologist.
    • 16 hours, 24 minutes ago
      Bekki Weston likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Yes, I HATE FORMULARIES and how they control what medications I take, as opposed to what my doctors prescribed.
    • 16 hours, 26 minutes ago
      Bekki Weston likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I answered NO for 2023 but in 2024 I will have to switch from Humalog to Novolog.
    • 16 hours, 57 minutes ago
      Bill Williams likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Four, because Medicare. I was fine going 2x/yr for decades before that. But Medicare doesn't care what your Dr thinks. Rules is rules.
    • 18 hours, 6 minutes ago
      Kristi Warmecke likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      With Medicare's change to the cost of insulin, my Part D plan dropped Novolog. $35 "limit" only works if insurers have your medication on their formulary.
    • 18 hours, 19 minutes ago
      Kristi Warmecke likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I was with Caremark now with Optimum and not a fan but was not a fan of Caremark in the beginning. Not a fan of mail order insulin! Opimum (still not sure it is spelled right) made me change from Novalog to Humalog. Both are the same, sure, but why should a RX company say what insulin I should be taking. Is that not my endocrinologist job? Would they not know what is best for me? Kind of burns me up how healthcare has gone in the past 5 to 10 years, miss the old days of knowing your pharmacist by first name and talking to them about the latest advancements in diabetic care at the conner pharmacy. Patient is no longer a factor in the equation. sorry for the rant.
    • 18 hours, 19 minutes ago
      Kristi Warmecke likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Lispro, aspart, and glulisine are also FDA-approved for pump use (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6695255/). These are the generic versions of Humalog, Novolog and Apidra, respectively.
    • 18 hours, 36 minutes ago
      jo likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      This past year my doctor appts were my new social life!
    • 18 hours, 36 minutes ago
      jo likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Schush! I know it's supposed to be 4 but since my Endo follows my Dex and I hit an A1c of 5.4 with 0 Hypos I'm happy. Just lost my wife and will be moving further from my Endo and hope TeleVisits will do as I will also start visiting a Gerontologist.
    • 19 hours, 1 minute ago
      Ahh Life likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Four, because Medicare. I was fine going 2x/yr for decades before that. But Medicare doesn't care what your Dr thinks. Rules is rules.
    • 20 hours, 29 minutes ago
      Bruce Schnitzler likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      @George Lovelace. {{{{{Hugs}}}}} to you, sir. Are you getting support after the loss of your wife? I do hope so.
    • 21 hours, 3 minutes ago
      Mick Martin likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Medicare requires me to see my endo every 90 days if I want them to approve my insulin pump supplies....despite my very good control. Otherwise, my endo would be happy to see me twice a year. An example of Medicare being "penny-wise and pound-foolish" by paying for "medically-unnecessary" office visit costs.
    • 21 hours, 48 minutes ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      I am required to see my Endo every three months by Medicare. Otherwise, I'd probably go 2 times per year.
    • 21 hours, 48 minutes ago
      Marty likes your comment at
      How many times in 2023 did you have an appointment with your main T1D healthcare provider?
      Medicare requires me to see my endo every 90 days if I want them to approve my insulin pump supplies....despite my very good control. Otherwise, my endo would be happy to see me twice a year. An example of Medicare being "penny-wise and pound-foolish" by paying for "medically-unnecessary" office visit costs.
    • 1 day, 12 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Yes, I HATE FORMULARIES and how they control what medications I take, as opposed to what my doctors prescribed.
    • 1 day, 12 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I was with Caremark now with Optimum and not a fan but was not a fan of Caremark in the beginning. Not a fan of mail order insulin! Opimum (still not sure it is spelled right) made me change from Novalog to Humalog. Both are the same, sure, but why should a RX company say what insulin I should be taking. Is that not my endocrinologist job? Would they not know what is best for me? Kind of burns me up how healthcare has gone in the past 5 to 10 years, miss the old days of knowing your pharmacist by first name and talking to them about the latest advancements in diabetic care at the conner pharmacy. Patient is no longer a factor in the equation. sorry for the rant.
    • 1 day, 12 hours ago
      KarenM6 likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I didn't have to change but I couldn't get a new one from Caremark because it wasn't on the formulary. I used an AARP pharmacy card and got a $44 Rx for $18. Like Bob, I hate formulary!
    • 1 day, 15 hours ago
      Mick Martin likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Long-acting insulin changed from basaglar to lantus for the upcoming year. Not a big deal since she moved to a pump this past year.
    • 1 day, 15 hours ago
      Mick Martin likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I was with Caremark now with Optimum and not a fan but was not a fan of Caremark in the beginning. Not a fan of mail order insulin! Opimum (still not sure it is spelled right) made me change from Novalog to Humalog. Both are the same, sure, but why should a RX company say what insulin I should be taking. Is that not my endocrinologist job? Would they not know what is best for me? Kind of burns me up how healthcare has gone in the past 5 to 10 years, miss the old days of knowing your pharmacist by first name and talking to them about the latest advancements in diabetic care at the conner pharmacy. Patient is no longer a factor in the equation. sorry for the rant.
    • 1 day, 15 hours ago
      Mick Martin likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I have to change my insurance company now for 2024 so that i can continue to afford humalog. (or I have to switch to Lyumjev if I keep my current plan) I was startled to see that on my current plan, humalog would cost 16,000 next year (for the full year). Everyone, check your plans!
    • 1 day, 20 hours ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Yes, I HATE FORMULARIES and how they control what medications I take, as opposed to what my doctors prescribed.
    • 1 day, 20 hours ago
      lis be likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      I was with Caremark now with Optimum and not a fan but was not a fan of Caremark in the beginning. Not a fan of mail order insulin! Opimum (still not sure it is spelled right) made me change from Novalog to Humalog. Both are the same, sure, but why should a RX company say what insulin I should be taking. Is that not my endocrinologist job? Would they not know what is best for me? Kind of burns me up how healthcare has gone in the past 5 to 10 years, miss the old days of knowing your pharmacist by first name and talking to them about the latest advancements in diabetic care at the conner pharmacy. Patient is no longer a factor in the equation. sorry for the rant.
    • 1 day, 21 hours ago
      TEH likes your comment at
      In the past year, have you been required to change medications because of your health insurance?
      Yes, I HATE FORMULARIES and how they control what medications I take, as opposed to what my doctors prescribed.
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    Have you ever rationed insulin (taken less than you needed in an effort to prolong your supply)? If so, how recently have you rationed insulin?

