I realize there are a lot of folks out there struggling to pay for the basic supplies and medications they need to care for their diabetes. The high cost is one of the shittiest things about having this shitty disease, if you’ll excuse my candor.
I’m amazed at how many people on the new community write to say they don’t have adequate health insurance — or any coverage at all — can’t afford what they need, and don’t know where to turn. I had an 
email exchange with a disgruntled PWD named Ben last week who wrote me that “I can barely afford just my insulin and test strips. I only can because there was some sort of mistake with my old insurance that seems to let me continue to buy prescriptions. So you might understand why I’d get pissy about any sort of supplies one might get free that are a day’s wages for me… (I have) a tough time listening to people complain about expensive, essentially unaffordable, devices and support supplies that would make a huge positive impact in my life.”
I hear you. I get it. Healthcare in this country is messed up. I don’t have all the answers. I do plan to continue writing about new diabetes products — in the spirit of sharing and reaching out — in the hopes that others will respond in kind. Of course I wish I could make all these products affordable for everyone who could benefit! (btw, I ended up shipping my entire package of HealthSimple tools to Ben)
Meanwhile, I have learned about a great program that might offer a good glimmer of hope. It’s a resource for uninsured patients called TogetherRxAccess. If you currently have no prescription drug coverage and are not eligible for MediCare, you may well be eligible for the Together Rx Access Card, which gets you 25 to 40 percent off brand-name prescription products at pharmacies nationwide.
To be eligible, you also have to have a household income of less than $30,000 for a single person or $60,000 for a family of four (income eligibility is adjusted for family size), and you must be legal residents of the United States or Puerto Rico.
According to the press release: “The Together Rx Access Card was created by leading pharmaceutical companies to help hardworking Americans and their families gain access to immediate and meaningful savings on prescription products right at their neighborhood pharmacy. More than 300 brand-name prescription products are included, along with savings on a wide range of generics. Medicines in the Program include those used to treat high cholesterol, diabetes, depression, asthma, and many other common conditions. There are no enrollment costs, monthly dues, or hidden charges.”
Since this sounded almost too good to be true, I had to check the covered drug list to see if it included insulin and glucose testing supplies, along with oral drugs. Since Sanofi-Aventis is a sponsor, I found Lantus and Apidra listed. I also found test strips and monitor supplies from FreeStyle, OneTouch, and Abbott’s Precision Xtra. Not bad.
Note that anyone eligible for Together Rx Access may also qualify for additional savings on prescription medicines, or even free medicines, through other patient assistance programs run by the Partnership for Prescription Assistance (PPA). That one is “a clearinghouse for more than 475 public and private assistance programs, including 180 offered by pharmaceutical companies.” Part of the PPA’s mission is also to connect people to free health clinics in their community.
Not surprisingly in this economy, people are rushing to sign up for Together Rx Access in droves, at a rate of 10,000 new people every week, they tell me. In May, the group reached a milestone of 1.5 million cardholders. If you’re interested, visit the Together Rx Access web site, or call 1-800-966-0407.
All I can do is cross my fingers that posting this here will help some PWDs obtain what they need to take care of their health.
Not having insurance and a chronic (or any major) disease is a terrible predicament and for anybody living in Europe it is amazing that this problem cannot be rectified in the US for many years now. Providing a basic coverage to every resident (or at least citizen) of a country is the minimum one would expect in terms of societal solidarity. Try to fix the problem at the next election or move to Massachussetts
A related concern, for those of us who are fortunate to have medical insurance, is what to do with our supplies when treatments change? My dr. switched me from Humalog to Novalog because of some low bg’s, so the Humalog sat unsed in my refrigerator until it expired. Since starting an insulin pump, boxes of pen needles and syringes sit in my closet unused.
I know there are people struggling to buy basic supplies, and I wish there were a way to legally “donate” these to someone who needs them more than I do. But I know my insurance company would object (the policy only covers ME, not others), and there are probably laws against transferring prescription items anyway.
What have people done in this type of situation?
