Some things in life are hard to afford. Diabetes care shouldn’t be one of them. So, what are ways to make staying healthy affordable?
Here are some areas of focus to keep you from breaking the bank.
Table of contents
- Stay Within Network
- Set a Personalized Goal
- Savings Programs
- Eat Smart
- Sources
Stay Within Network
When working on your diabetes care journey, it’s important to consider coverage. If you’re insured, it’s smart to stay within your insurance network.
Staying with recommended providers keeps costs at an all-time low. From appointments and copays to better coverage.
To find out what providers are covered by your network, visit your insurance company’s website or give them a call.
Set a Personalized Goal
Regularly meeting with your care team doesn’t just keep you on track. You can also set personalized blood sugar goals, leading to better care and lower costs.
A 2017 study shows that patients with diabetes who personalized their blood sugar goals saved a lifetime average of $13,547.1 This is mainly due to lower medication costs.
By targeting personal symptoms, family history, and age, your doctor can make a plan best fit for you — and your budget.
Savings Programs
There’s a variety of savings programs available. From prescription coupons to device and insulin support.
Savings initiatives are available through the pharmacy, online retailers like Amazon, as well as home-delivery subscription services.
There are also programs to save on insulin costs. Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi all offer patient assistance. Whether it’s capping a copay cost or helping uninsured or in-need patients.2
You can always ask your healthcare provider for more information on affordable medications.
Eat Smart
Diabetes care isn’t just about doctors and medication. It’s also about diet. So, it’s important to make smart eating choices. That includes financial choices.
One way to do that is through meal prepping. Buying in bulk and planning ahead leads to less spending.
By preparing larger meals, storing them away for the future, and planning ahead, you waste far less food. Which means you waste far less money. Every penny counts. So, build your grocery list around specific, easily reheated meals.
Sources
- https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/M17-0537
- https://www.healthline.com/diabetesmine/saving-money-diabetes-medications-and-supplies#Utilize-insulin-discounts-and-savings-programs
- https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/education/staying-healthy-on-a-budget/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/16-tips-to-help-you-afford-your-diabetes-medication-and-supplies#where-to-start
- https://health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/articles/2018-01-12/how-to-better-manage-diabetes-and-save-money-doing-it
- https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/blog/2013/08/top-5-benefits-of-going-in-network.html
- https://www.diabeteseducator.org/practice/practice-tools/app-resources/affordability-resources
- https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/save-money.html