    Home > LC Polls > Have you ever rationed insulin (taken less than you needed in an effort to prolong your supply)? If so, how recently have you rationed insulin?
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    If you or someone in your immediate family has T1D, has the rest of your family been screened for T1D antibodies? If no, do you think your immediate family would be willing to be screened for T1D antibodies?

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    Has your T1D healthcare provider ever asked you to fill out a questionnaire about your mental health during your visits?

    Sarah Howard

    Sarah Howard (nee Tackett) has dedicated her career to supporting the T1D community ever since she was diagnosed with T1D while in college in May 2013. Since then, she has worked for various diabetes organizations, focusing on research, advocacy, and community-building efforts for people with T1D and their loved ones. Sarah is currently the Senior Manager of Marketing at T1D Exchange. Sarah and her husband live in NYC with their cat Gracie. In her spare time, she enjoys doing comedy, taking dance classes, visiting art museums, and exploring different neighborhoods in NYC.

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    26 Comments

    1. Molly Jones

      Thank you! I have never needed to do so. So many things in life we take for granted, just read a book written a century or more ago or visit the hospital.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    2. Don (Lucky) Copps

      We have a huge conflict of interest between diabetic health, insurance allocation and insulin pricing. Long ago insulin pricing was not a big issue but given big Pharma greed everyone is concerned. Insurance companies now force doctors to write prescriptions with the daily insulin use on a per patient basis. As a result if you make any kind of mistake, have a sickness and/or a need to use more insulin you will get squeezed on when you can get your next available prescription. it is incredibly unfair on the patient, also unrealistic.

      7
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    3. Beth Franz

      Shameful to ever be put in this position in the first place and why as a patient we are forced to have these contingency plans to stay alive. I am a firm advocate of making insulin and cgm supplies OTC and prescription-free much like is done in other countries outside the U.S.

      4
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    4. rick phillips

      I was an undergraduate about 45 years ago. What a mess. Don’t ever do it – we have ways today to help you get insulin. I promise just reach out

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    5. Natalie Daley

      The copay for a two-month supply of Tresciba and Humologue is over $500, down from $727 a few years ago, due to recent legislation. I don’t eat lunch, which saves a third bolus and lowers Tresciba by a third, so I saved some money and lost 25 lbs, a win/win?

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    6. connie ker

      I have never rationed insulin, however my T1D husband and I shared the Lantus vial so we didn’t throw half of it away before it got impotent. That worked well; we didn’t share syringes or Humalog. It was a conservative way of not wasting insulin.

      2
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Steve Rumble

        My T1D wife and I did the same thing!

        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    7. Sasha Wooldridge

      I chose other because I don’t use less than I need, but try to need less insulin by changing my diet. It allows me to stockpile a bit just in case I’m in a prolonged bureaucratic runaround with providers, suppliers, insurance companies, and pharmacies.