Any clues as to how much the reduction is on test strips with the TogetherRX. I use the TogetherRx for my Lantus and it knocks off about $20 dollars. I doubt the test strips price could beat what I pay from the internet i.e. 50 dollars cheaper than retail per box of 100.
Hi Scott,
Check out this video & links section on how to get rid of your excess supplies and insulin:
http://tudiabetes.com/video/video/show?id=583967%3AVideo%3A159668
Hope that helps!
whenever I go to my doc I ask for samples. I usually recieve about 4-6 vials of insulin from my endo when I do this. I had used One Touch test strips in the past but I now use CVS true track meter with their true track test strips and have cut my strip costs in half, I pay 51.00 for 100 test strips, where One touch is over 100.00 for the same amount. When I have a scrip change and have things I cannot use any more I will take them to mt doctors office and ask them to please give to someone who can use them. I just make sure that they are still in date.
It never hurts to ask your physician for samples of meds. they have closets in some offices that are full of meds that the pharma co’s give to them to give to patients. When they prescribe an insulin change ask for a sample vial. If they are just trying something new why pay for a scrip taht may not work. Ask for a sample for thr trial period. Then fill it if it works.I have the Together RX I used it for One Touch strips and it knocked about 25.00 off. It was still more cost effective to go with the CVS system and strips.
Everybody should ask for samples. It doesn’t hurt to ask and most of the time they have it just sitting in the back. Give it a try.
If you live in Orange County, CA, you should look into the MSI Program (known as either Medical Services for Indigents or Initiative, depending on if you get an updated pamphlet). I am currently unemployed and qualified after having knee surgery last year. Eligibility lasts 12 months and they are now covering more routine medical care, not just major operations. I’m able to get my insulin and thyroid medication for free. There is an income limit but isn’t per household. The web site is http://www.ochealthinfo.com/medical/msi/
The current solutions to the high cost of health care and supplies are like putting a band-aid over a gaping wound. We have to take a stand against the insurance companies’ stranglehold over every aspect of health care. It’s always in their interest to avoid paying for something, even when a denial means that people will suffer. I hope that with the change of presidential administration we’ll get some new thinking on this issue.
It’s also worth mentioning to your doctor if you’re having a hard time paying for things. My doctor let me know that I qualify for free testing supplies and syringes, and I had already checked that PPA site with no luck. I’m still not sure why I qualify for this program, but the $2,000 a year savings is making a huge difference for me.
Resource Update…
UPDATE TO THE UPDATE: Amy at DiabetesMine reports that there’s a new prescription drug program for folks without prescription coverage (and who aren’t eligible for MediCare). TogetherRxAccess is actually a service of nasty ol’ Big Pharma, which cont…
Thank God , my diabetic pills are only $4.00. The test strips is what’s a killer, even at Wal-Mart they are $54.00 for fifty and when you test like you should, that runs into some money, however I did find a web site where you can get them for around $ 24.00 plus shipping. Like so many others I have no insurance either. If anyone is interested the web site is healthwarehouse.com. No I’m not advertising for them, It’s just when I can find a bargan, I’m willing to share the information. Saving any amout is great and I hope this helps some of you.
I have a perpay insuance.My husband still works.
my co-pay is 410.00 monthly.
I get $534 Social Security.
We have a yearly income of $36,000
Thank GOD for what we have.
GOD BLESS every one.
Thank you for the information. Keep up the good work. I just joined this community, although I have had diabetes for 8 years. The last few years I have not taken care of myself as well as I should have. That has cost more in $ and quality of life. I feel more confident with the help of everyone in the community and the info that you all have provided.
Blessed Be.
Thank you for your information. Every little bit helps.
Blessed Be
Are you on Medicare? If so have physician write scrip for you. They pay for my strips. Hope this helps if you are.
I get my insulin and testing supplies at Walmart. Eli Lilly makes ReliOn exclusively for Walmart. ReliOn insulin is $24.88 a bottle. Their meter is only $8 and the strips are $36 for 100. I was looking at a cost of over $700/month before asking my doctor to switch all my prescriptions over to the ReliOn brands. Now I’m at only around $100/month. Still expensive, but a lot more reasonable and managable.