      2
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    8. john36m

      It’s not exactly rationing, but as a pump user, I need to change the pump every 3 days. I try hard not to leave much or any extra in the pump when it is time to swap out.

      2
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    9. Sahran Holiday

      Years ago Omnipod would fail shortly after activating full of insulin. Insulet refused to replace the wasted insulin. Went to 2 meals a day to reduce the amount of insulin make it last.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
      1. Tod Herman

        Omnipod doesn’t tell you this (they probably cannot for liability reasons) but if your Pod died shortly (or anytime after starting it) you can extract most of the remaining insulin out of the Pod using the syringe from your next Pod kit

        1
        2 years ago Log in to Reply
    10. Kristine Warmecke

      Yes, I have been since starting on Medicare. As Novolog is not formulary in the state I live in. I have an exception for coverage, however my portion of it is $800+ a month; sorry on a fixed income no one can afford that.
      My endo and I have been waiting for 6 month’s to hear from Nova Nordisc to see if I’m approved for free Novolog.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    11. Henry Renn

      The results are true for T1s subscribing to td1exchange. to. Don’t think that any generalizations should be drawn from the results.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    12. Jana Wardian

      I have chosen not to eat as many carbs to reduce my insulin need.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    13. William Bennett

      Never rationed myself, but I have supplied insulin out of my backup stash to a T1 friend who had maxed out their pharmaceutical allotment and couldn’t afford paying the OTC price of ~$300.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    14. betsy valian

      I rationed insulin when in Central America, when the heat ruined most of my supply during a power outage….some countries aren’t as lucky as the USA w/ insulins, supplies and handling conditions…

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    15. Keira Thurheimer

      I am very lucky to have good insurance that has a $30 copay for a 3 month supply of insulin. My doctor also writes my prescription for an extra vial in case of greater needs or accidents. (I once had the bottom of a vial blow out when I injected air into it.) I have been able to build up a reserve, so I dont have to make the decision to ration.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    16. Ahh Life

      In my case, yes, recently. But on a very, very short-term basis. If I am away from home doing errands with only a few units remaining, I will sometimes correct less or bolus less in order to keep SOME basal insulin going until I can get home and recharge the pump. ¯\_( ͡❛ ͜ʖ ͡❛)_/¯

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    17. Amanda Barras

      No, I have never rationed. However I have had to buy Regular and NPH over the counter without a Rx to get me by when I ran out of prescribed insulin. Had that not been an option, then yes, I would have had to ration or go to hospital or doctors to seek emergency help.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    18. Mig Vascos

      Out of the commentaries, it seems like people have rationed insulin at times for reasons other than availability or cost. I’m not sure what this survey try to address: cost, availability or pump problems?
      I’ve been fortunate to always have enough insulin to cover my needs . Now a day being on a pump guarantees me Medicare coverage for insulin and my secondary insurance covers the rest of the deductible.
      The insurance plan I had before Obama cover my 3 month supply for just $10. How great!!! I know that change in insurance cover helped some people but it put me at a disadvantage. After struggling with different plans for a while I was able to get a plan that suits me.
      Also it’s important that the prescriber writes the prescription to cover the waste that some pumps have by deciding an infusion set change is needed when there’s still insulin in the cartridge.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    19. Nicholas Argento

      No- but I have been fortunate. Many others have not.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    20. Lynn Smith

      I agree with Tod Herman. I extract as much insulin out of my old pod using the syringe from the new pod and then in my insulin vial it goes. Never had a problem doing that, so I will continue. Just glad to hear someone else does that.

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    21. William Schaffer

      Mail order screw-ups made me ration Lantus. I thought that I had a standing order for refills, but found out I needed a new Rx.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    22. Bekki Weston

      My current Insurance coverage is generous and I don’t need to ration. However, a personal “ooops” recently caused me to ration my Tresiba. We left on a Thursday morning for a long weekend. That evening, I saw how small an amount was left in the pen. Instead of my usual 8 units, I lowered it to 6, and had 6 available to me each of the next three nights, until we left for home on Monday morning. Lesson learned: don’t just grab the pen….LOOK at it!

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    23. PamK

      I have never had to ration my insulin. I feel very sorry for those that do this as they put their health at risk. Most endocrine offices have samples available. So, for anyone reading this who is rationing their med(s), talk to your doctor to see if they can help you get what you need. Ask about samples – one or two pens can help get you through!

      1
      2 years ago Log in to Reply
    24. lis be

      I ration insulin at the end of most years (because I hit the insurance “donut hole” and want to wait to pay the extra money towards my deductible in the new year. It’s not a huge problem, I just cut back on my carbs to extend the insulin I have left.

      2 years ago Log in to Reply

    Have you ever rationed insulin (taken less than you needed in an effort to prolong your supply)? If so, how recently have you rationed insulin? Cancel reply

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